Alaskan Brewing Baltic Porter Ale

11-22-2008, 06:18 AM

McKBrew

I LOVE BEER!

Recipes

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: Silverdale, Washington

Posts: 7,930

McKBrew's Gallery

BLOG ENTRIES: 2

Alaskan Brewing Baltic Porter Ale

Brewery / Brand:
Alaska Brewing
Brewery Location:
Juneau, AK
ABV:
9.8

Glassware:
Belgian Tulip
Price:
$8.99/Bottle
Serving Type / Size:
22oz Bottle
Aroma:
Roasted Chocolate, caramel, and hints of espresso.
Appearance:
Pours dark brown with a medium brown, thick head that clings to the side of the glass in a semi-solid lace curtain.
Flavor:
Sweet Chocolate milk, Raisins, Banana and maple mask the strong alcohol. Alcohol starts to creep out as the beer warms, but none of the characteristic alcohol warmth that is common with a beer containing 9.8% ABV. Very little to no hop presence.
Mouthfeel:
Smooth and creamy, like a glass of milk. Not as strong as I would have expected.
General Impression:
If I go by style guidelines, then it seems to meet all of the characteristics of a Baltic Porter. Honestly, I didn't meet my expectations. The beer was very sweet, with little hop presence. While it went down smooth, the sweetness was the dominant factor, and I'm not big on overly sweet beers.

Style Guidelines

Not having tried a Baltic Porter before, I didn't know what to expect. The BJCP style guidelines hint that sweetness is a must for this style, but also mentions that malt character should make itself present as the beer develops. Additionally hops should be low to medium and balance this beer out. I didn't find any balance in this beer at all, and it remained sweet (almost like chocolate milk) through the entire bottle. The one thing that was true to style was the exceptional smoothness.

If all Baltic Porters are like this, then I don't see myself enjoying them too much.

Not really what I was expecting. I bought two bottles, and will be saving one for an year, but I'm not going to rush out and buy another anytime soon. I'm hoping it improves with age, but the lack of hops doesn't give me much hope. If I were going to grade by style I'd give it a C+.

People on BeerAdvocate liked it more than I did.

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts vB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off Trackbacks are Off Pingbacks are On Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Polonia Porter (Baltic Porter)	Rhoobarb	Porter	5	11-27-2009 10:26 PM
Recipe for 06 GABF Gold Winner Foothills Brewing Baltic Porter?	maui808	Recipes/Ingredients	2	05-13-2009 12:34 AM
Baltic Porter	ohiobrewtus	Porter	0	03-03-2009 07:46 PM
Baltic Porter Clone?? Anyone?	Donthoseme	Recipes/Ingredients	0	10-30-2008 02:33 PM
Baltic Porter	Turricaine	Recipes/Ingredients	8	10-04-2006 07:45 PM