Alaskan Baltic Porter

Brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co
Style: Baltic Porter
Juneau, Alaska USA

2009. This beer pours coffee black, dark maroon-brown at the edges. The head is light brown and dissipates quickly. The aroma is a bit cherry dominant. It’s surprisingly not roasty in the aroma. Besides the cherries, there are also caramel, vanilla and alcohol notes. The flavor is a tad sweet. I wish the oak was a bit stronger. Actually, I wish that the malt was stronger, as well. The roasted malt come out a bit on the palate, but there just isn’t quite a big enough malt flavor to push this already quite good beer into the same ballpark as the best Baltic Porters. The beer seems a bit bogged down in alcohol without enough corresponding richness. I can see it improving with age, but I can also imagine it going downhill.

Bottle graciously shared by Robert at SL, fun times! The pour was deep black with a weak head and lacing. I was excited to get at this until I smelled it, which instantly crashed all expectations. It smelled like someone took cotton candy and marshmallows and mixed them into a jug of pure Hershey’s syrup with a dash of vanilla extract here or there. The flavor identically matched all expectations set up by the aroma. Wow, a highly disappointing "beer" in that regard, although if continuing forward like you’re drinking a sugar treat for kids with the upside of getting buzzed: this might be for you. Mouthfeel was sticky and syrupey, obviously, but any deep traditional baltic or imperial porter elements were just overwhelmed by the candy drink unfortunately. However, I was much appreciative of the festive event and getting to try this anyway! Thanks, Robert!

Very nice beer, on tap at the SD strong ale fest 09. Pours a dark brown. Dark malts, sweet dark fruit, wood, some chocolate and vanilla. Tasty.

On tap at the 2009 Pizza Port Strong Ale Fest, this beer impressed me. Nice looking, nice sweet flavor, very well done.

Thanks to Hayduke for sending this long desired beer. Pour is quite dark with just a bit more red than the typical porter. A smallish tan head has excellent staying power and leaves thick lacing. Aroma is whiskey and vanilla. Feel is velvety smooth. Flavor is also whiskey with plenty of wood, beans, anise, soy sauce, and roasted brown sugar. The sweetness is almost cloying. This could be an impy porter with the alcohol and whiskey notes. This porter was well worth waiting for and it did not disappoint. Big, black, and smooth. Like Aretha Franklin’s singing.

22 oz. bottle. Pours a medium beige head, of good duration, over a reddish brown (SRM 35) clear body......nose is cherry, coffee, chocolate....taste initially is cherry, chocolate, then coffee, vanilla, later a bit of terpene harshness, sweet throughout.....mouth feel is medium to heavy, tiny bubbled carbonation makes for a creamy sensation. This is a bit too sweet and the cherry flavors a bit too prominent. A really great Baltic has a lighter sweetness, and although present, the fruity characteristics are more subtle. The appearance and mouth feel of this are almost perfect.

2009 bomber. Poured deeper brown with an easily-resuscitated tan head. The aroma picked up tart oak and chocolate-covered cherries upfront, with a little oud bruin flair.. blended chocolates, mocha, and vanilla provided malt support.. brown sugar and honey rolled in as it warmed up, along with some a dark spices.. seems like they threw everything in here, and it worked. The flavor was centered around brownie-like chocolates, with lots and lots of complementary malts to back it up (coffee, molasses, and vanilla beans come to mind).. grated cherry skins, char, and mild smoke accented.. the oak was most apparent around the finish, giving a dry, tart impression. Medium-bodied with low carbonation on the palate.. actually somewhat of a slick feel.. dry and grainy overall.. the vanilla addition worked for the most part, but became cloying near and through the finish.

Pours a dark brown with small head and light retention. Smells slightly nutty and fruity with a definite hint of alcohol. Thick syrupy body with light cherry and vanilla flavors (obviously), alcohol, and ends with a cherry flavor. Bold body with a medium level of carbonation.