Santa's Little Helper - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very thick IS. Pours black with white head. Roasty aroma, instense, with coffee and chocolate. Bold taste has East Kent Goldings, Mt. Hood, Liberty, and Challenger hops. On the sweet side, with brown sugar. Drinkable though alcohol is powerful stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 04:33:50 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.35/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Chimney soot black with the slimmest sliver of dark mahogany along the bottom edge of the glass. The densely bubbled crown is the exact color of golden brown sugar, an ingredient used during brewing if my source is correct. As the foam slooowly melts, a solid sheet of lace is beginning to be laid down. This is what an RIS ought to look like.

The nose reflects the murderer's row of malts used. Obviously, the lighter members of the malt bill are completely obliterated by chocolate, black and roasted. The brown sugar is hard to isolate. It's more of a melted bittersweet chocolate and molasses cocktail of an aroma. Oh yeah, with a bunch of citric and piney hops for good measure.

If you like your Russian Imperial stouts to be hopped to the gills, then sign up to be Santa's Little Helper. I might have classified it as an American double stout for that very reason, but RIS works as well... unless you're a real stickler when it comes to style assignment. Since these guys brew in hop-crazed Southern California, the big hops aren't a big surprise.

To be world-class, this seasonal needs a few more shovelfuls of malt. It seems a fraction light (for the style), but is beginning to prove that initial observation wrong as it warms a few degrees. There's a fair amount of sweetness that is in no danger of becoming cloying due to the rampaging little green cones. It's obvious that this batch is on the fresh side.

The flavor profile follows the nose directly. Charred malts give a pleasing, sooty smokiness and a caramelized sugar character to the brew that makes me think that it spent some time in bourbon barrels, although I don't believe it did. Blackstrap molasses is still at full boil and anise filters in at the edges.

SLH is one of the hoppiest Imperial stouts that I've had in quite some time. That could be because I rarely review them fresh. The end result is that every malty jab is met with equal force by a resinous hoppy uppercut. The Scotch pine-like flavor of the hops gives the beer a certain Christmas tree flair. Maybe that was intended.

The body/mouthfeel has improved noticeably from a starting temperature of 50 degrees to a current estimated temperature of 60 degrees. It still isn't massive enough for the big numbers to be granted, but I'm enjoying its impeccable smoothness and its lightly sticky finish.

Screw the milk and cookies. Santa needs to take a load off his feet and polish off a bomber of this wonderful stout before going back out into the winter wonderland to pass out more gifts. Thanks to Port Brewing for giving me my Christmas present a few days early.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2007 23:00:07 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I finally get a chance to try this one this year. I had somehow not run across one previously and was not about to make that same mistake this year. I let this one warm up to around 50 degrees and then proceeded to pour it into an oversized wine glass. Consumed on 10/28/2008.

The pour was very nice. A very rich, and very deep, dark black color came gurgling out of the bottle, splashing down into the glass and rising up a tremendous head. Three solid inches of chocolate colored foam then spread throughout the glass, clinging to everything that it came across, all the while slowly settling down into the abyss below it.

The aroma was very big, very full. Lots of cocoa, dark chocolate like notes, hints of light coffee and a touch of licorice all mixed in very subtly. An almost smoky, peat like touch added in as well, as there was no mistaking that this was not going to be one to fool with this time around. The flavor was almost as rich and full. Nice notes of chocolate, bitter touches mixed in throughout providing a decent amount of depth to it. An interesting mix of cookie dough and what seemed like licorice mid palate, which suddenly dove into a burnt malt like flavor. Smooth and creamy, with a subtle carbonation profile, that did not let it come off as too terribly big. I was able to struggle through the bottle, not due to the flavor, but it was strong, this beer was not messing around.

Overall I have to say I really thought it was excellent. For a nice seasonal release, this was pretty damn good. Solidly positioned in the second tier of the big RIS's, I would not want to miss this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2008 00:02:41 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from the 2009 release.

A: The pour is almost black with a thin mocha colored head.

S: There's a big dark fruit aroma right off the bat. Lots of plums, prunes, cherries, and figs. Lots of roasted malts, a bit of burnt sugar, approaching ash, but works quite well. Some licorice and a bit of alcohol, too.

T: Tons and tons of roast, lots of burnt sugar, licorice, and molasses. There's a slight bitterness to it, likely from the roasted malts. The fruit character is not as pronounced as on the nose, but still there.

M: The body is medium with a low to moderate level of carbonation and a bit of warming alcohol.

D: For a big beer like this, it's pretty easy to drink and quite enjoyable (probably the best of the Santa's vintages I've tried).

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 07:16:09 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to checkii for sending this out as an extra. It was enjoyed in early Autumn around a campfire with some good friends. Poured into a snifter.

