Madison Vermont Special Porter (VSP)

This is one dark porter. Had it on tap at the brewery. Little/no tan head. The maple syrup, though a nice vermont touch is overwhelming and ruined what could be an ok porter.

Not great. Pours a somewhat dark brown, but thin too. Aroma is sweet and toasty. Flavor is roasted malt and a tiny bit of english hops maybe. Very watery and lackluster.

Deep dark brown coloured body with a super thin light brown head. Aroma of chocolate with some maltiness and not much else. Light-bodied; Strong chocolate and roasted malt flavours with some other light sweetness throughout. Aftertaste shows some bitterness, although the sweentess really comes through. Overall, not a horrible porter - on par with other brewpubs. I sampled this beer on draught from the brewpub in Bennington, Vermont on 23-October-2005.

My stepfather brought back a growler from this brewery and said it was their porter. I’m guessing it was this one. (it’s one day old) Black pour with a large head and good lacing and retention. Aroma is big time chocolate with an almost ashy characteristic I’m having trouble describing. I almost want to say smokey, but this is not smoked. Also there is quite a bit of caramel here. A hint of spicy hops in the finish, but still fairly sweet. Definite English feel here. Enjoyable porter, something different than the American ones.