Fellow HoB readers:

Today, I am tasting a truly remarkable vanilla porter from Breckenridge Brewing in Colorado. The problem is, the bottle says nothing of ABV, so my spelling and grammar may get worse as this post continues. Actually, I just looked it up; it’s only 4.7%. But that vanilla kick really makes it one to savor. Far be it from me to pound this sweet, complex, aromatic masterpiece.

The tasting notes are as wordy as the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal. I’d describe the character to be smooth and syrupy, and a little heavier than I expected given the ABV. Clearly, the “pure vanilla” as it says on the bottle makes this unique. The color is quite dark, certainly to the point of only vague translucence. But the flavor was perhaps the most interesting aspect of this beer.

 Many beers have a range of flavors. For instance, an IPA begins with a bitter slap to the face, then a trip up your nose with the aroma, a burn down the back of the throat from the alcohol, and then a malty finish. Repeat process sip-after-sip until the glass is empty. Unless it warms up, or you have something with onions or garlic in it, the flavor stays pretty-much the same. Breckenridge Vanilla porter was a consistent, concentrated cavalcade of vanilla, roasted barley, coffee, and chocolate (in that order of precedence…your mileage may vary). Again, what amazes me is the aroma–it smells more like it should be 7.4%, not 4.7%!

You have to hand it to Breckenridge for coming up with yet another incredible product. Bravo.

Sarge, you should arrange a blind tasting of your vanilla bean porter with this one (where’s your review, by the way?)