Santa's Little Helper - Bourbon Barrel Aged - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

FARGO619

California

5/5  rDev +29.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

BOTTLE 22oz into tulip. 55 degrees. Glass room temp.

A - Pours a deep black with some murkiness...so thick with a nice mocha head.

S - Strong vanilla and caramel aromas followed by some dark roasty smells. Bourbon is very noticeable, but not in an overpowering way...smells very good.

T - Smooth and creamy tasting with some spice and vanilla, caramel, brown sugar and molasses flavors. Lightly roasty and a well balanced bourbon flavor mixed with slightly hot alcohol.

M - Full bodied with a lowish carbonation level.

D - Excellent barrel aged beer...smooth and creamy, lots of barrel character, mild bourbon heat...enjoyed this very much.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 15:48:40 | More by FARGO619

rye726

Colorado

4.85/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours near black with shades of deep brown around the edges. Not much head.

Nose has bourbon, oak, vanilla, cocoa, dark malts, coffee, molasses, subtle hops and ripe pitted fruits.

Taste also has a big whiskey, vanilla and wood presence from the barrels that is well balanced by chocolate malts, espresso, cherries, plums and bitter molasses.

Thick, creamy body is a bit under carbonated but still drinks well.

Another world class barrel aged ale from Port/Lost Abbey. Talented brewers with great barrels.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2009 03:58:56 | More by rye726

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.85/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Comes out of the bottle a rich, warm sable just a whisker above jet with a fairly thick light tan head that leaves substantial lacing. Smoky aroma has an overtone of bourbon and notes of chocolate and molasses plus a hint of toffee. Splendiferous flavor fills the mouth with a symphony of tastes: bourbon, chocolate, molasses, burnt oak, toffee, caramel, coffee. Each sip seems a little different. Over all is a firm but not fierce alcohol bite. Full-bodied texture is smooth as fine silk and has a subtle but lasting fizz. This nice beer is well worth the "naughty" price!

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 21:51:20 | More by Cyberkedi

djaeon

California

4.8/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours an opaque dark brown to black with little head. Some retention consisting of larger bubbles.

S: Perfect mix of espresso & bourbon.

T: Same as the smell, with super dark chocolate thrown into the mix. Picks up some charred wood flavors in the finish as it warms up.

M: Little carbonation, bitter aftertaste, slight booze burn, in the best possible way.

O: Tastes like an imperial stout poured over a shot of bourbon. Love it!

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 22:10:34 | More by djaeon

brew3crew

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

In line at founders for CBS

A-maroon or brown. One of those worjs

S-sweet mix of makt and Bourbon. Very inviting

T-very, very good. Sweetness on the bourbon makes it for q sweet taste

M-medium body and smooth

O-very fucking good. Glad I havvone one the cellar

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 10:53:33 | More by brew3crew

DCon

Missouri

4.53/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shared a 1 PINT 6 FL. OZ. bottle of this w/ STLWIll & Friends @ The Royale. Poured from the Red Labeled bottle w/ Santa and Rudolf at the bar & an Elf tapping beer that looks like an ice cream shop pour into a 12oz Shaker Glass. 2010 Bourbon Barrel Vintage but no bottled on date.

Aroma- There is a huge booze mixed with chocolate aroma from the start to finish. Very deep malts and hops with a rich background. Fantastic!

Appearance- Pours a .5 finger head that is dark brown but dies quickly. Has a very dark brown colored body that has almost no clarity. Leaves suds behind on the glass.

Flavor- Bourbon rich, Cocoa sweet, and roasted grains all come out at the beginning. VERY complexed and tough to search out all of the attributes. Can till this has been aged! Also has a light bitterness level at the finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Light Carbonation, Smooth, and leaves tons of bourbon on the palate at the finish.

Overall Impression- This one was very well developed and time helped this out! Would definitely like to trade for a bottle of this soon and enjoy again in the future. Highly Recommend for a 2X Stout!

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 23:49:05 | More by DCon

scottoale

California

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a new release for the Lost Abbey Sinners club this year... a promising brew for sure.

22oz. brown bomber with a label depicting Santa in Summer attire, hoisting a pint to Rudolf, being served by one naughty little Elf...get the picture?

Pop the cap, with very little pop at that and pour a very black liquid that is very low in carbonation, but not too worry, it's appropriate just the same.

The smell is mostly of toffee, with a bit of roast, some chocolate and a wee lump of coal...don't fret, you weren't that bad, were you? Some small bourbany notes in there as well...niiice!

Well the taste, no surprise...a toffee and malty brew with a bit of bourbon and a nice charcoal aspect...very much like coal, sort of. Me thinks this flavor will definitely grow bigger and bolder as time carries on. Very tasty now and will age gracefully as far as I can see. Nice balance and well carried for a brew over 10% ABV...no matter what!

