porterhouse (1017), Alna, Maine, USA Dec 22, 2008 Pours mostly clear dark chestnut brown with three fingers of frothy tan head. Head recedes to a lasting frothy cap. Looks like a brown ale. Light aroma of chocolate along with a nutty brown-sugariness. Lots of foamy sheets and rings of lacing similar to the Berkshire Ale I had last night. Flavor is a nutty brown-sugariness along with light chocolate. As it warms there is a bit of licorice towards finish. Light hoppy bitter bite overlays and provides a light pinch in finish. Pretty tasty. This comes off more like a brown ale than a porter. 22 oz. bottle from Rum Runner. WeeHeavySD (2187), San Diego (Hillcrest), California, USA Dec 22, 2008 Bomber I bought somewhere in the Berkshires a year or two ago. Thought Id pop it open and see if it was still good. Pours orangey brown with a tan head. Nose is sweet and malty. Taste is malty, but extremely light. Im guessing the balancing act thats playing here is less balanced due to the age of the bottle. Its ok, but not stellar. TheGent (66), , Massachusetts, USA Oct 12, 2008 This is a local favorite which I have had many times but have just now rated. I do suggest that you sample this on tap and not from the bottle. This rating is based on the tap version. This is a fun beer for fans of the brewery since it combines two of their other offerings which im told was begun by a now passed brewery employee for his own consumption and his nickname was "shabadoo". a great dark body on this which crowns to a thin white head. At first sip it may seem a bit lackluster but all the flavor is in the back of the palate with chocolate and smokey wood dust flooding you as your about to swallow for a nice surprise. DrDavid (673), Johnson, Vermont, USA Sep 5, 2008 (Bottle). Sweet malt and hops aroma. Dark reddish brown color, with a light tan head. Much lighter body than some regular porters. And you can definitely discern the blend of brown ale and Drayman’s. The result is a very pleasing brew, with sweetness, malt/hops flavor, and also some bitterness. Hard to describe, but the effort works. Not sure this belongs in the "porter" category.....but where else would it go? PhatB420 (63), Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA Aug 31, 2008 Man, I love the shabadoo. This brew gets better each time I have one. Goes down smooth, and the coffe undertones are great along with the chocolate and suttle spices. Great beer.
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