Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

Brewed by Breckenridge Brewery
Style: Porter
Denver, Colorado USA

Wow...a real vanilla bomb. For those of us that thought baking vanilla was wonderful when we were young. Breckenridge has made a very drinkable Porter that certainly appeals to vanilla fans.

I got this off the tap list just because I was "jonesing" for some skiing in this snow-less town. I smelled the vanilla coming off the top even before the waitress put it down. Very heavy and tasty, although not many people at my table liked it.

12 oz bottle. Pours a deep brown/mahogany color with a mocha tan head that dissipates rather quickly. However it does produce some rather nice lacing on the glass. It also appears to be a tad to watery and thin just from looking. Aroma is slightly roasty with a small note of coffee backed with sweet malt. Flavor is exactly what you would think from the name. It’s a nice creamy, smooth porter with a just right kiss of vanilla. There are notes of chocolate and a subtle, almost coffee finish. Very delicious!! Mouthfeel is full and smooth. This thing just slides down your throat and leave that wonderful taste lingering in your mouth.

Gorgeous brew...dark warm malty flavor. Tastes like drinking dark hot chocolate. Smooth as silk and beautiful deep caramel head. Had on a whim at the Cyclone Liquors’ tasting and boy am I glad I did.

On tap at the Brewery at the Ballpark. Pours dark brown with a light foamy tan head. Nice coffee and nut aroma. Little sweet vanilla flavor, then a mild balanced bitter, then a sweet vanilla finish. This is light bodied and a great porter. If you go in expecting vanilla, you’ll love this brew! One of the more memorable beers (out of 197) on this trip! A big huge vanilla bomb in a glass. Definitely underrated.

Dark brown with a slight umber tone at the edges. Thin capping of light sandy colored smooth foam. Keeps a slim collar throughout and the lacing is minimal in a few spots. Aroma is dark and rich with a somewhat burnt brown sugar and molasses tang with a dark vanilla sweetness. Taste is good, perhaps a bit overly sweetened in the front at first, but begins to draw out some as it sits. Flavors are dark and favorably rich and lasting with a doughy, milky center surrounded by its dark vanilla skin. Rounds off nicely into the finish with a milk chcolate tone and a resurrected tang of vanilla and molaases like sweetness with just a very slight note of burnt dryness. Feel is milky smooth and soft on the palate as it quenches favorably well in a medium statured body. Clean, fresh, and well rounded feel and flavors throughout its stay with just the right amount of bearable sweetness and vanilla. Although this did seem a bit overbearing at first few sips but it tended to mellow off some and was no longer bothersome as it grews on me. The little chocolate push in the finish really helped. Although, as well to mention here, this might not be for everone who thinks of a porter and try this stuff. My take is that its a solid, drinkable little porter thats worth trying out.

Dark walnut brown with a thin tan cap. Very rich aromas of vanilla, oak, chocolate, hazelnuts. Palate is loaded with same, with a medium-bodied, creamy mouthfeel. This walks the edge of being a sweet stout. Delicious in every way, well balanced, and surprisingly drinkable for such a flavour-rich brew. I loved it. 6-pack shared with Parksy.

Bottle. Dark porter color, small head. Aroma is malty, vanilla, touch of anise. Flavor is nice, roasted malt, sweet with vanilla and no hop flavor at all, hint of coffee and toffee, slight bite in middle. Sweet finish. Good specialty or dessert beer.