I really enjoyed the barrel-aged version of this, so I had some high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite my favorite. Color was essentially black with a half-finger mocha head that quickly faded. The nose brought some strongly-roasted malt as well as a bit of black licorice, chocolate, and some really light smoke.

The taste brought a good dose of booze as well as some roast and chocolate. Additionally, I also got some slight dark fruit and the smoke coming back again. Body was nice and full with a bit of smoke and then there was a light amount of carbonation. Drank fairly well, but not up to the caliber that I expect from Port.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 03:05:34 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle - $6.99 at Olde Crabapple Bottle Shoppe in Alpharetta, Georgia. Bottled 8/25/11.

Appearance: Pours a silken black body with a rather tall, long-lasting, dark tan head.

Smell: Highly roasted coffee beans with a pinch of unsweetened chocolate, a drizzle of alcohol, some scorched sugars, a bit of slow-pouring molasses, and some leafy, almost mint-like hops tucked in back.

Taste: A deep sip of cold Dutch cocoa with a growing taste of Italian roast coffee beans followed by sweet additions of chewy molasses cookies and caramel. Modest fruitiness in the background. That hard roastiness carries onward. Leafy hops, moderately bitter joining in with the continued roasted quality of the grains. Alcohol is certainly noted but it's still fairly well-integrated. Roasty, malty

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Lightly carbonated. Smooth mouthfeel.

Overall: It's well-rounded in that you've got your boldness, bitterness, and more than enough booze in this one. I'll (pass out) like a baby tonight!

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 23:42:40 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 bottling; consumed 3/21/10

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown with auburn highlights but only a wisp of a head that quickly fritters away

Smell: Dark chocolate and dark fruit; still boozy with a hint of minty hops

Taste: Dark chocolate and fruit, up front, with the boozy alcohol making its presence felt by mid-palate, along with a bit of residual hop bitterness, even after all this time; after the swallow, tobacco and chocolate notes dominate the finish

Mouthfeel: Thick bodied with low carbonation

Drinkability: This is one fine RIS; just wish it had a bit more carbonation but it still tantalizes the tastebuds

Thanks, mreusch (from the other site), for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 23:14:27 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage.

Pours a thick pitch black with a tiny 1/2 inch chocolate milk colored head. Smells of roasted coffee/espresso beans, bittersweet chocolate, molasses. Very rich and delicious smells. Taste is of roasted coffee, cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate. Pronounced bitterness on the tongue after each sip. I was not expecting this level of bitterness from a RIS. Light to medium level of carbonation allows for the beer's smoothness to come out. Somewhat of a medium body on this beer. Drinkability is good on this Christmas seasonal. Something I will buy every year from now on.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2011 04:09:31 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a light foamy head with good retention and some very good lacing. Aroma of black chocolate is quite intense with some light roasted malt notes also discernable. Taste is somewhat vinous with some great black chocolate notes, light dry roasted malt notes. Full body with some good carbonation and no discernable alcohol. Creamy texture is really enjoyable. Very complex but still very enjoyable and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 19:26:43 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured jet black with only faint ruby hue when held up to the light,a large mocha colored head atop.Dark fruit stands out most in the nose along with bitter chocolate and dark roast,the fruitiness is the main component going on here.A little more sharp than I like in the feel but it's not overly annoying.Dark fruit and black licorice flavors at the start with some earthy tones and unsweetened chocolate as well,a nice complex palate.A good close to great RIS,tweek the mothfeel and it is great,I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 22:06:57 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a wine glass.

I once had a knockoff version of this. I shoulda been tipped-off by the name "Santos L. Halper". This genuine article pours a straight black-brown topped by a healthy brown foam. The nose comprises chocolate, roasted malts, molasses; just a nice, rich RIS smell. The taste brings forth more of the same, but with an uptick in roasted malts and a few extra pinches of cocoa powder. The body is pretty thick, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly chewy feel. Overall, a lovely impy stout, one that seems to live up to a good amount of the hype.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 21:54:19 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Every year Santa works up that famous list, He takes notes of who's been naughty...

ah, F* it, I', m not gonna quote the whole label....surely someone else will, and I'm off the hook ....
Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper...
Dark as heck, slimmish head, tannish color.bubbles round the rim.

Aroma: big time whiskey, out loud and proud bourbon, sweetness, and molasses, and some charcoal, some chocolate. Sweet succor, and depth, undeniable deep and far-fetching flavors.

Taste: all of those and more. Mucho chocolate, Mucho mucho. Big, sweet, rich and unrelenting. Full, rich, rewarding, big and chocolatey, huge and bourbony...

It's so delicious. Mmm, mmm-tddyy, -mmm, mmm, mmm.

Wait, what was that...it was ...oooh, ooom-idditty, oom, oom , ooh!!!!

