Snowdrift Vanilla Porter - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle - $1.79 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown body with a small-sized, very short-lived, beige head.

Smell: Slight chocolate, modest roasted malt, and the namesake vanilla.

Taste: As with the smell, it's more of the same -- some chocolate, caramel, mild roast, and the vanilla. Sufficiently sweet. Slight earthy, not quire bitterish tone midway. More of the same through to the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-light carbonation. Reasonably smooth, slick mouthfeel overall.

Overall: Snowdrift comes across as the Creamy Dark but with some vanilla additive added.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 20:25:05 | More by ChainGangGuy

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

A tad early for snow, per se, but I'll take a good vanilla porter any day. Is this one good? Let's find out: This stuff pours a deep ruby-sienna topped by a finger of light khaki foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, toasted barley, and some mild chocolate in the deep recesses. The taste holds notes of roasted malts, cocoa, vanilla bean, and a touch of light bubblegum at the very end. Things are kinda chalky all-around, though, detracting somewhat from what could have been a pretty tasty vanilla porter. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly smooth feel. Overall, a nice porter, one that deals with the vanilla pretty well (meaning they don't either overdo it or make it ridiculously sweet). Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 18:01:29 | More by TMoney2591

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a one-finger, khaki-colored head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of vanilla beans, chocolate and roasted malt.

T - It tasted of a strong vanilla presence with some sweet milk chocolate and some roasty malt.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a pretty nice vanilla porter. One of the better brews from the Leinenkugel lineup.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:06:20 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.35/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear and very dark red in color (black when viewed from afar) and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high light beige head that died down, leaving wispy lacing on the surface and a thin ring around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of chocolate malts in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has slightly sweet flavors of chocolate malts along with hints of vanilla towards the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a little thin on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is a great tasting and easy to drink porter. The only drawback is that it is a little sweet and tastes a bit like malt extracts.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 01:00:54 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.85/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 12/16/2012 at The Luxury Box in Seekonk, MA served in a US tumbler pint glass.

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

S: The aroma is faint but contains roasted malts, coffee, vanilla and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out creamy with flavors of coffee and vanilla. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a decent porter to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 02:29:32 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a very deep brown color with a nice cream colored head on top. The lacing and retention are pretty good on this beer. It's rather nice looking. The smell of the beer is earthy with some subtle vanilla notes but mostly smells like dirt. The taste of the beer is decent, it's got some nice vanilla bean flavors along with some roasted malts in the finish. The vanilla comes out more and more with each sip. The mouthfeel is pretty standard, it's medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation to it... maybe a little too much. Overall I enjoy the beer. I would probably drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:11:43 | More by Knapp85

jwc215

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From winter variety pack - best by April 01, 13:

Pours black with ruby highlights. A thick tan head leaves ample lacing.

The smell is of vanilla with black licorice. Not much roast comes through.

The taste is sweet - vanilla with black licorice candy. The is a dryness, and just a subtle hint of roast to balance some of the sweetness - enough to keep it from being too sweet or sticky.

It is on the fuller side of medium bodied. Very smooth.

The vanilla is a nice touch without dominating. It has a black licorice character to it that is more like the candy than like actual anise. An interesting brew. Alcohol is well-hidden. Sweet, dark, easy-to-drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 21:31:39 | More by jwc215

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

2.71/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

12oz bottle. Deep clear ruby with a fizzy head of light mocha froth. Retention and lacing are poor with this eventually going pretty dead looking in the glass. Smells of cocoa, vanilla, acrid roast and some green citrus. The taste is cocoa, vanilla and a little toffee sweetness. Same acrid and burnt roastiness as the nose. A tingle of green hops runs down the center. The feel is lighter to medium bodied with a too thin and astringent presence in the mouth. Just a touch of sharpness at least adds a little something to this. This was a pretty weak Porter in all categories and I just didn’t care for it a whole lot. Next…

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 15:37:37 | More by Kegatron

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.29/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A: Burgundy-cola pour is a steady black in the vessel with a low profile tawny skim head that dissipates almost immediately. Aside from the color there was little to be impressed here.

S: The nose brought forth some vanilla laced chocolate of low to medium intentions, sweet with a touch of dark cherry fruitiness. not bad and definitely getting better.

T: The flavor was sweet chocolate, with a bit of cherry fruitiness. Vanilla is nicely represented but not in your face, subtle but charming providing a nice compliment to the chocolate base. Smooth dark malt bitterness is played and balanced well against the sweet chocolate nature of the drink.

M: Decent chocolate malting in the mouthful, the carbonation is slight, smooth bitterness on the tongue.

O: Overall im not usually a fan of this brewery, this is certainly one of the better experiences ive had from them. Very smooth and easy drinking vanilla porter that feels highly sessionable despite its reported 6.9% alcohol. An easy one to throw back.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 01:51:09 | More by beerthulhu

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.29/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Eric for gifting me with a bottle of this. 12oz bottle poured into a standard pint. The brew appears brown in color with clarity seen around the edges. A tan cap 2 fingers strong sits atop and slowly fades.