Placid in the carbonation dept., this brew still carries itself well and into the larger scheme of big, barrel-aged beers...nothin wrong with that in my book, at all.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2009 10:49:09 | More by scottoale

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage

Pours pretty black with cola edging. There is surprisingly a finger of mocha head that sits briefly.

The nose is big bourbon. A lot of vanilla, oak, and butterscotch make this brew smell like a straight dessert. Im excited to sip this. Very inviting as the abv is nicely masked.

The taste is a bold robust blast of sweet vanilla and butterscotch. Again, the abv is well hidden and allows for the wonderful flavors of butterscotch, cocoa, toasted oak, and chocolate. Not overly bourbon infused but just right. I can still taste a bit of the base beer.

The mouthfeel is heavely viscous and carries the characteristics of milk. Thick, affluent, and delicious.

Overall, I think that that this brew may have failed in the past due to internal problems but this one is straight up amazing. Great bourbon offerings added to an already good beer=awesome.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 04:13:52 | More by ChugginOil

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

4.45/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1pt 6floz. Bottle. Oversized wine glass. Pours very dark brown in color. Dark beige froth builds close but thin & lasting crown. An aroma festival to the nose: prune & bigarreau cherry aromas, hints of chocolate, notes of marmalade, cane sugar & molasses, ginger & toasted malts. Smelling evokes rhum fragrances. Flavors are complex as expected from the aromas are involved by gentle warming sensation. Full body. Soft carbonation. Moderate oily texture. Subtle bitterness in the middle is covered by rhum & anise hues. Notes of chocolate & dried nuts on the aftertaste. Celebrate Xmas no matter what month is!!!

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 15:47:55 | More by GONZALOYANNA

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Blaine for the share. I am surprised the ratings on this beer are what they are, given the usual fanfare of all things -bal. The brew pours with the average good look expected of the style: brownish-black, capped with a thin head of deep umber, murky as crude. The nose is not terribly potent, but it is very pleasant, offering notes ranging from roasted grain and espresso, to buttery oak and vanilla and booze. The taste follows the nose in dynamic and subtlety, though it shows more oak character and less bourbon on the palate than the aroma. The feel is silky smooth; the brew has a good weight. I enjoyed this one quite a bit, and would gladly have another.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 19:18:24 | More by ktrillionaire

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Not seeing the date on the bottle but just came in so i'm assuming 2012. Shows 12%, not 10. Reads "Oak" not "Bourbon" barrel.
appearance: very dark though compared to older vis it's downright pale. Crimson highlights. almost no head other than some tan bubbles on the pour.
smell: Smooth bourbon, oak, coffee, vanilla and chocolate treat. Decadent and well...oh so good.
taste: More of the same. This is why I loves the new wave of beers over stuffy wines.
overall: I had thoughts of waiting till Christmas but screw it. August deserves a beer like this too.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 20:15:38 | More by cindyjeffsmith

Halcyondays

California

4.4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Blue Palms,

A: Pours a virtual black with a light smattering of bubbles, quite imposing.

S: Strong bourbon whiskey, vanilla, what you'd expect, very rich.

T: Here we go, very good integrated bourbon and wood flavours into the nice chocolate backbone of Santa's Little Helper, very impressive, good complexity, it's not all just whiskey and ethanol.

M: Smooth, full-bodied, viscous, mild carbonation.

D: An outstanding effort from Port, like this a fair bit better than regular Santa's Little Helper.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2009 20:56:28 | More by Halcyondays

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

4.38/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2010 bottle - says Oak Barrels on label, not Bourbon as the photo suggests. Make no mistake, this was aged in Bourbon Oak Barrels.

I'll start by saying...I can see how this beer gets a overall B- if it were one of the flat bottles. This 2010 bottle is carbonated perfectly and hit me right in the nose the minute I popped the cap. I didn't have high expectations for this beer but this was the biggest Bal-aged surprise of the year for me especially because I'm not a big fan of the base beer. I was also skeptical of the more than reasonable price tag for a Bal-aged Imperial Stout. $10.99

Poured into a snifter:

Appearance - Solid. Opaque with a nice charcoal head that quickly dissapates. When held to the light a little brownish tint from the Barreling shows up at the edges or the ring of the top of the glass.

Smell - Chocolate and Molasses dominate equally so as the Bourbon. The balance between the 3 is simply fantastic. Like a Bourbon German chocolate cake with very slight hints of vanilla showing if I look for it.

Taste - See smell. Exactly follows. Reminds me a bit of a less intense Parabola minus the extremely silky mouthfeel and a bit more chocolate forward than Parabola.

