Alaskan Baltic Porter (Pilot Series) - Alaskan Brewing Co.

mrkc

Alaska

4.8/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

65.1 cL bottle - that's a strange volume. Still, a dark purple label with the vintage clearly noted. There's no head, just the thinnest of tan rings around this dark, opaque beer. It smells of vinella and cherries, a rich sweet smell which just barely masks the alcohol smell. It smells a bit like molassass - potentially the brown sugar used in making this. The smoky oak flavour and the brown sugar really carry through the drink. If you let it linger, the cherries really come through on the finish. It's a tad dry, and the alcohol content periodically comes through. There's a bit of bitterness, like cross between licorice and dark chocolate, that's hard to place. Eminently drinkable, this is a phenomenal brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 01:52:22 | More by mrkc

dragonWhale

New York

4.55/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

09 poured with the most delicate hand into a chalice.
dark brown, date-like color, amber-fringed, sexy. hike up that skirt a little more..the murky much hides much.
big alcohol aroma still evident after 8 months aging. cherries and vanilla up front and personal.
there is a slight astringency, probably from the oak, that is immediately apparent. the alcohol's heat is not distracting from the overall impression this beer makes, which is that of an outstandingly spiced baltic porter, robust and salutatory.
brilliant with midnight bacon and eggs.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 07:53:07 | More by dragonWhale

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.88/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2008 bottle

A - It pours the deepest possible hue of mahogany-crimson, capped with a persistent crown of sandalwood-colored froth. Quite impressive.

S - Deep maltiness punctuated by notes of oak, vanilla and the most delectably sophisticated nuance of cherry.

T - The flavor takes the elements of the nose and runs with it. The flavor profile is so richly complex; succulent notes of malt-driven caramel and toffee yield to rich impressions of chocolate covered cherries, delicious oaken butteriness (not diacetyl), faint mulled spice. No matter how I try to articulate its greatness, I will necessarily understate it. Also getting: molasses, brown sugar, vanilla, floral jasmine and the faintest hint of smoke. Nutty too. What a powerhouse!

M - Excellent; silky, velvety, delectable.

D - ISO more of this immediately.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 03:37:07 | More by ktrillionaire

klikger

Wisconsin

4.58/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber served in a tulip.

A - Very dark brown, not much head or lacing.

S - Dark chocolate-covered cherries, coffee, brown sugar, and molasses. I just drooled on myself.

T - Vanilla and booze --> oak, a flood of cherries and chocolate --> more vanilla, more oak, more chocolate --> end is woody (& yes, chocolaty) and not too sweet (surprisingly).

M - Medium-bodied - pretty awesome that it's this light with having so much flavor.

D - Should be sipped to fully appreciate, but it's easy going down.

Star of the night...awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 22:30:59 | More by klikger

Pabs311

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 vintage

A- Beer pours super dark, with some red highlights shining through. the head is thin, creamy, beige hangs around shortly and then settles to leave minimal lacing on the glass.

S- the nose on this beer is awesome. chocolate covered cherries, coconut, vanilla, toffee all come through. aromas meld together quit lovely making this a awesome beer to smell.

T- very similar to the nose. well blanced between all the flavors. chocolate and cherries are most forward and the remaining flavors that the coconut and oak add in compliment very nicely. very tasty brew.

M/D - Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. coats palate great and just what i like to see from a porter as far as mouthfeel. i wish i could get this beer on the east coast, it would be my go-to for porters.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 18:12:38 | More by Pabs311

6DaysBottomOcean

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark with a small creamy head that dies down to a cap, smells.. belgian? Man this thing seems like a quad, aromas of plums, figs, raisins.. Flavor seems that way too, there's a warming alcohol that heats up on the back end but doesn't get in the way. Lots of dark fruits, caramel, sweet malts, very slight roastieness hidden in the background. This is a nice beer, but nothing like any other baltic porter I've had, would do well with some age of it.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 01:07:54 | More by 6DaysBottomOcean

laituegonflable

Australia

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish-tinged dark, dark brown colour. Head is ochre, thin and bubbly, with lacing that is decent but doesn't really stick. Nice colour; head is a bit lacklustre but a quick swill revives it nicely with delicious reverse cascading. Nice.

Smells quite dark and sour, with a really odd cherry note coming through and a real liqueury bitterness. Some coconut notes coming through as well; if there were more chocolate this would smell like a cherry ripe. It's quite sour overall though and more sweetness would be pleasant. Impressive, though, and I'm most definitely intrigued.

