Empyrean Dark Side Vanilla Porter

Brewed by Empyrean Brewing Company
Style: Porter
Lincoln, Nebraska USA

Very dark brown with a light tan head that disappears quickly. Aroma of roasted malt, semi-sweet chocolate, and vanilla. Sweet vanilla flavor, some roasted coffee and cocoa, but overall, pretty weak flavored. Medium body, lively carbonation.

12oz, no date. Deep ruby brown with a miniscule beige fizz that didn’t last. Light roasted malt and grain, a little vanilla, and some light chocolate sweetness. Flavor adds lots of milk chocolate--I feel that I am eating a candy bar--more specifically a Nestle (R) Crunch Bar. Even though it was not that great, Somehow I enjoyed it a fair amount more than I thought I would have. Minimally roasty finish. Mild carbonation, light body. Probably one of Empyrean’s better brews.

I’m not a fan of so called "flavored" beers, but this one does pretty well. Not too much vanilla and a pretty well rounded porter.

Date: 07/02/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

clear dark amber, sweet chocolate and vanilla aroma, lots of carbonation causing a lively mouthfeel, nice rich chocolate flavor, vanilla sweetness,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Pours dark mahogany. Heavy carbonation forms an off-white head that fades rather quickly. Aromas of caramel malt, sugar, vanilla extract, a touch of smoked malt and an odd cola/hazelnut liqueur combination. The sugary element is heavy in the flavor and resembles simple syrup, which lends to a weird artificial sweetness. Vanilla and caramel lurk below, as well as the aforementioned hazelnut. Finishes lightly toasty with vanilla lingering. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body and a little watery, fizzy carbonation cutting the palate presence further. It’s almost like someone poured an herbal blend of vanilla soda into this.

Appearance: Pours a stark-colored brown with a bubbly, ivory white head. Smell: Some slight dark, roasted notes in the aroma. Aromawise, the vanilla isn’t overabundant, and mingles well with other scents of coffee and sweetened chocolate. Taste: Faintly sweet malts upfront give way to a chocolate flavor and a roasted bitterness. The vanilla peaks through all the while, but really manages to emerge on the finish. Ultimately, all the light, sweet flavors and fizzy carbonation suggest a vanilla soda. Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Carbonation is noticeably fizzy. Drinkability: A fairly pleasant beer that makes for easy drinking.

Small light brown head, retention is fair, lace is minimal. A mostly black brew, some red edging resides. Nose of vanilla and light roast, maybe some cherry notes as well. Body is light, not thin, it,s OK. Light roast flavors, hint of coffee beans, vanilla and some smoke in the fairly dry finish. Props to eaglefan538 for this groovy Nebraska brew! Thanks Brian!

A pleasant surprise while staying a night in Lincoln, NE. Strong vanilla and chocolate flavors. Pours a dark, stout-like color with little or no head. Not a strong alcohol flavor. Very unique and drinkable.