In other words, I guess I liked it!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 13:19:37 | More by feloniousmonk

zeff80

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a one-finger, thick, tan head of foam. It left thin rings of lace.

S - It smelled of bittersweet chocolate. Some floral notes were detected. It really smelled great!

T - It tasted like chocolate milk with a bitter hop kick. A subtle boozy, alcohol presence emerges as it warms up.

M - It was soft, smooth and creamy. A medium bodied beer that is surprisingly easy drinking despite the ABV.

D - This is a really interesting Imperial Stout. Strong chocolate flavor without an overpowering sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 03:25:51 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2007 Released; Sampled February 2008
A vigorous pour produces a three-finger thick, lightly browned, tan colored head. The beer is simply black and displays nothing when held up to the light. The aroma has an ample roast character to it as well as a bit of a burnt acidity. Aromatic notes of burnt toast, black coffee, deeply browned whole grain bread, burnt plums, and a subtle, but rich, chewy, deeply caramelized malt middle. The nose finishes with a bit of warming alcohol and even a Brandy-like note that is a mix from the alcohol and fruit notes.

Sweet tasting up front, with a chewy richness that is not overly heavy. The ample roast notes definitely provide an acidity to this brew that is noticeable throughout the flavor profile and tends to lessen the impact of the rich, malty body. Black malt, burnt charcoal, astringent roast grain husks and a well burnt fruitiness that comes through a bit more as the beer warms up. The burnt fruit notes mix with the acidity to give suggestions of burnt plums, a hint of roasted cherries, and some more concentrated notes of blackened prunes. The finish is rough, at times a bit hot from alcohol and quite bitter from both the burnt grain and hops. On sips where the roast grain does not dominate a nice, creamy, dark chocolate flavor comes through as does a rich toffee malt notes.

This beer needs some more time to mellow out. It is far to overly burnt and roasted at this point, if it can manage to not get overly oxidized, this could be a real treat in about five years. Right now though this beer is a bit one-dimensional, even for an Imperial Stout.

2006 Bottle; Sampled September 2007
Score = 4.0
Much fruitier than 2004 bottle, though it still has loads of dark malt character. The roast character is pretty well balanced by malt and fruit character. Smoother overall than the 2004. has a perceptible hop bitterness to it.

2004 Bottle; Sampled September 2007
Score = 4.0
Aged Dark Malt aroma, with burnt cherry flavors, noticeable oxidation and sherry notes.

The flavor has a prominent dark grain notes, some touches of sherry, and even some tamarind to it.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2008 03:38:43 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short, dense, light brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of dark fruit, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is nicely balanced for a big stout, with flavors of dark chocolate, dark fruits and roasted coffee. The malt character is what you would expect from this type of beer, hearty but not quite as thick as most. There’s a good hops presence for the style along with a slight alcohol sting. The after-taste is slightly sweet with some residual hops bitterness.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium-to-heavy and viscous body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, slightly filling, strong kick, very good representation of style even if it wouldn’t my first choice for an RIS. Overall, however, this is a nice beer to chill out with late on a cold night as you unwind in front of the TV.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 04:05:26 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up one of the last 2 bottles at Spring Liqour outlet today, was really tempted to snag them both... This one is 10% abv

Pours like 5,000 mile motor oil, but with effervescence! and with a sliver of caramel/butterscotch colored head.Above average lacing, sort of looks like two people holding hands, wacky & average head retention

S: Cocoa powder& a bit of licorice

T: Cocoa powder, roasted grain, licorice & a touch of chicory up front. Dark chocolate with some leafy hops show up as this warms, plus a bit of booze warmth & a kiss of vanilla oakyness. Finishes a bit dry, with much cocoa, a bit of figs & nice mocha flavor

MF: Chewy, oily, with low, but noticeable carbonation

Drinks pretty easy, but the abv & thickness show up to the party early enough, to give pause. Not a perfect IMP stout, but damn good, bet you this gets better with some age on it

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2008 05:59:50 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.03/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bomber,

A: Pours a dark brown, with a small tan head, leaving fair lacing.

S: Smells of milk chocolate, coffee, and a bit of molasses.

T: Tastes very sweet, at first the impression was like that of a chocolate milkshake. After the initial chocolate bombardment, a nice mocha flavour comes in, finishing with some French roast coffee.

M: Lighter than other RIS's, but still carrying a nice robust character and smoothness, almost velvety.

D: A good Imperial Stout from Port overall. A little weaker than what I usually look for in this style, but still very enjoyable and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2007 18:51:00 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a dark brown color with a 1" head. Nice lace develops.

Smell: roasted malt and chocolate are up front, and some coffee tones are a bit softer.