Mouthfeel - Fantastic. It's a sipper and feels the 10% that the beer is. Not that it's hot, the booze in the Whiskey is slightly apparent and expected but it has good viscosity, giving you the 10% feel. Love it!

Drinkability - Very Good. One bomber is the perfect amount to one's self on a winter's night.

Final Thoughts - For the $10.99 price tag, this is a value if I've ever seen one. This beer I found fantastic. Enjoyed this one much more than Old Rasputin XII and at 1/2 the price. I also enjoyed this much more than Older Viscosity as there was so much more going on than just bourbon which I experienced with Older Viscosity. I didn't chill this beer at all, popped at very near cellar temp. A must try to all you other BAs.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 01:38:35 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

GregSVT

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a snifter - 2010 Vintage

A: Pours a dark black with a nice dark khaki head that fades to a ring and leaves lacing on the glass. I did have to pour it pretty rough to get the head but there it is...carbonation!

S: The nose is intoxicating...tons of vanilla, molasses, cocoa, and dark fruits.

T: The first sip erupts with flavors of molasses, fudge, vanilla, and coconut. As I sip it I get chocolate malts and charred flavors from the barrel on the finish.

M: The feel is thick and creamy. It coats the mouth leaving the tastes on the finish for a while.

D: This is very tasty and one I would search out again. The ABV does make this a one and done bomber though. I was surprised to see carbonation in a big Port beer...hopefully they've figured things out.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 02:42:04 | More by GregSVT

Beerenauslese

California

4.35/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 bottle, purchased in November. Label reads "ale aged in oak barrels."

Very black body with a moderate tan head, eventually dissipates to a fine ring leaving some lacing.
Rich nose of roasted malt with strong chocolate aroma, bourbon, and vanilla.
Tastes boozy, with loads of roasted malt balanced by moderate sweetness and loads of chocolate and vanilla. There is some dark fruit in the background, lending a port-like dimension.
Body is full, with enough round bubbles to produce a fairly creamy mouthfeel.
A delicious and robust winter ale that I found very satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 20:15:57 | More by Beerenauslese

Boonedoggle

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type: Vintage 2011 Bottle into brandy snifter

Appearance: No head. Pours a coffee brown, not black. No lacing

Smell: A very subtle smell. Smells of chocolate, oak, and and slight raisins.

Taste: The taste really hits the back of the mouth. I can definitely taste the oak barrels. The bourbon is very strong on this beer. There are subtle chocolate and coffee notes.

Mouth: A very heavy bodied beer. It's silky to the tongue and the carbonation level is right on.

Overall: This is a really good beer. I'd put his it above most other imperial stouts I've tried. The appearance and smell really leads to the taste, which I like. I'm expecting a good as I go for a taste and that's just what I get. Like most other imperial stouts I'm interested in seeing how this beer ages.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 02:48:47 | More by Boonedoggle

glid02

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Yikes, quite the divisive beer here. Shared by kp - thanks!

Pours black with a few large light brown bubbles that quickly burst leaving a glassy top without even a thin ring around the glass.

Smells of bourbon and vanilla with good amounts of smooth roasted malts and hints of dark chocolate. Very mild spices waft out from time to time.

Tastes very good. Roasted malt flavors upfront are overtaken quickly by smooth bourbon and vanilla flavors. Midway through the sip the bourbon flavors mellow out a bit allowing the roasted malt back out along with hints of dark chocolate. The ending is mildly bitter and leaves bourbon flavors lingering on the palate.

Mouthfeel is alright. It's missing a lot of carbonation however I still feel as though there are a few bubbles fighting to get through and honestly the beer doesn't suffer horribly for lack of carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could have another.

Overall I thought this beer was unfairly panned simply for lack of carbonation. I think the beer could certainly be improved upon however as it is now it's one I would seek out in the future. Worth a shot as long as you know what you're getting into.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 03:58:12 | More by glid02

Jeb37

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I opened this bottle today which was a Stocking stuffer from my girlfriend last Christmas (2011). Poured into a 20oz pint glass

Appearance
Beer pours a deep super dark brown that entices you. Very little carbonation, head disappears quickly and leaves slight amount of lacing on the glass.
Smell
This beer smells heavy with coffee, chocolate, and caramel.
Taste
Really tastes of chocolate and coffee, really surprisingly smooth and balanced for a beer that says its ABV is 12%, it doesn't have that warming alcohol sweetness.
Mouthfeel
This beer is very light for such a high ABV, very easy to drink.
Overall
I was very surprised that a Stout this high in ABV would be so delicious and well balanced. This was a beer I thought would be heavy on the alcohol warmth and sweetness seeing as it was aged in oak. I wonder how holding it for a year may have changed the balance of flavors and mouthfeel. I will definitely get 2 of them this year, one to have now, and one to hold till next year. I recommend this beer as a great stocking stuffer or just to enjoy with family of friends.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:00:24 | More by Jeb37

armock

New York

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a couple of bottles last weekend from the brewery during Christmas in July.

