Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter - The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery

brentk56

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours dark as a stout, with a creamy tan head that lays upon the liquid, leaving a few strips of lace behind

Smell: Plum and black raspberry, with chocolate undertones

Taste: Dark fruit flavors forward, with the dried plum and black raspberry elements dominant; subtle chocolate tones add some depth, but the sugary malt flavors really take over in the middle and through the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A little too one-dimensional on the sweet fruity side; would prefer to see more chocolate and other flavors adding depth and balance

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 22:00:40 | More by brentk56

TheDinger

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Growler fill that my neighbor let chill for about 6 weeks. Still lots of action when we cracked it. Very nice deep brown/light black pour with generous 1 +finger mocca head. Smell is a bit tame with some notes of coffee, carmel, roasted malts and some earth tones. Subtle on the nose. Taste was where this brew hooked me. A very balanced porter that hides the 9% quite well. Initial coffee and chocolate that fades to earth and nuts with a hint of hops. Pretty complex and smooth. Comes off a bit more like a stout than porter. Feel was a bit of a letdown. A touch watery and thin. It did have a silk feel on the tongue and perhaps the 6 weeks had something to do with this. Adequate carbonation, but a little light on the feel. Overall- I really enjoyed this beer. Solid blend of malts, coffee, chocolate and earth. Well hidden ABV and tough to set down. A nice sipper for a winter evening. Again, this comes off as a stout to me, but it's a damn good beer and I will be trying one out of the bottle soon-

Serving type: growler

12-06-2012 12:38:40 | More by TheDinger

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle thanks to jmarsh123. Poured into Founders snifter.

A- Pours a dark reddish brown almost very dark red mahogany color that is pretty much black. A very thin layer of slightly reddish mocha brown head forms that quickly recedes to leave no head. Slightly above average carbonation. Leaves some very spotty lacing that slowly recedes back into the glass.

S- Dark fruits, raspberries, cherries, chocolate, some lightly roasted malts. Pretty well balanced, about average aroma strength, a lot more dark fruits then I was expecting- kind of interesting and a little bit complex for a baltic porter.

T- Grapes, raspberries, cherries, some light chocolate in the background, finishes with cherry cough syrup and raspberries. Interesting flavor that was decently balanced, but just finished way too syrupy for me and didn't have the traits I usually like in porters.

M- Fairly smooth, abv well hidden, goes down easily, decent carbonation, maybe slightly over-carbonated.

O- This was an okay baltic porter. It reminded me way too much of cherry cough syrup though more then anything which I didn't particularly like. Overall interesting to try, but definitely not my favorite baltic porter and not something that I would go back to right away.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 00:50:08 | More by jaasen64

buschbeer

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - It is very dark brown. No light permeates this libation. About three inches of cocoa head is perched on top.

S - I get some roasted malt. There is some dark chocolate and dark fruit smells.

T - The first thing that strikes me is the taste of tart cherry. The roasted malt flavors come into play at the end and in the aftertaste.

M - Moderate.

O - It is a different taste experience from what I initially expected. The tart cherry taste was a nice surprise. You would never know that this is a 9% beer. The alcohol is hidden.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 16:53:36 | More by buschbeer

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Once again, I am reducing the backlog of inventory laid upon me by my most excellent local beer trader, tone77. He loads me up every time he stops by and I am incapable of keeping up at times. Many thanks!

From the bottle: "Proudly hand made in small batches"; "The Dark Beer Specialist".

Wow, but the head looks more like a stout! I got a finger-and-a-half of bubbling, deep-tan head with limited retention. Color was a deep, dark-brown allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose had a dried dark-fruit scent, like prunes, raisins, dried blueberries, you get the idea. Mouthfeel was medium and the alcohol heat was the first thing that was evident on the tongue. Getting past that, it was really like a fruitcake with lots of dried fruit flavors like the aforementioned as well as cherries plus a nice maltiness. Finish was literally breathtaking as the alcohol burn really led the way, followed by all of the fruitiness. I would only need one or two of these to get where I am going. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 02:57:18 | More by woodychandler

jmarsh123

Indiana

2.28/5  rDev -44.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours black with a small tan head fading into just the edges.

Smells of roasted malts, a bit of smoke and raisin.

Some roasted malt up front along with a touch of smoke. Intense dark fruit flavors on the back end create a horrible clash of tastes.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

This one went to the sink. There were some good things up front, but the dark fruit flavor at the back end did not mesh well with the other flavors at all and ruined it for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 00:01:47 | More by jmarsh123

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz botte. Served in a Founders snifter. Bottling info is vague on Duck Rabbit's offerings but my brother said this was from 2010. 