The aromatics have quite a bit of minerals and carbonic quality. A hint of herbal hops overtop some dark fruity alcohol character. Molasses and roasty grain fill out the rest of the void.

The taste includes notes of cocoa and vanilla. Some chocolate powder and a hint of dark fruit to hebal hop inclusion. A sticky vanilla bean aftertaste coupled with minerals fades into the aftertaste.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Overall a smooth and easy drinking brew that for the most part delivers as advertised. I appreciate the opportunity to try it but would probably not willingly purchase this.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 16:04:23 | More by stakem

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Colour of cola, small head of foam, goodly amount of lacing.

I smell some vanilla, fruity notes, sweet malt.

I taste vanilla, sweet malt, light notes of cocoa, coffee in and around the other flavours. It finishes lightly bitter.

An easy drinking brew that I find tasty enough to keep me interested..I'm glad they didn't go overboard with the vanilla as it could have dominated the flavours and made this more one dimensional. I like.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 16:27:05 | More by Bitterbill

kylehay2004

Florida

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Single finger head on a deep brown body with shattered lacing. Aroma is mild and simple with vanilla, roasted malts and hints of chocolate. Flavor follows the aroma well with the roasted and chocolate malt base balanced well by vanilla which isn't too sweet. Relatively thin body and moderate carbonation. A vanilla porter as advertised with a standard porter body and base beer. Very drinkable but nothing to make this one a very complex brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 12:44:02 | More by kylehay2004

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a Leinenkugel's imperial pint.
6.0% ABV, FEB1113 on neck.

A - Snowdrift Vanilla Porter pours darker looking than it actually is. Held up to the light, this rich mahogany-hued beer is actually pretty clear. It's khaki head sinks rather quickly from it's initial tall stature and doesn't leave a whole lot of lace behind.

S - Soft vanilla bean notes hide behind a veil of cold roasted malt aroma which is reminiscent of cold coffee, baker's chocolate and cocoa. Snowdrift Vanilla Porter might be fairly simple and straight forward. Boring might be the right word.

T - Vanilla becomes much more evident in the beer's flavor, warming with a well-balanced extract flavor that matches up nicely with the roasted malt additions. While barrel-aging tends to bring out vanilla tannins, this vanilla brings out a wood-like earthiness that compliments the bakers chocolate and mocha flavors.

M - Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is smooth and rich with a creamy feel but not a completely full body. Evidently shooting for something most people could drink, this beer doesn't go full-bore. Rather, the malts add a complimentary roasted bitterness which sits well next to the vanilla sweetness and dry tannins on the finish.

O - The closed-off, somewhat boring nose doesn't keep the beer from becoming more than "your standard beer". Instead, Snowdrift Vanilla Porter takes it's roasted malt profile and dribbles in some vanilla extract for a mellow, smooth, and soothing winter beer with a hearty feel on a cold day and satisfying finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 16:50:51 | More by BeerFMAndy

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, stamped with FEB1113 on it, I assume that's the best by date. Served in a Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass, when held up to the light the beer pours a dark reddish/brown color with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both decent enough. The brew smells like vanilla, roasted malt, milk chocolate and some coffee. The taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, except that the chocolate flavor is both bittersweet and milk chocolate. Also, I think the flavors are a little stronger in comparison to the aroma. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's a bit smooth and creamy. I think it's a solid brew. Got a single bottle from a friend of mine for free, so I'm not sure about the price of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 23:23:10 | More by bluejacket74

champ103

Texas

3.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark brown/ruby red color. A two finger white head forms with good retention. The foam sticks throughout. Light lace is left down the glass.
S: Roasted malt, a bit acrid and metallic. The sweetness from the vanilla beans is nice.
T: Roasted malt, coffee, light chocolate. A very nice roasted character that fades. After the malt fades out, the vanilla appears out of nowhere. A lingering vanilla bean sweetness. It does not seem artificial, which is a nice surprise.
M/D: A light to medium body. High carbonation. A thin body though. Easy to drink. I put my bottle away in no time.

Certainly not bad. I am very pleased that the vanilla does not seem artificial or overly sweet. Both major concerns of mine going in. It is a little odd that the roasted coffee fades out to nothing before any hint of vanilla hits, but still something I enjoyed for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:38:27 | More by champ103

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.44/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Snagged a single for just a buck at the house of 1,000 beers. Poured into an imperial pint glass.

