Pill Hill Vanilla Porter
51st Ward Beer Company

Pill Hill Vanilla PorterPill Hill Vanilla Porter
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From:
51st Ward Beer Company
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
American Porter
ABV:
6.4%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 7.73%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
33
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 12, 2018
Added:
Oct 22, 2014
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  6
No description / notes.
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Ratings by joe1510:
Photo of joe1510
Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

3.87/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
22oz Bomber
$7.99
Maria's Package Store - Chicago

Pill Hill pours like the blackest of coffee. It fills the pint, obsidian, with chestnut highlights along the bottom and sides. The foam is dense mocha and though it slowly fades to a chunky cap it leaves fluffy sheet lacing on its way covering every square cm of glass. A damn fine looking porter if I do say so myself.

The nose is interesting and a bit different than I expected. A sturdy roastiness runs throughout and is the obvious backbone of this porter. A little caramalized sugar adds some depth, and sweetness, while dark berries add some fruitiness, which I always enjoy. The unique aspect is that of underripe banana that I have to say fits pretty well. This heaping helping of porter is finished off with a complimentary peppery alcohol finish.

The flavor profile tends to deviate from the nose thought the overall components are the same. The roast isn't as robust and comes along mid-palate in a more dark roast coffee & cream sort of way. The front end is peppery berries and a touch of that alcohol, again spicy, that reminds me a bit of smoke. The roast lingers through when it's met by the vanilla beans, though they taste a little artificial. I believe that's where I was getting the banana in the nose...

A moderate body feels a little lighter when combined with the lively bubbles. The roast shines on the mouthfeel adding some bitterness to the already dry finish. That I am a fan of. The dryness leaves me almost parched and needing another drink. At 6%+ I could drink this for a little while.

51st Ward makes some solid beers, as far as I know since this is only my second from them. Pill Hill is an all around good porter. It's roasty, dry, and highly drinkable. The vanilla gets a little artificial at times, but not much. My favorite aspect is the soft, peppery alcohol that brightens up the backend. I'd pick this guy up again.
Nov 07, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of BlackBeerPirate
Reviewed by BlackBeerPirate from Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Taste: rich, dry roasted notes, rye bread, some toffee, vanilla bean flavors. Toasted baker's chocolate, malt nose. Black/Brown hue, mostly opaque, tan thick cake of foam, ring lace. Medium full body.
Aug 12, 2018
 
Rated: 3 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Sep 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.95 by thumperskibum from Indiana

Apr 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by jscheuf from Illinois

Feb 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by lanciloti from Illinois

Nov 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by tim007007 from Illinois

Oct 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Chris-1911 from Illinois

Oct 17, 2015
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The Pill Hill porter is decent. The beer poured a opaque dark with tan head that did not leave a lace. The scent is roasty. The taste was mostly coffee with hints of vanilla. The beer finishes dry. The Mouthfeel was lighter in body with smooth carbonation. Overall it's a good beer but not nearly the best porter that I've had.
Oct 14, 2015
Photo of KevChiTown
Reviewed by KevChiTown

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
All I'm getting is the rye. It sorta reminds me of Black Rye from Founders but softer. I don't pick up the vanilla beans. Still a pretty nice beer from a new local brewer
May 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by tmryan21 from Illinois

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by StoutItOutLoud from Illinois

Apr 08, 2015
Photo of KeithE
Rated by KeithE from Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is definitely worth trying. I wasn't familiar with 51st Ward Beer Company and thought this beer was quite good.
Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.48 by ackeeper from Illinois

Mar 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.05 by spointon from Illinois

Feb 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Feb 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.74 by Poloplaya from Illinois

Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by BeerOps from Illinois

Feb 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by thecrowing from Illinois

Jan 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.17 by rodlavers from Maryland

Dec 27, 2014
Pill Hill Vanilla Porter from 51st Ward Beer Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 33 ratings