Taste has lots of coconut on it. A slight cherry sourness as well, and hints of copper. Sweet with touches of mild coffee on the back. Some vinous notes on the mid that also add a touch of booziness to proceedings and yeah, some dark fruits like currants/raisins on there as well. Nicely tart to go with the mild darkness.

Texture is a bit thin but there is a decent foaminess on there as well. Yeah pretty nice, I quite like it.

An interesting drop. Plenty of flavour but nothing really overly bold or dark. A nice full-flavoured porter.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 01:22:20 | More by laituegonflable

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.6/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a deep dark brown, with surprisingly good clarity, and hints of ruby at the edges. Head is a foamy mess of crunchy light brown, which leaves sudsy, foaming lacing as the beer goes down. Looks quite wonderful.

Big blackcurrant notes on the nose, mingled with darker notes of oak and spicy charred grain. Hints of oatmeal, coconut and red wine shine through too. Oh man, this is freaking delicious. So much complexity, but all so well melded and integrated. Really lovely.

Taste is also beautiful. Big redolent notes of oak and grain, but subtly and deliciously sweetened by characters of dark fruit and chocolate, then layered with light vinous acidity and fresh coconut juice. Really, really lovely. Feel is smooth, but not too heavy.

Such an exceptionally smooth and deliciously drinkable beer. For all its complexity, depth, alcohol content and pure unadulterated strength, it comes out comforting and delicious. What a fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 07:05:59 | More by lacqueredmouse

scottfrie

California

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into snifter. 2009 edition.

A: Pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a thin dark brown head that receded into a thin film that left a few spots of lacing.
S: I pick up the cherries, vanilla and oak that this is brewed with. Big warm notes of alcohol as well. Maybe a touch of chocolate.
T: Rich flavors of chocolate covered cherries and creamy crème brulee. The oak is right there adding a musty woody flavor that blends well with the strong warm alcohol. There is an overall sweetness to the brew from the brown sugar with hints of dark fruits throughout.
M: Full bodied with a light, velvety smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol is rich and pleasant.
D: A great sipper. Very bold and delicious. So much flavor it's hard to deal with!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2010 02:27:21 | More by scottfrie

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to jedwards for sharing this - I've been wanting to try it for a while now. 2009 vintage poured two shades shy of black with an almost wine-like hue. Head was half an inch, loose and tan-colored and quickly dissipated into a bubbly skim that coalesced around the edges. Nose reveals cherries, cocoa, booze and a trace of wood. Taste follows nose; however, some raisins and prunes also come out in the flavor profile. Mouthfeel was light-medium with a mild, even carbonation. An interesting brew with a fair amount of complexity and a well-hidden abv. Quite tasty, but doesn't touch Smutty's Baltic Porter.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2010 00:55:08 | More by Jwale73

homebrew311

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Stumbled upon some bottles of this while in Juneau. It wasn't until after I purchased it that I realized it was brewed with cherry, vanilla, oak, and brown sugar. I must say, I am extra excited to try this one now.

A: pours a dark brown with ruby highlight, some light passes through, thin head and little lacing

S: whiskey soaked cherries up front pair huge vanilla bean character and some gentle notes of oak and chocolate round out the aroma. Lots going on here. The cherry smells borderline artificial, but the chocolate and roast comes quickly to save the day.

T: some sweetness up front with notes of cherry. The cherry tastes much more natural than it smells and pairs nicely with the vanilla profile. The oak melds in nicely as this beer finishes with some roast. The taste is wonderful. This is an excellent dessert beer.

MF: thin for a baltic porter, the big flavor makes up for this, medium carbonation

D: this beer has a ton of things going on and I must say it is well executed. A beer with all of these specialty ingredient could easily turn out to be a mess, but Alaskan brewing company pulled it off nicely.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2010 23:56:06 | More by homebrew311

DoubleJ

California

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From a 22 ounce bottle poured by Halcyondays. Thanks for going to Arizona for this. On to the beer:

I would like to see a little more head to this blackwater, but that's a minor complaint to this gem. The nose is big, starting out with lots of licorice, then moving on to toasted oak and semi-sweet chocolate. The flavor starts well too; I get the oak (but it tastes more like it came from a bourbon barrel), chocolate brownies, a touch of vanilla, toasted. The intensity of the flavors cahnges as the beer's journey goes on, changing to being less oak and more sweet. The vanilla aftertaste is very appealing, as is the hidden booze and well controlled big body.

Could I do 22 ounces of it? Yeah, I probably could, but Alaskan needs to get this style to Orange County for me to find out.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 03:59:12 | More by DoubleJ

Halcyondays

California

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber, great label, brought back from AZ, 2009 Vintage,

A: Pours black as night, with a medium off-white head, light lace.

