Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Snowdrift Vanilla PorterSnowdrift Vanilla Porter
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From:
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
American Porter
Ranked #420
ABV:
6%
Score:
78
Ranked #26,881
Avg:
3.43 | pDev: 17.2%
Reviews:
321
Ratings:
1,983
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 05, 2024
Added:
Nov 03, 2012
Wants:
  63
Gots:
  624
Drift into winter with Snowdrift Vanilla Porter, back by popular demand as our Winter standalone. A fuller-bodied brew with hints of cocoa, coffee and caramel brought out by roasted malts and aged on real vanilla, our Leinenkugel’s Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is smooth and creamy, making it perfect for warming up winter.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Jade:
Photo of Jade
Reviewed by Jade from Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured this porter into an imperial pint glass.

A - Good maple brown color, ruby red in the light. Half a finger of cream color head albeit an easy pour.

S - Some burnt malts and vanilla. Not much going on here.

T - Similar to the smell. Okay, but nothing special. I admit I am a Stout fan.

M - A bit watery and overly carbonated for my palate...even for a porter.

O - Like a brown ale with slight burnt malts and vanilla. Not a drain pour for sure, but nothing special here. If new to dark ales, worth a try, but if a connoisseur of great dark ales, even the style of porter, I would pass for a more expensive and tastier beer.
Dec 12, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of ManicMadgod
Reviewed by ManicMadgod from Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
My love for this beer comes from the nostalgia. The first time I had the Snowdrift Vanilla Porter was in the winter of 2018. I took it to the shower and there, the flavors opened up unlike any beer I've ever tried before. The vanilla and coffee notes danced about my palate in perfect harmony.

That euphoric feeling has since faded, and the beer doesn't taste as good as it used to, but I like to hunt for it nonetheless.
Mar 05, 2024
Photo of c1377
Reviewed by c1377 from Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This is the best brew Leinenkugel makes (next to their Octoberfest)...
It is an everyday quaffable beer that will pair well with really anything.
It is not the best, but it works for any situation.
It is not offensive - and is more palatable than many of the specialty beers.
Sometimes simple is best, eh?
I was sad to see that it was not available in my area this year.
Apr 29, 2023
Photo of Papercut4
Reviewed by Papercut4 from Wisconsin

3.12/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours out of the can a dark brown with about 2 fingers of head with moderate lacing. Smells like chocolate nibs and toasted malts but I'm not smelling the vanilla. More carbonation than I was expecting but the flavors are all there, maybe an addition to a coffee note. Not a terribly thrilling beer, that might be a reason they went away from this one being the go-to seasonal in winter.
Jan 13, 2023
 
Rated: 3.57 by BlueTomorrow from Michigan

Dec 10, 2022
Photo of RuffReader
Reviewed by RuffReader from Ohio

2.83/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
A very light, inoffensive porter that is missing anything memorable. Thick and persistent head, smells like a lager, moderate carbonation, tastes bland. My cat liked it though.
Dec 08, 2022
 
Rated: 3.58 by SeymourDunn from Wisconsin

Sep 03, 2022
Photo of rudiecantfail
Reviewed by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania

3.92/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle poured into a tulip glass. Bottled 2/14/22, not ideal but reasonable for a porter.

L---Dark brown color with bright ruby edges. Fluffy khaki head faded quickly down to a ring and left ok lacing.

S---Cocoa, vanilla and caramel as advertised. Very light coffee, if I wasn't specifically looking for it I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

T---Follows the nose. Caramel, cocoa and vanilla. Lingering finish, nice.

F---Not really creamy as advertised. Medium plus body with light carbonation.

O---A nice one. Wifey really liked it.
Jun 22, 2022
 
Photo of Luscious_Malfoy
Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
poured from a 12oz bottle into a tall New Glarus pilsner glass. pours light brown but gathers in the glass a little darker with two fingers of wet sand colored foam. roasted malts, light vanilla and chocolate on the nose. taste toes the line between dessert beer and drinkable session beer. it’s lightly frosted chocolate cake with roasted coffee but it’s all very subdued. a light, almost watery mouthfeel makes it that much more drinkable but doesn’t necessarily add to the overall enjoyment of the beer. it’s a pretty good, fairly drinkable porter can knock a couple back in a single session and not get overwhelmed or too full.
Dec 28, 2021
Photo of chum_husk
Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota

2.35/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
12oz'er dated

Black ruby, tall bubbly head that fades quick. Smells like toasted grain, choco, and everclear. The taste leans into the chocolate and toast, with an overload of sweetness

It's not bad, but I kinda hated it, if that makes sense
Dec 02, 2021
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

2.89/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Dark brown color and light passes through the center of the glass easily. Tiny and brief head that completely subsides in seconds. No lace.

Strong caramel aroma. Sugary.

Darker malt to begin, but the molasses like sweetness finishes the beer. A bit too cloy. The beer's body is surprisingly thin with a lower than expected carbonation.
Nov 27, 2021
 
Rated: 3.54 by Danzifer from Ohio

Nov 01, 2021
 
Rated: 3.22 by jfilip56

Sep 19, 2021
 
Rated: 2.76 by Bigmoist from West Virginia

Sep 12, 2021
 
Rated: 3.25 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Jul 18, 2021
Photo of TheTRUTHSTL
Reviewed by TheTRUTHSTL

4.23/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
This is a seasonal beer and hard to find West of the Mississippi but it’s worth getting your hands on some. It’s my favorite Porter I’ve had thus far. I typically don’t like anything that Leinenkugel comes out with, but this is great. It smells like vanilla, chocolate. It is smooth and not thick. It has a creamy vanilla taste. On a side note, it makes my stomach cramp unlike any other beer. Not sure why.
May 15, 2021
Photo of Captain69
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois

4/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
creamy dark sweet smelling beer . great vanilla malt flavors - they have always been a favorite brewer
Mar 28, 2021
 
Rated: 3.42 by TP2MSU from Michigan

Feb 19, 2021
 
Rated: 3.25 by AndrewFord666 from Illinois

Feb 05, 2021
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 1983 ratings