Pours near black brown with a thin half finger tan head. No lacing to speak of. 

Smells of subdued raisins, malt and smoke. 

Dark fruits are the dominant flavor. Figs and raisin followed by bitter cocoa, leather, smoke and an almost coffee creamer note. 

Medium bodied with a a nice zest of carbonation. Only a tiny alcohol burn at the end of each swallow to remind me that this is 9% abv. Long bittersweet aftertaste. 

This was an enjoyable brew. I'll need to try a fresh one for comparison but this drinks like a "light" Russian imperial stout. Many of those same dark fruit and cocoa flavors but with a smaller body and still pretty high alcohol. Well done. 

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 15:20:43 | More by ThickNStout

Dope

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -21%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Pours black with a bubbly light brown head. Leaves just a smattering of lacing after a quick fade.

S: Dark fruit and anise. Hints of roasted malt.

T: More dark fruit. I get prunes, raisin, fig, grape, you name it. Fairly tart too. A little bit of chocolate afterwards. Leather and a little smoke.

M: Medium bodied.

O: Huh, I wonder if I got a bad bottle. Almost no roasted malt, just tart fruits. I'm unsure as I've never had this before. Some of the descriptions list similar aspects though so I really can't discount this. Odd beer and not that tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2012 05:26:22 | More by Dope

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another fine offering from this underappreciated brewery. Very dark brown, nearly black body; totally opaque. One finger tan head that settles slowly, lots of creamy lace.

Rich and complex in both aroma and taste. Ample roasted malt character with a trace of subtle smokiness. Dark fruits; plums and raisins; brown sugar and toffee; bittersweet chocolate. Hints of floral hoppiness noticed in the aftertaste, which lingers a bit with a pleasant mix of sticky sweetness and bitterness.

Medium full bodied with moderate carbonation and a smooth and creamy overall feel. A delicious and nuanced brew with a ton of flavor; one of the very best of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 16:43:36 | More by tobelerone

Arborescence

Finland

3.48/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Completely black as far as I can see. Pours a rich and thick, lively head, with a brownish tint.

Aroma: Interesting mixture of alcohol, light chocolate, and cream. But there's also a not so nice side aroma that I can't quite put my finger on.

Taste: Whoah, pretty rich stuff, chocolate, malt, alcohol. There's not much in depth to it though, and the aftertaste is disappointing. Initially very promising though.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, heavy bodied.

Overall: Not quite to my taste. It's a little bit different, but it's lacking in the roast department, and the high ABV comes through too much.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 16:59:38 | More by Arborescence

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into tulip. best before either 05/12 or 12/12.

A: definitely opaque. definitely dark brown. head is tan and comprised of tiny bubbles. starts big, retreats to a rim. lacing is minimal.

S: caramel, toffee. lots of toffee. cigar wrapper. port. dark fruits include prunes and currants. a little bit of alcohol comes out at the tail end of a deep wiff.

T: grapes. black cherries. the bulk of the body is more dark fruit sweet, rather than roast. a lingering blend of tobacco, roast, and coffee comprises the finish. i cant get over this finish, very unique, very tobacco. i can almost a hint of smoke.

M: a fine carbonation on a full body.

D: big, without being RIS big. and the abv/flavor certainly could play with the RIS's. glad i was able to try this brew from duck rabbit as it can be a little more difficult to find than some of there other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 01:03:08 | More by Jimmys

SLeffler27

New York

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A huge, three-inch, dark chestnut foam glistens as it slowly turns to seafoam over a dark brown, almost black, beer with brown highlights. The cascading action on pouring is long lasting in a Harp pint glass.

The aroma is rather muted with roasted malt and fusil alcohol and some coffee.

Black coffee with some light chocolate and well balanced. This is a nice beer with no “wow” factor.

A light body that is almost flat with well-controlled alcohol.

An easy drinking beer, reminiscent of a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 21:29:35 | More by SLeffler27

Friskybeerrapist

Florida

4.7/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I want to start and say this is a very good beer from Duck-Rabbit, like most of the other reviews this brew is true to style and all the flavor notes are there. This beer is so well balanced and drinkable than lesser baltic porters, it deserves to be cherished. Saying you're "The dark beer specialist" is a bold statement but, they get it right with this one!

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 19:09:06 | More by Friskybeerrapist

avalon07

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a growler to a pint glass. Had a jet black color and a thick texture. There was an inch of foamy, tan-colored head that didn't last very long. Average lacing.