Taste: roasted malt, dark chocolate, some coffee, prunes, mild bitterness, and a hint of alcohol create a well balanced beer.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Light crispness to start, smoother and a bit dry at the finish. Aftertaste is long lasting as the roasted malt and chocolates linger on the tongue.

Overall: this is a nice imperial stout that is a slow sipper and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 21:09:26 | More by Gavage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 650 mL bottle, vintage 2006 with a clear view of Santa, from a January 2007 trade with Marvz.

A: The RIS pours beautifully, viscous and black with motor oil. No light gets in or out of this glass. A tan colored head measuring around a finger caps off the ale and leaves perilous bubbles of foam clingning to the sides of the glass.

S: Mmmm, graham crackers. This stout packs a big nose, full of spices (cinnamon), coffee, chocolate and burnt toast. A lot going on here, a year seems to have done the beer some good.

T: Even with a year under its belt, this stout is hot. A blast of warm alcohol ignites the tongue, managing to hide the burnt malts that lie underneath. Burnt bread highlights the post-alcohol taste. The charred flavor offers up acrid espresso notes and semi-sweet baker's chocolate. A vinous complexity that results from the dark malts is intriguing, filling the mouth with many, MANY flavors.

M: The swirling mouthfeel packs a wallop, betraying its significant alcohol content along the way. The flavors mix well and the whole package easily overwhelms the tastebuds.

D: At 9%+, this is no pounder. I'm gonna try my best to finish this before midnight, as my last beer of 2007. If this is how it ends, it was a pretty good year.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 03:55:58 | More by akorsak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks go out to IntriqKen for this. Also the label seems to be an anomaly because the Santa is completely blacked out for some reason.

Pours black as can be with a thin tan head that fades rather quickly. Flavor is thick with malts and a tangy sweet tone. It's kind of an unusual citric edge, but after you first get used to it, it's not so noticed. Feel is about right. Overall this is a decent RIS. There aren't any insane roasted characters or anything real unusual going on, but it's nice enough to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2008 11:53:39 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a dark black with a foamy, creamy, tan colored head.

S: Loads of roasted malts, dark chocolates, a little bit of bread, a light scent of dark fruits, and sweetened coffee.

T: Booze and bitter cocoa, lends a note of milk chocolate, a little bit of light licorice, some molasses.

M: Big body, well carbonated and boozy

O: Overall its pretty good

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 15:33:12 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pleasant two-finger beige head, very good lace. Black in color with absolutely no light passing through

Mocha aromas with a generous amount of cream...relatively mild, lots of cream smells.

A combination of chocolate and coffee. For a stout the body is spot on. There is a wonderful hop bitterness in the swallow and the aftertaste. The only negative might be that this beer doesn't have the typical oiliness of an Imperial Stout.

This is a thouroughly enjoyable stout. The flavor is very good but not as one would expect from an Imperial Stout. As a regular stout, this would be an excellent session beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Pizza Port Solana Beach, 135 North Highway 101, Solana Beach

12-10-2007 00:10:47 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.38/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice deep black color, some carbonation, nice little fizzy tan head, very little sticky lacing follows. The nose is malty, smoky, roasty, slight oaky/bourbon, vanilla, toffee, chocolate, and caramel. The taste is slightly sweet, big roasty/toffee/chocolate/caramel taste, nice touch of vanilla/oaky/bourbon. The alcohol is hidden very well. Medium/full body, complex brew. Very drinkable, absoultely delicious, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle
@ Pizza Port Solana Beach, 135 North Highway 101, Solana Beach

01-04-2008 01:31:46 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a two finger tan head that fades quickly to a thin layer, leaving traces of lace. Black color, no highlights. Light carbonation and heavy bodied. Roasted malty nose. Flavor is molasses and bakers chocolate. Smooth, high ABV is hidden. On sale at $6.99 for a 22oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle
@ Pizza Port Solana Beach, 135 North Highway 101, Solana Beach

03-22-2009 22:19:40 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a tulip glass)
A- This beer pours a jet black with a cocoa tan head that last for a bit. It is a bit too dense to see any carbonation.
S- The roasted black malt has some cinnamon qualities to it with a dark chocolate aroma in the finish.
T- The big roasted malt flavor has some astringency to it, and some licorice notes. There is a dry cream note and dry spice note in the finish. As the beer opens up there is a dark nougat and fusel alcohol taste in the finish that grows.
M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel and no real alcohol heat it is mostly in the flavor.
D- This beer has a nice stout richness but not a lot of depth. On the second pour there was a large slimy gelatinous lump that popped out of into my glass. Even after fishing it out and examining it I couldn't finish the beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Pizza Port Solana Beach, 135 North Highway 101, Solana Beach

01-05-2011 20:36:10 | More by rhoadsrage