Vanilla Porter - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I love that Paul Rutherford, head brewer at IHLNC, is not only very experimental with his beers, but he is also routinely putting cask-conditioned ales on their hand-pump. Better still is a brand-new beer on cask. You go, Paul!

The head was the same color as the N2 pour (a finger of light mocha-brown), but it was foamier, more soapy in its texture and it fell away quickly. The nose lost the vanilla from the N2 and simply smelled like a Mounds bar. The color was a deep, dark brown with zero light penetration. The mouthfeel was slightly thin, but the coconut really came out on the tongue. It reminded me of Maui's Coconut Porter. This was really good! I am a huge fan of cask ale and this was a beer that benefited from its serving style. The finish simply lingered with that chocolate/coconut blend. Vanilla? Non-existent (or at least, you couldn't prove it by me). More, please, sir.

Serving type: cask
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

07-03-2009 21:41:36 | More by woodychandler

Biscuit033

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Black with a thick creamy off-white head and great lacing and retention.

S: Vanilla, smoke, and chocolate.

T: Vanilla balanced by smoke, coffee, chocolate, and earthiness.

M: Smooth and creamy with the vanilla lingering on the tongue.

D: The vanilla adds a nice balance. I enjoy the Pig Iron Porter and this just adds depth to the flavors. The vanilla and Pig Iron are more than the sum of their parts.

Serving type: cask
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

02-11-2008 23:17:05 | More by Biscuit033