S: Interesting aroma of dark fruit, malt, and some coffee.

T: There's a lot going on here: Coffee, chocolate, malt, dark fruit (plums, figs), and a slight hoppiness in the finish. A big flavor that's almost more like something in a stout. A complex taste.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a surprisingly dry finish. Medium-bodied.

O: One of Duck-Rabbit's best creations. Very tasty, very likeable.

Serving type: growler

04-14-2012 12:29:44 | More by avalon07

Phelps

Arizona

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Duck rabbit baltic porter

Bottle sent by tobelerone, poured into my Bell’s tulip.

Burnt brown-black, with nary a ray of light visible. One inch of oaky head is fuzzy and dense, descending only slowly. When it gets to half an inch tall, it resembles a fleece blanket and would probably last as long as one if I let it.

There’s a reason Baltic porter is my favorite style, and it’s the complexity displayed here. Milk chocolate, prunes, yogurt raisins and smoke exist in perfect proportion and harmony.

The flavor begins a little too tangy for me, with the raisiny/pruny dark fruit character taking over the front of the flavor, along with a sweet cola note. As it warms up, however, savory chocolate and roast rises up and balances the tang. The swallow smooths things out, adding to the chocolate touches of vanilla and smoke.

The mouthfeel is, in a word, fluffy. It’s light and creamy as whipped cream, with a soft tingle of carbonation and a little alcohol burn in the nose. Very nice stuff.

Duck Rabbit has themselves a nice example of the style here. The flavor’s solid and the mouthfeel is out of this world. Glad I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 05:33:42 | More by Phelps

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a standard pint glass. The brew appears black in color with a thin tan cap that quickly recedes. When held to the light, there is some faint redness and lighter brown clarity vaguely along the outer most edges. The small head hardly gets a half finger of froth when violently swirled but it does produces some spots of lace on the glass.

The aroma is dark and chocolate-like with some pleasant roasty quality. As the nose opens up, it gets very nutty with a hint of raisins and licorice. Towards the back is a faint note of citrus, minerals and sulfur. All in all a very pleasant and well rounded nose to this. I was surprised and enjoyed the dark nutty aspect that showed itself from time to time in this.

The taste is pleasantly roasty that immediately gives way to hints of fruity alcohol. Raisins, molasses, licorice, plums... a bit of tobacco and back to the roasty earthy elements. There is a hint of citrus and the 9% alcohol is felt with a warmth down the back of the throat and slight fusel to fruity alcohol hit. The aftertaste faintly showcases the nutty aspects that I liked so much from the aroma and really draws out with an earthen flavor that really contrasts the fruited qualities this brew displays upfront.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest to light level of carbonation. For a 9% lager, this is fairly well tamed yet has its edges about it that are bold. It is fairly crisp and easily approachable but I dont think I could drink more than a single serving at a time. This is a fairly decent brew that is worth giving a try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 02:38:29 | More by stakem

argock

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a Shaker pint at Mellow Mushroom (Charlottesville, VA).

A: Jet black with a thin cap of beige head which leave numerous thin fingers of lacing.

S: Strong coffee and chocolate notes early with broad dark maltiness and a faint hint of booze.

T: Big coffee and chocolate flavors with a tall wave of roast and dark maltiness and a dash of licorice. ALcohol adds some fruitiness which really fills this brew out.

M: Medium-full bodied with light carbonation and a strong chocolate and dark malt aftertaste.

O: Duck-Rabbit's best offering and just as good on-tap. Strong, slightly boozy, flavorful and a great pint for the winter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2012 01:39:02 | More by argock

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Currently, this is the #15 ranked Baltic Porter here on BA. That may changed shortly since I honestly think that a lot of the ass clowns below my review don't know what they're talking about.

Served in a Duck-Rabbit snifter. Could that be any more perfect?

A: Not much head... rather anemic actually. The liquid is actually very dark, but not abysmally so.

S: Lots of dark, roasty malts on this sucker for sure! Also, I'm sure no coffee was used here, but I got some on my little snout.

T: Coffee, dark roastiness, and maybe a bit of dark fruit (figs). Some candy, caramel goodness was definitely in reach of my taste buds here also. Rock on!

M: I wish this were a tad thicker, but overall, this was thick enough. The carbonation was actually very prickly and cut through the ABV quite well. No lacing.

O: To be honest, I haven't tried many Baltic Porters in my life that I haven't liked. However, I'd rank this up there with the best of them.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:13:08 | More by Chaney

jegross2

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewing the Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery.
Score: 83

Enjoy by December 2012. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/20/12.

