Review 75: Atwater Vanilla Java Porter

Review 75

6/27/12

Atwater Vanilla Java Porter: 6.0% abv

Since we've been trying quite a few porters lately, we went on and got another one. Clearly, we're just unorganized and posting our reviews out of order, but just don't pay attention to the dates. You want to be a Michigan company supporter? Well here it is. Atwater is a brewery in the Detroit riverside district. Help our spirits economy and buy local beers. Just make sure its the good ones. This is a light porter, classic to the idea that porters should be the lighter cousins of stouts, but maybe this is the lighter, younger, weaker, nerdier cousin, because it sure lacks in a lot of areas, albeit the nose is moderately complex. 

It will give you those coffee and vanilla classics, with some nice mocha, toffee, caramel, butterscotch, and creamy milk notes as well. Taste-wise, you get a different story. The arrival starts with an intriguing tartness, and includes some mixed berries. It barrels into a pool of water though. As in, the taste is noticeably watery. The taste has those three classic stout characters that we love so very very much, and mention even more. Coffee, caramel, and vanilla. 

We should make an acronym for it to speed things up: CCV. Genius. For all of those brewers out there, take notes. To close out the taste, there is a nice milk chocolate note present, but it isn't well represented, because of how watery it is in body. The finish...CCV. That's it. It's medium long, but sort of boring, to be honest. The breakdown then, is that this beer fills its shoes, but those shoes have holes in the bottoms. It's a nice lighter dark beer to help those trying to enter the world of stouts, but don't expect it to be more then a light drinker, and we thought that was what lagers were for. 

Score:7.5/10

Review 72: Anchor Porter

Review 72

6/25/12

Anchor Porter: 5.6% abv

This is a very special review tonight. This is a micro-brewery from San Francisco, and there is a reason to be excited about it. We've gone to a special store, which does "Crash Courses" on beers every day. Those special beers get discount prices at this already super-competitive store. More on this store later. Anchor prides themselves on unique beers, and man, do they deliver on that front. Porters are known for their rich coffee flavor and lighter style, but there are some very unique perks to this one.

On the nose, you will find a disappointing lack of complexity, but don't be discouraged. On the nose we found primarily, your standard coffee, with vanilla and caramel giving some sweetness to the smell, but also including a light, sweet apple note when the beer is agitated, and also slight brown sugar. The nose is pleasantly light, telling you that it only wants to be a porter, and not box with it's heavier stout cousins. 

On the taste, we have coffee of course, but less of it than you'd expect. The arrival is led by a very outlandish green apple tartness, but also includes cinnamon, bitter roasted malt, and toffee. We feel that there is a lack of balance and evenness in the flavor, although it is complex enough. Here's where things get really good. The finish is wonderfully long, with great notes of vanilla, bitter malt, pine, coffee, and an utterly unique spicy red pepper subtly nestled in the back of the finish. 

The whole beer is definitely dry, which is different from your average porter. Unfortunately, the complexity of the beer is lacking, and balance is disappointing. This is still unique, and definitely worth a try. It certainly raised our brows. Let's get back to this shop. If you are in the Kalamazoo area, make a trip to Beer and Skittles and check out their awesome prices, good selection, and wonderful customer service. This beer will be on sale at a special price tomorrow. 

Score: 8.0/10