Baltic Porter
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

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From:
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
 
United States
Style:
Baltic Porter
Ranked #71
ABV:
7%
Score:
89
Ranked #10,636
Avg:
4.1 | pDev: 8.78%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
10
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 27, 2023
Added:
Sep 21, 2009
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Photo of JohnniEMc
Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania

4.37/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This time, it comes out of a 32 ounce crowler and poured until a clear pint glass is filled. There's almost no head and what was, didn't last long. The color is sharply black coffee brown and although opaque, it's far from murky. There's plenty of roasted malt to inhale and it comes with notes of coffee and even some chocolate. The taste is rich and smooth versions of what was smelled. Especially, there are dark chocolate notes during the finish. Above all, as full flavored as it is, it's never too malty, too sweet, nor too hoppy. It is the epitome of a great Baltic Porter. In this episode, the mouthfeel runs a little flat, but that might be resultant of the way it was delivered. Again, this is the epitome of what a decent Baltic Porter should be.
Dec 27, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Kilroy1701 from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2011
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Served on-tap at the Lancaster brewpub.

A: The baltic porter is a dark brown color, syrupy with dark red hues running throughout. A tan head lingers but doesn't leave much of a trace.

S: The nose is sweet, fruity with a chocolate edge. Starchiness is evident but not dominant.

T: The porter has darker flavors but is driven by a sweet bean and fruit flavor. Dark malts add heft to an otherwise thin body. This beer rarely strikes me as a baltic porter.

M: The mouthfeel has a mild sweetness that is quickly followed by dry elements. The full, rich cocoa body that I was expecting never quite came together.

D: The baltic porter just didn't do it for me. An enjoyable sweetness that doesn't quite make the cut.
Nov 26, 2009
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
a: This was a clear, dark mahogany color. It was served to me with a medium sized, frothy tan head.

s: I got some roasty coffee and chocolate, plus a surprisingly strong blast of floral heat.

t: Roasty, nutty coffee with some chocolate and a little dark fruit in the aftertaste. Not as hot as in the nose, but it is noticeable, especially for a something at 7% abv.

m: Maybe a little thin for such a big beer with gently foamy carbonation.

d: Pretty good take on the style, but with two better options tonight (oatmeal stout and shokolad), I just couldn't stay with it.
Nov 22, 2009
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Reviewed in real-time, not from notes!

Brought to me in a 12-ounce goblet, sporting a finger of tannish head with low retention. Color was a deep, dark brown with ruby highlights. Nose had notes of chocolate, coffee and alcohol. This was not hiding its ABV by any stretch of the imagination. Mouthfeel was medium with a taste like biting into a chocolate covered cherry. It was really rich, chocolaty, with a cherry flavor on the middle finish. Completely unexpected! Finish lingered with a cherry/chocolate sweetness. This was like an aperatif on a chilly afternoon. I wouldn't want a steady diet of it, but as a prelude to the upcoming holiday/Christmas ales, it was very good.
Nov 01, 2009
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap @ the brewpub on 10/24/09. Served in an oversized mug.

Pours a very dark brown/near black, with some reddish highlights coming out, and is topped with a smooth looking finger of off-white head. Retains with just a little less than that, with a creamy layer that hangs tough, leaving a solid cascade of foamy lacing behind. The aroma is sticky feeling in the nose, with chocolate, toffee, and bread, which mixes in nicely with crunchy notes of roast and coffee. This is punctuated by a deep fruity tang in the middle and a light floral feel which weaves in and out of the other flavors.

The taste is sweet cocoa powder and sticky caramel, a deep roastiness (including just a touch of coffee flavoring), and a fruity flush of dark cherries. A firm dose of hop bitterness really gives this some strength on the tongue. Finishes mostly roasty and dry. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a solid sharpness to it (which matches the hop profile) that runs the whole way through. I'm getting just the tiniest bit of warmth in the body, otherwise the alcohol is extremely well hidden here.

A very nice take on the Baltic Porter style, and I must say that this really grew on me as it warmed and opened up. I flew through this mug a lot faster than I initially thought that I was going to. This one really flew under the radar here this fall.
Oct 26, 2009
Photo of Slatetank
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served in a goblet at the brewpub in Lancaster.

A - An almost black shade w/ garnet highlights, bone white cap w/ tiny bead and decent lace collects

S - A mild raisin and cocoa w/ hints of currant, anise and plum w/ light toast and candied fig

M - A high level of maltiness w/ notes of cocoa dry w/ hints of nuts and moderately high carbonation w/ mellow alchohol and mild bitterness in the finish

T - A cocoa graham cracker taste w/ light spice and mild toffee w/ dark cherry and light hop flavor to balance. The malt is flavorful and smooth, not a heavy flavor but mild raisin and alcohol in the flavor as it finishes

D - A solid baltic porter - very good malt emphasis and nice strength -pretty good representation of the style -a well brewed beer, very drinkable.
Oct 17, 2009
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A-Deep, as dark as you can get and still be clear, blackish/brown copper with a thin, light tan veil of a head that left spotty lace.

S-Light roasted malt with a hint of cherry, wood and leather. A subtle light biscuit malt sweetness emerges with warming.

T-Rich, dry, maltiness, leathery and a zip of sour cherry. Dry finish with notes of oak.

M-Medium bodied, astringent with a lingering hint of cherry tartness. Smooth ending.

D-Really nice. I am a fan of the style and enjoy the subtle differences from one breweries Baltic porter to another. Lots of dry flavours in this one with good roastiness and a smooth, slick finish.
Oct 11, 2009
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appears a black color with a small tan head. Streaky lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of vanilla cream, cocoa, and roasted nuts.
Taste is of a yeasty blend of cocoa, nuts, and vanilla ice cream topped with some cocoa and coffee powders.
Mouthfeel is smooth with the yeasty body and cocoa clinging to the palate.
Apr 11, 2006
Photo of tgbljb
Reviewed by tgbljb from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presented at proper temperature as a deep brown beer with modest tannish head. Smell is mainly toasted malt with some bitter coffee and chocolate also present. Mild alcohol smell also noted. Taste is strong on roasted malt with a form hop dryness that is a nice compliment to the malt. Finish is dry burnt malt with the dryness blending with it in a very enjoyable manner. A very nice example og the style. Very drinkable.
Mar 12, 2006
Baltic Porter from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 10 ratings