Captain Lawrence Smoke from the Oak (Wine Barrel)

Brewed by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Style: Porter
Pleasantville, New York USA

RateBeer Rating, Style and Glass: 98, Porter, English Pint, Stem Glass ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.4% in 25.4 fl oz. estimated at 340C Purchased at: OakTree Buy Rite in South Plainsfield, NJ for $14.99 (special thanks to Jay for this back store grab.) Aroma: wine, oak, age, extraordinary, overwhelming, pungent. 10 out of 10. Visuals: fully opaque, black, thin wispy tan head, strong lacing. 5 out of 5. Taste: grapes, oak, electric, sauerkraut, wet, burnt, pine, cherry, beautifully crafted. 9 out of 10. Palate: surf, mercury, long, strong, bitter, sour. 5 out of 5. Overall: Reminds me of the smell of a house burning. I wouldn’t seek it out again - smoked is not my favorite style, though I’m glad I had a chance to sample it. It’s extremely well crafted, and in my palate, it’s extremely close to wine. 17 out of 20.

Very lush, extremely dark brown pour. A dark tan head is very well retained, comprised of fat bubbles and imparting sticky gobs of lacing. Aroma has notes of dark chocolate, smoked grains, toasted grains, sour fruits, raisins, powerful red wine, oak, vanilla and plums. Alcohol is nowhere to be found. Marvelously unique and completely captivating. The flavor spins off in multiple directions. Most notable are well integrated vinous characters, assorted chocolates that provide a robust depth of sweetness, bitterness from alcohol and roastiness lying deep within, and brutish tannic slivers that grind into the tiny crevasses in the corners of my mouth. Acidity is very low for this much red wine and oak character, as is the amount of smokiness when compared to levels found in the nose. The finish is chocolatey, vinous, lush and very substantial in both power and length, slowly drying and mildly bitter. Mouthfeel is soft, well carbonated and medium-full bodied. A truly one-of-a-kind beer, reckless with its assertion of flavor and power. I loved it.

After having the standard smoked porter, Rum, and Bourbon versions this is both a treat and a nice chance to see the differences between various barrels with a porter. I personally think more beers should go the wine barrel route rather than bourbon so I’m glad I get to try this second batch.. This guy pours nicely (I did a pinot glass and a snifter - both good) with a dark brown color and a fairly large tan head - A lot of carbonation out of the bottle, but not a gusher like the Rum version. Aroma is a wonderful mix of fresh off the vine grapes, smooth oak with some nuttiness (like walking through a cave at a good winery), hints of chocolate and additional vinous fruits as well. Flavor has a nice woody-red wine tast as well (closest to Pinot Noir). Also getting some nice smokiness, chocolate, coffee, and some light sourness. Mouthfeel is nice and this beer really would go well with fine foods. I’m a big fan of Scott’s beers and he has outdone himself again with this fine brew - I hope this one continues to be produced (I did see some Merlot barrels in use during my latest visit to the brewery so maybe the next batch is already underway!) Overall this is a wonderful matchup of wine and beer. Brilliant!

Muddy brown. Vinous, chocolatey aroma with plum and pear...near endless depth of complexity. The body is a lttle bit spritzy, but really vibrant. Great flavours - wood, wine, chocolate, pear, smoke, Ting, and on it goes. A real masterwork.

GABF 2009: Pours a dark, glistening burgundy-tinted brown with just a thin halo of suds to coat the edges of the glass. The nose was a wonderful display of deep red wine sourness and dark, smokey malts with woody grape accents. Very earthy and woody, vinious, sour, deep malty smokiness, tannic...grapey...bliss.

Bottle... Post RBSG ’08 O-Town/Vero Beach Throwdown Chapter 8... This beer rocks!... Pitch black with a small, creamy, off-white head. The nose provides chocolate, black cherries and lactic acid. Full-bodied with a silky mouthfeel and lively carbonation. Chocolaty and tangy. Lengthy, tart, dry finish. Big time thanks to TheCheeseMan for giving me the chance to finally try this excellent, world class brew!

Fine brew with a nice balance between the sweetness from the porter and the sourness from the wine barrel. Extremely drinkable and a really nice take on a flemish sour. Roasty Duchesse? I want another one. Thanks Paps.

Thanks to hopdog for sharing this 750. Pours a deep dark black with an average bubbly darker tan head that left some lacing. Aroma of red wine, some oak, smoke buried in there. Great aroma but the porter and smoke gets covered up by the strong barrel aged thing going on here. Flavor of vanilla, oak, chocolate, woody, grapes and just a great mix of flavors. Really think the barrel aging did wonders with this one.