Appearance: Pours an opaque deep brown color with less than a finger of creamy tan head that quickly settles to a ring around the glass and foggy cap that covers half the beer. Superior lacing, superior retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Huge notes of banana bread with a hint of roasted chocolate malt. Hint of barley, and a little yeasty funk. Not much else. 3/5

Taste: Roasted dark chocolate, milk chocolate, banana bread, banana and yeast. Some licorice and a moderate amount of Belgian-style fruit. There is a touch of dark fruit flavor and maybe a hint of oak. A little intensely flavored, especially as it warms. Tastes more like a Belgian-style beer with stout qualities than a porter. Lingering fruitiness and chocolatey banana flavor. Light booziness too. Definitely a sipper. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Near full bodied with high-medium carbonation. Creamy-ish mouthfeel. Sweet finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid, but uninspiring beer that is a little more intense than anticipated. Gets a bit unbalanced as the beer warms.

Recommendation: Worth trying, decently priced, but not worth seeking out.

Pairings: Banana bread.

Cost: $8.99 for a six pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 08:32:44 | More by jegross2

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thank to Peabody's for having the Duck Rabbit Baltic Porter.

A. Dark with medium dark foam, a really nice look.

S. Coffee with some sweetness. The anticipation of a big beer.

T. Again, coffee with some bitter sweet chocolate and oaky flavor which is nice.

M. Big mouthfeel, big coffee flavor with some sour and acidity to the feel. I was not sure what to think.

O. Great beer with good complexity and after reading about the style I would say this beer is spot on with the English Baltic Porter recipe. Nice job Duck Rabbit!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 23:40:36 | More by beerenjoyer1

Steasy66

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Opaque black, head fades almost instantly
S- Coffee, burnt/roasted malt
T- A lot of coffee, somewhat sweet, some roasted malt, fairly sour finish
M- Almost completely flat, decent consistency
O- I don't know if I got a bad bottle or not, but this one seemed a bit funky. The finish is quite sour, which I wasn't really expecting, and the coffee flavor is a bit overwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 05:56:58 | More by Steasy66

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

$9 for a six pack from Green's Beverages in Atlanta, GA.

A: near opaque, poured with brown head that dissipated quickly, no lacing
S: full, roasted malt and intense nutty quality with cocoa
T: full flavored beer, deep roasted malt, right amount of hops in finish that don't dominate, chocolatey
M: full-bodied with very rich deep roasted malt quality, very drinkable for ABV, some heat
O: well-made beer but unusual deep nutty flavor doesn't fit for me

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 02:29:07 | More by wisrarebeer

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle, received in a beer of the month 6 pack from Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, Virginia, into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a nice black color with a one finger light brown head that dissipates quickly. Smells heavily of dark malt which is quite sweet, but not overly so. Tastes of very dark malt and slight hops, very well balanced. Carbonation is right and goes down extremely smooth. Overall, a very good beer, and one I am surprised about how good it is, as I am normally not a huge fan of porter.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:59:28 | More by cyclonece09

ToasterChef

Maine

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes typed up during the recent BA server transition.

A: Dark brown, nearly black. Thins tan foam head. Pretty good lacing.

S: Chocolate, roasted malt, and a slight smokiness give this beer an excellent aroma.

T: Hearty, smoky and roasted flavor. It has a slight bacon flavor! Bittering is mild, and there is a touch of alcohol at the finish.

M: Lots of carbonation and a body that is slightly heavier than average. Coating is thin, but has a lot of flavor.

O: I like this beer. The smokiness works really well. I would certainly order it again!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 15:38:42 | More by ToasterChef

lanamj

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle served in a tulip.

A- Pours a nice bitch black with a dark brown head. The head is thin upon a moderately aggressive pour and dissipates rather quickly, to maintain a small ring of decent lacing on the outer edge of the glass.

S- Lots of sweet and roasted aromas. Roasted malt, sweet lactose, prunes, roasted coffee, sweet dark molasses, and some sweet alcohol. Nice and smooth with strong aroma.

T- Lots of roasted malts and coffee followed by sweet milk and dark fruits. It finishes kinda heavy for a porter with a warming effect from the higher then normal abv. I like it!!

M- Smooth and milky. Kinda thin but still easy drinking. Carbonation is spot on.

O- I have always loved this offering from Duck-Rabbit and will continue to. I feel for the style it is truly one of the best. It has a abv content that makes me curious to see what time will do for this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 22:49:42 | More by lanamj