A - Poured a black color with no head but some bubbles make a tan ring no lacing

S - Bourbon is the first thing that comes in a lighter not overpowering way then you notice the vanilla and oak scents

T - Follows the nose bourbon taste upfront some roasted malt with all the goodness from the barrel aging vanilla and oak

M - This beer has a medium body with light carbonation to it

D - Other than the appearance this would probably be one of my favorite BA beers even though that was lacking its still a very tasty beer thats very enjoyable and easy to drink this is worth hunting down or trading for

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 03:51:16 | More by armock

gregmoscetti

California

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

My personal favorite of the Christmas in July Party, this baby is thick, chocolatey and viscous. Definitely a dessert beer, I was blown away by its intensity and flavor. BASLA has a velvety sweet taste, similiar to BCS with a surprisingly low level of alcohol burn. I think if cellared a year or two this could be delicious. Only tick was that I drank too much of it. I would keep this one to a 4-6oz serving at a time

Granted I am drinking it from a tap, I was surprised by the complaints about it being flat. I am hoping the 2010 version is not as problematic as the 2009 considering we all seem to continue funneling money into Tomme Arthur's wallet for flat beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2010 19:56:16 | More by gregmoscetti

portia99

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Armsby Abbey, poured into a 4oz tasting glass.

A - Pours a deep black with some murkiness to it. Decent sized khacki head leaving behind lots of frothy lacing on the glass.

S - Strong vanilla and caramel aromas followed by some dark roasty smells. Bourbon is very noticeable, but not in an overpowering way...smells very good.

T - Smooth and creamy tasting with a focus on vanilla, caramel, brown sugar and molasses flavors. Lightly roasty and a well balanced bourbon flavor mixed with slightly hot alcohol.

M - Medium level warmth from the alcohol giving a bit of a tingle on the tongue. Full bodied with a lowish carbonation level.

D - Excellent barrel aged beer...smooth and creamy, lots of barrel character, mild bourbon heat...enjoyed this very much.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 18:40:56 | More by portia99

TommyW

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 Vintage

A- Black with a one-finger, tan head.

S- Lots of roasted aroma, big bourbon aroma, chocolate and dark fruits.

T- Followed the nose pretty well. The bourbon presence is there for sure but I didn't find it to be too much. Lots of chocolate, vanilla, coffee and dark fruit flavors to go along with it. A very nice balance of flavors.

M- Very smooth, silky feel; low carbonation

D- Very nice beer, perfect for a cold day

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 01:06:12 | More by TommyW

ngeunit1

California

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark black with a touch of brown mixed in and a super thin ring of head. The head fades right away leaving behind no lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of strong Bourbon notes with lots of oak and vanilla with some roasted chocolate malts and some dark fruit, and some booze.

T - Starts off with a nice kick of Bourbon flavor with lots of vanilla and some sweet dark fruits and light chocolate. Through the middle, more oak comes through with some richer roasted chocolate malts and a bit of coffee. The finish is a mix of Bourbon, oak, vanilla, chocolate, dark fruit, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with very mild carbonation. Smooth with a thick warming and sweet feeling.

D - Very drinkable. A bit on the flat side, but the Bourbon really adds another dimension to the base beer which is really nice. Good Bourbon aged stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 05:48:52 | More by ngeunit1

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a carbonated bottle. Didn't read too far down the reviews but I assume many of the lower scores and the overall rating from this have been affected by carbonation woes. I'll have to check.

Pours a dark brown with an off white head and spotty lacing. Nose is pretty intense with good amounts of bourbon, chocolate, oak, dark fruits, and a bit of roasted malt. Taste is pretty heavy on the bourbon with the other flavors playing nice complements. Feel is quite nice. Again, liking what the bourbon has done, especially as I am not a big fan of the regular version of this brew. Very drinkable and one of the better of its kind that I've had lately.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 22:47:23 | More by Thorpe429

domtronzero

California

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Slightly murky very dark brown. Big short-lived mocha colored head. Little lacing.

S - Rich dark malts, chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, nice pleasant booze, little oak.

F/M - Sweet dark malts, chocolatey and dark dried fruits. Bourbon, vanilla, oak, light roast. Medium bitterness, accentuated by dark malts. Sweet full finish. Medium-full bodied with moderately low carbonation. Warm in the belly.

D - great for a BB stout. This is definitely a beer that I could drink all night. Absolutely outstanding. One of my favorites for sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 07:57:47 | More by domtronzero