S: Not huge at first, but in the end there comes a nice mix of cherries, licorice, brown sugar, some tar and oak. Good nose with a little coaxing.

T: What I first notice is how the oak and vanilla flavours combine to form a bourbon barrel flavour. This beer is not bourbon barrel aged, but it sure tastes like it is. Dark cherries and the brown sugar come out a bit as it warms, and in the end the beer is dominated by great dark chocolate flavour which I really liked.

M: Medium/full-bodied, silky smooth, the booze is lightly noticable but works with the flavours here and adds to the smoothness.

D: This is a really good beer, not outstanding, but really good. Just missing another layer of complexity. I have no idea why this is not distributed in CA, but it is in AZ which is farther away. This will definitely sell. Alaskan - I don't care if you don't distribute the barleywine, switch it out for this. I'm not buying the barleywine again, but I'd definitely buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 02:08:46 | More by Halcyondays

levifunk

Wisconsin

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this at a small tasting. This was the biggest surprise of the night. Pours dark with a nice head, but I could immediately smell sweet cherry and vanilla. The taste was phenomenal. My biggest complaint with porters is that they seem to taste like watered down stouts, but this was not the case at all. There is a great oak and malt backbone in this beer. The cherry an vanilla are in no way overpowering nor lacking....spot on. Very drinkable. This is simply a great beer!

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 15:10:57 | More by levifunk

Xul

California

4.18/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours dark brown with deep ruby highlights, capped by a foamy, one finger beige head with moderate retention.

S: Dark caramel base with a strong brown sugar presence, along with some maple syrup like character. Vanilla and dark cherries are evident, along with some boozy notes swirling around in the background. Light oakiness that becomes stronger as it warms.

T: Starts out with brown sugar and some faint dark cherries, but quickly opens up into a much bigger dark fruit character along with vanilla and some dark chocolate. Oak stays in the background while roasted coffee comes in near the end. Long finish of roasted coffee and dark cherries.

M: Medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation, a bit too thin and fizzy.

D: Relatively easy to drink for such a big beers, but the alcohol isn't entirely hidden and the mouthfeel detracts a bit. Still an overall great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2010 21:08:24 | More by Xul

kels

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cheers to colts9016 for this excellent 2009 vintage.

Pours super-dark brown, nearly black with a 2 finger lofty cocoa-colored had. It fades fairly quickly into the opaque liquid and leaves behind a soft ring and spots of thin lace.

Smell is rich and delicious, full, thick and syrupy with a mapley presence. Cherry sweetness provides a fruity dimension.

Taste is very bold and flavorful. The wood chips definitely come through along with syrupy cherry and caramel malt that's so roasty it borders on coffee-like. Feel is moderate, somewhat carbonated, slick and sticky with a dry roastiness that provides great dimension in the beer.

Drinkability isn't as low as expected based on the ABV. It is tasty with a complimentary body that makes it go down pretty smoothly. Really nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 01:08:35 | More by kels

pwoods

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Kelley for sharing this brew.

22oz. Brown bottle poured into tulip.

A: Pours a very deep brown, nearly opaque in the light. Moderate head on the pours with some retention and some lacing.

S: Lots of dark fruits and a good mellowed alcohol. Nice rich malts that aren't overly rich or sweet.

T/M: Nice full flavor malts but not too rich or cloying. Lots of chocolate and dark caramel. Very pleasant alcohol. Dark fruits and a richness that grows as it warms. Body is full and rich but not thick and cloying.

D: Still pretty drinkable for a big as it is.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 02:17:02 | More by pwoods

arizcards

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a bomber from AJ's in Scottsdale in late February for $8.99. Bottled in September 2009.

Beer poured black as night with a nice tan head. Nose is cherry, vanilla, and hints of bourbon. Taste is sweet, cherry vanilla complements a huge malt backbone, oak chips and dry hops are in the finish. Alcohol was very warming with the initial sips. Mouthfeel is full, and creamy smooth. Drinkability is good, this is the ideal beer for kicking back after a nice dinner in front of the fireplace! Glad to have tried it!