A - Head is pretty thick 1/2 inch that settles rather quickly to nothing but a faint mocha lace ring. Color is also a very dark brown, clear but kind of boring.
S - Well considering it's almost 5 months old it smells more of a black ale or black lager with some highlighting vanilla tones. Maybe some chocolate but it's faint.
T - Not as bad as I expected but has a weird vegtial character I can't seem to enjoy. Like a skunky lager it does have sweeter chocolate malts and a very solid vanilla finish. Not bad.
M - Sort of slick with a medium body but it drinks kind of watery for 6%

Overall one of the better Leine's offerings I have had. Lately I did go back and try the berry weiss which was disgusting so this if anything is at least more drink able.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 04:02:34 | More by DrDemento456

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of vanilla, some coffee. Taste is good, lots of vanilla, some cocoa and coffee, lots of flavor. feels medoium bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 06:45:45 | More by tone77

Durge

Connecticut

3.74/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Found on tap at the Embassy Suites hotel bar at Logan Airport in Boston this porter is dark black with mahogany edges and a very solid, uniform tan head with good lacing. The nose hit offers a distinctive charcoal malt with a delicate vanilla carmel sweetness. Not very strong but pleasant for sure. The flavor brings out a fizzy vanilla malt with a grassy edge that hints of charcoal and root beer. This seasonal offering is medium-light bodied with somewhat overactive carbonation while finishing with a somewhat chalky feel. A little weak in feel for the style but enjoyable as a sweet taste treat.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2013 05:59:07 | More by Durge

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a very dark brown in color with some amber highlights and a very light amount of visible carbonation. The beer has a half finger tall dark beige head that slowly reduces to an even layer of thick film covering the entire surface of the beer. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of roasted malts, chocolate, and vanilla (though a slightly artificial vanilla aroma).Some very light notes of cocoa.

T: Light flavors of roasted malts with some hints of bittersweet chocolate but the dominant flavor is that of vanilla - and lots of it. Light amounts of sweetness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy yet still a little thin/watery.

O: Enjoyable but not really anything special - I would not go out of my way to try this one again... Pretty easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 03:07:31 | More by dbrauneis

maximum12

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Big pint glass full of this new Leine's brew with my dinner at the Apple Valley Tap House, because the world can always use another good vanilla porter, amiright?

The beer shows up & maybe it's the lighting, but this baby leans very close to being a deep, dark red rather than a livid brown. But whatever. Nose is gently sweet, vanilla, malts.

Snowdrift is one of those beers that just shows up. Solid vanilla that avoids the cloying or medicinal, backed up by a porter with some malt sweetness & bare roast. It's weakest point is that it's thin, closing in on watery. Low ABV doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the full monty in my mouth.

Pretty good beer, but one that is utterly forgettable. One & done for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 04:02:58 | More by maximum12

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

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

Pours a solid dark brown with ruby highlights and a smallish tan head that quickly dissipates to a cap. Smells of caramel and brown sugar with a bit of chocolate and vanilla. There's a light bit of roast in the aroma with little to no hop presence. The flavor is sweet with a vanilla and caramel playing the lead roles. A little brown sugar and roast come in to support but the vanilla really overpowers everything else in the flavor. Little to no hop flavor or bitterness is detected. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet creamy mouthfeel. I bought some Big Eddy Imperial stout a few years back and I was blown away. Since that time I keep trying their regular beers hoping to revisit the magic, but it just doesn't seem to happen. There's nothing really wrong with this beer, but for my tastes its too much vanilla and not enough porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 00:55:00 | More by johnnnniee

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the BBC Cedarville--served into a pint glass

Appearance: dark brown in color, opaque, minimal head, medium carbonation

Smell: roasted malt and vanilla--very light smell

Taste: big vanilla taste followed by roasted malt with more vanilla on the finish

Mouthfeel: medium/light body, medium carbonation, sweet with roastiness

Drinkability: This one is typical Leinie's. If you typically like their beers, you will like this one. If not, I suspect you will not like this one as well. Nice vanilla taste over a decent porter. A bit sweet, but still one I will get again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 17:02:14 | More by tigg924

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an Elysian snifter. Pours a very dark chestnut brown with a thin light brown head that dissipates slowly to a ring around the glass and light lacing. Pleasant aroma of chocolate, toasted malt and vanilla. Flavor follows, with sweet toasted malt, vanilla, nuts and a hint of chocolate. Similar to a nut brown ale. Light to medium bodied. Expecting a bit more body from a porter, but the flavors are nice, well integrated and pleasant tasting. A decent light bodied porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:59:22 | More by LiquidAmber

Boto

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Draught @ Curley's Pub: This one pours a fairly opaque, dark brown color. There was a small tan head that left a little lacing. The aroma isn’t bad. Definitely has vanilla on top, but it is not too strong. Also has notes of chocolate and coffee. The taste isn’t bad. Vanilla, espresso, chocolate are dominant. Not much else. Medium bodied. Just a touch sweet. Not a bad brew at all.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 01:52:36 | More by Boto

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.31/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Twist off cap poured into shaker.
Hesitant aroma with a mild roast and whiffs of vanilla.
Tan fizzy head that settles out quickly. Very clear and dark with brown/red highlights.
Flavor is much bolder. Stronger porter qualities and a forward vanilla. Drying finish. The vanilla is kinda' artificial tasting and gets out of balance as it warms.
Moderate feel that seems thinner through the drink.
A little sweet and seems to have a cloying quality. It would be hard for me to drink more than one at a session. Might go well with pancakes though.

Thanks Geoff.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 00:39:23 | More by garymuchow