Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter

September 2009 Beer of the Month Club, 11/6/09

Aroma: Fairly subtle nose that opens slightly as it warms, but does give off nuttiness, roasted notes, and some coffee
Appearance: This one pours a dark brown color with a red hue and a thick and foamy light brown head
Flavor: The roasted malty flavor is decent but a little on the thin side for the style
Palate: This one drinks pretty smoothly, and has a decent mouthfeel, even though it is a bit thin in body
Overall Impression: Overall, this beer was alright, but it left me wanting more. It was just thin in all aspects. If you let it warm and open a bit, it does improve, but it is still pretty thin overall.

Over carbonated. Pours dark brown, big creamy light brown head. The aroma is coffee, toffee, roasted nuttiness. The mouthfeel is dry, nutty, coffee, hints of chocolate. I;m not a big Shipyard fan, but this was pretty good.

Creamy and nutty. Roasted nut aromas with hints of coffee and chocolate. Not too dark but not too light

12 oz bottle (thanks again Pam). Before even opening the bottle, I have to give Sea Dog some credit for creativity with the hazelnut. After opening the bottle, the hazelnut nuttiness in the aroma is definitely evident, but not over the top. Aroma notes balanced with some creamy coffee, caramel malts, a light indistinct fruitiness and crisp hop. Not too much head on the pour and looks a little thin on the body, but it does have a nice crimson-brown color. There are some really solid flavors here, but the body and feel of the beer prevent from moving up the ranks as a truly great beer as it also feels a bit too thin on the palate and is a bit overly sharp at times for a beer that work out great if it was a tad creamier. Again, the flavors are nice and well balanced, with some roasted nuttiness (not as much hazelnut as expected but definitely there and it works well), mildly sweet fruits, dark malts, some almost oat-like grains, and a good backing of earthy hop. So, I do consider this a good beer, but with a bit more care in the production, it could be quit a bit better.

12oz bottle. Pours dark brown color with tan head. Has a sweet nut aroma with a hint of coffee. Can’t taste much hazelnut but it is in the aroma. Finishes with a roast chocolate taste. Not a bad brew.

Bottled. Dark brown red with thin tan head. Lots of nut aroma along with roasted notes and sweet malt aroma. Taste is weak for a porter and the ABV is to low If your going to make a porter make it a porter, but interesting nose and good appearance.

Thick head on the pour with coffee notes... hazelnut wasn’t prevalent. Decent, though.

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown color with a 1/2" beige head. Aroma is hazelnut, chocolate and roasted malts. Decent body with average carbonation. Flavor is chocolate, toffee, nuts, all with a hazelnut background. Quite differant.