Vanilla Java Porter (VJP)
Atwater Brewery

Vanilla Java Porter (VJP)Vanilla Java Porter (VJP)
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From:
Atwater Brewery
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Porter
Ranked #416
ABV:
5%
Score:
79
Ranked #26,643
Avg:
3.47 | pDev: 18.73%
Reviews:
566
Ratings:
1,870
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 27, 2024
Added:
Oct 21, 2006
Wants:
  37
Gots:
  426
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Clydesdale:
Photo of Clydesdale
Reviewed by Clydesdale from District of Columbia

3.37/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Nearly opaque dark brown with a medium-sized, creamy, roasted marshmallow color head. Retention is average, with some lacing.

S: Vanilla and freshly ground coffee feature prominently in the aroma. A bit of a burnt/roasted malt smells, perhaps some caramel as well. Fairly appealing, but soft and not especially complex.

T: A sweet, watery coffee flavor accompanied by a nice vanilla taste. There's a bit of lactic sweetness as well. A light roasted malt flavor that shows off a bit of dark fruit. A touch of leafy hops shows up near the end to balance things a bit.

M: Rather thin and watery. Carbonation is lifeless. I think this beer would be much more appealing if it had a chewier, fuller mouthfeel with snappier carbonation.

D: This one tastes pretty decent, but overall it comes across as a very pedestrian porter with some vanilla and coffee flavors added to give the impression of depth. That's not to say that they've failed, necessarily, just that they didn't aim high enough to begin with.
Feb 26, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.89 by NRMeadmore from Connecticut

Jan 27, 2024
Photo of Dimagio
Reviewed by Dimagio

4.18/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This beer is a lot better than a 79. I've had porters that taste like flavored water. This one is a good tasting porter. Not the best, but definitely better than a 79.
Sep 26, 2023
Photo of Brook82
Reviewed by Brook82 from Ohio

3.04/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Ordered on tap, Dark brown/ black color, no head by the time it was brought to my table. Left some lacing. Vanilla dominated both aroma and taste. Full, rich flavor and came across a bit like a dessert beer. Okay overall, doubt I would order again.
May 13, 2023
Photo of Arttooo
Reviewed by Arttooo

4.01/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Solid beer. My only real complaint is the mouthfeel, it's just thin, nothing else about it. That's probably just a consequence of the 5% abv though, which makes it a little more approachable, so I'll cut it some slack for that.
Jan 28, 2023
 
Rated: 3.37 by Mikexw from New York

Dec 04, 2022
 
Rated: 3.54 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Sep 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.38 by cold_beer

May 07, 2022
 
Rated: 3.77 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois

Jan 29, 2022
 
Rated: 2.53 by dhannes from Wisconsin

Jan 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.6 by TP2MSU from Michigan

Dec 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by n2492004 from Michigan

Dec 05, 2021
Photo of Bierwizard
Rated by Bierwizard from Pennsylvania

3.41/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Tastes and smells a bit like a chocolate milkshake. I’ve had better.
Nov 18, 2021
 
Rated: 3.51 by Meddwol from Michigan

Oct 25, 2021
 
Rated: 3.28 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Oct 22, 2021
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

3.54/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass. It pours a very deep cola color with a thin, khaki-colored head that dissipated quickly. A subdued nose: mostly roasted malt, cocoa, and earthy nuts. The taste is primarily char, bakers chocolate, and burnt nuts. There is little of the cocoa that I smelled. The vanilla bean is noticeable in the after taste. In that sense it's rather one dimensional. The mouth feel is okay for a Porter but on the thin side. The carbonation is appropriate and at 5% ABV it's quite drinkable. Overall, there is nothing wrong with this Porter but nothing memorable either. I would recommend it as an accompaniment to a burger, cheese steak or other substantial meat dish rather than for casual drinking.
Sep 03, 2021
 
Rated: 3.83 by stucat from Illinois

Jul 15, 2021
 
Rated: 4.43 by Jerid from Florida

May 23, 2021
Photo of RobertB412
Reviewed by RobertB412 from Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. bottle into a pint glass with a very dark brown almost black color, tan head and decent lacing. Aroma is vanilla front and center, some coffee and caramel notes as well. Taste is more coffee than vanilla with notes of chocolate, roasted malt and nuts. Mouthfeel is smooth, thin bodied with decent carbonation and somewhat sweet finish. Overall, its a decent porter. I like vanilla, but its a bit too sweet and thin-bodied for me.
Mar 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.62 by Jonnybgood from Massachusetts

Feb 06, 2021
Vanilla Java Porter (VJP) from Atwater Brewery
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 1870 ratings