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 21:49:48 | More by arizcards

beerdrifter

Germany

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at a great beer store, Tops Liquor, while at a conference in Phoenix. Dark ruby-black pour with a nice caramel colored head that quickly fades with minimal lacing. Huge complex nose with hints of oak, vanilla, chocolate, roasted coffee, molasses, and a subtle hint of alcohol, smoke and cherries. The taste is all oak and bourbon. And the cherries that were subtle in the nose jump out, along with rasins, coffee, chocolate and dark fruit. Great creamy mouthfeel with perfect carbonation. I'm not a big Porter or Stout guy, but this is one incredible beer. Highly drinkable considering the alcohol. Will definitely seek this out again!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 16:37:07 | More by beerdrifter

mdfb79

New York

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 5/21/10 notes. Had at a local DC tasting. 2009 vintage.

a - Pours a dark brown color, with 2 inches of brown head and light carbonation.

s - Smells of oak, whiskey, dark fruits, caramel malts, and vanilla. Wonderful combination.

t - Tastes of vanilla, oak, whiskey, and roasted malts.

m - Very smooth and creamy, medium body and low
carbonation.

d - I thought this was a great porter. Wonderful vanilla, oak, and whiskey in the smell and taste. Would love to try again.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2010 00:00:51 | More by mdfb79

emmasdad

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with a crisp, inviting black hue, with some light tan ahead resting upon the surface. Good aromas here, cherry, roasted malt and cocoa powder. Flavors of dried cherries, oak, vanilla, chocolate and roasted malt. This is a very good beer, so much so that I immediately ran out and picked up another.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 02:58:29 | More by emmasdad

DaveHS

California

3.13/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a dark burgundy color with a thin tan head. Lacing in
minimal. The nose is heavy on oak, vanilla, and dark fruit. Slightly
sharp from the high ABV. A light aroma of toffee. Mouthfeel is
medium to full bodied, with a rich, roasty finish. Heavy vanilla
dominates, followed by touches of oak, cherry, toffee, dark chocolate and licorice. Boozy, cloyingly sweet, and overdone. Aging might help this one along.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 20:58:29 | More by DaveHS

jdense

Oregon

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Uncle Sam's Saloon, Kennewick, WA. 3.20.2010, poured into unchilled pint glass (thanks for remembering!) $4.25.

One finger tan head, medium dissipation with some lacing present. Dark brown opaque body, hard to decipher any visible carbonation. Nose is smoky, probably from roasted and/or smoked malt, some caramel sweetness with floral hops. Taste doesn't have as much smokiness as the nose, a bit less chocolate than I expected, not sure of cleanliness of line, I detect a bit of butterscotch or diacytel, ugh. Mouthfeel is full and smooth. Need to be careful of this high ABV, but certainly a nice representative of this difficult to nail style. Curious how cellaring will effect this beer. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2010 15:00:14 | More by jdense

cavedave

New York

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yet more big thanks to sirdrinknp for another stunning pick.

Pours an opaque dark brown, topped by a long lasting, thick lather of a head. A nice skim hangs in there.

Not to be funny, but all the smells suggested by the label info. are in this luscious bouquet in clean delicious glory. Sweet cherries, dark cherries, vanilla, and a rich oaky underpinning, all holding hands with caramel, and mildly roasty malt, with hints of tart yeast in there giving it a true to style appeal and taste.

Taste is confirmation in the best way. A thick but light drinking flavor cavalcade proceeds to seduce and win over my palate. Big vanilla and cherry, nicely balance roasty malt, caramel, sugar sweet, hints of herbal bitter just behind, with a hint of tart yeast that ices the cake.

Moouthfeel is very viscous, low carb. clean on palate, long juicy finish. Nice.

Drinkability is staggeringly good. Alcohol exceptionally well hidden for its size.

Impression: This is a must try for all fine beer lovers looking for exemplars of style.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 21:52:49 | More by cavedave

ncfrey

New Mexico

4.7/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes taken 4-11-2010. Bomber into New Belgium glass.

a - Pours a very dark brown, almost black, with red highlights and a thin, quickly dissipating tan head. Looks to have good carbonation. Worth mentioning that I really like the label on this bottle.

s - Super strong, getting lots of big dark fruits from a foot away. More of that and lots of vanilla, an almost bourbon-like smell. Very sweet, some roastiness and coffee underneath. Reminds me of Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout (which reminds me of the yams my dad used to make for holiday dinners, with loads of bourbon and marshmallows on top).

t - Again, reminds me of Bourbon County a bit. The vanilla beans and (surprisingly) brown sugar are very apparent, fruitiness is definitely present but more subdued than in the nose. There's a slight bitterness in the middle but a smooth-as-silk, sweet, burnt sugar finish that reminds me, again, of toasted marshmallows.

mf - Fantastic. Creamy and tongue-coating, but not super heavy. This is the best non-chewable mf I've encountered.

d - Despite the ABV and sweetness, this bomber is going fast. I could see 2 of these to get me through a cold winter night.

I was really excited to try this beer (based on other BA reviews), and it totally exceeded my expectations in all respects. I just wish I could find it in New Mexico.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 18:59:47 | More by ncfrey