Driven Snow - Leech Lake Brewing Company

shadow1961

Minnesota

2.9/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Leech Lake's Driven Snow Porter pours a disk of tan foam over a black brew. Carbonation seems moderate, and I'm picking up aromas of mocha, dark fruit, and a funky vinous note. I'm tasting a bit of molasses and that mocha from the nose again, but unfortunately everything is overshadowed by a fairly assertive lactic tartness. Mouthfeel is light and very very dry. That sourness was a big problem for me inasmuch as that flavor really doesn't have a place in this style- I'm wondering if there wasn't a production issue- like maybe a bug loose somewhere in the brewhouse. A bit of a disappointment for a new brewery which has, so far, had some pretty solid offerings

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 09:23:02 | More by shadow1961

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Black bodied beer with a thin cap of brown head. Lacing is fairly substantial. Aroma is great. Roasted malts, chocolate, malted milk balls....Flavor is very enjoyable. This is like a chocolate beer shake. Milk chocolate, mocha, java, bitter roasted malts, the list goes on. Nice lingering roasted bitterness. So easy to drink and so flavorful. Body is a little light and the carbonation is fairly low. Alcohol is nowhere to be seen. This is great as is and top notch with a few minor adjustments to mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 05:28:50 | More by Bighuge

deadbody

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +43.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Outstanding porter. Had one fresh off a new keg that was delivered that day.

Super dark with a thick creamy light caramel colored head. Outstanding smell, a bit of bitterness with rich malts. Great taste, bits of coffee, chocolate, and some hops bittering. Superb mouthfeel, thick and rich, like drinking a loaf of bread.

Super drinkable, would love to have more of this, actually planning a trip to go and get a couple growlers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 15:23:26 | More by deadbody

ZAP

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a dark brownish/black with ruby highlight..little head

S-Roasty with notes of milk chocolate, coffee and cream.

T-Nice and richly flavored with dimensions of chocolate, a lightly burnt maltiness, and a small hit of caramel/molasses sweetness. I REALLY like the flavor of this one. Light spicy kick on the finish most likely from the 60 IBU Fuggles.

M-Lower carbonation as I am finding with all the LL beers but this one works fine with the lower carbonation. Creamy and smooth drinking. Seems substantial. I'd call the body on the high side of medium.

D-Definitely the best of their regular offerings and well worth seeking out. I think this compares favorably (not saying it is better or worse but in the ballpark) with the top porters I have had.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 19:50:39 | More by ZAP