Saranac Chocolate Orange
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac Chocolate OrangeSaranac Chocolate Orange
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From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Baltic Porter
ABV:
9%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.83 | pDev: 11.23%
Reviews:
42
Ratings:
149
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 01, 2017
Added:
Mar 02, 2012
Wants:
  15
Gots:
  17
Saranac Chocolate Orange is a limited edition small batch brew from our "High Peaks" series, a line of beers that are bigger, more complex and flavorful. Brewed as a full bodied robust Baltic-style porter with five different hops and four different malts, this beer pushes the porter style to a new level.

We start with generous amounts of chocolate malt, and then add blood orange peel. In fermentation, the finest hand-selected, purest cacao nibs are added to enhance the chocolate malt flavor. Look for a dark chocolate roasted flavor finished off with a unique surprise from blood orange peel, making this an extra special treat!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by TheTinDoor:
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Rated by TheTinDoor from Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

Jan 27, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.7 by rderedin from Maine

Jan 01, 2017
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Reviewed by deleted_user_1111368 from Delaware

2.61/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
The concept of this beer was the selling point. Chocolate and orange flavored beer sounded like a winner to my wife and I.

The aroma was not as advertised. With orange being the buzzword for me, I got none of it. I did get roasty/chocolate, but that was it. Halfway through my 1st beer, I was struggling to figure out what I tasted. I did get chocolate, but it wasn't meshing well with what I thought was supposed to be orange. Speaking of orange.. I couldn't find it all. I took a minute or two to let the beer warm up a bit.. hoping that would bring out more of the flavor(s). The delay didn't help, and I was informed by my better half, that I wasn't alone.

As for feel.. it was not bad, imperial-like smooth.

Overall, I think my beer tasting is par, or just over par (golf speaking).. but this left me scratching my head.
Apr 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.73 by Fitzy01 from Maine

Mar 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by FreshButterbeer from Iowa

Jan 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Jan 09, 2016
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Reviewed by fscottkey from New York

3.03/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: [3.50] Dark brown to black beer. Forms 1/2 finger of tan head. The head didn't form until late in the pur and it was gone right away (astonishingly fast). The bottle lists the ABV (9.0%). There is a date code which says this was made (09/21/15).

S: [3.00] Not sure I get orange. I am smelling caramel, dried cherries and hints of roasted malts.

T: [3.00] Similar to the nose but roasted malts up front. Then some cocoa and dried cherry flavor.

M: [3.00] Decent heft to the beer. Low carbonation gives added slickness to the body. The beer has a surprisingly bitter finish for a porter. It may be cocoa bitterness more than hop bitterness.

O: [3.00] Conceptually I like this idea but I am getting no orange flavor anywhere. The cocoa is coming through but it is muddied by the fruit (I am getting cherry) flavors. The bitter finish is kind of surprising for the style. I'd pass on this in the future.
Jan 06, 2016
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Reviewed by scottbrew4u from Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Robust malt profile with a hearty chocolate nose and taste. Some smokey flavors and a touch of esters of dark fruit like plums and raisins. Full body with moderate carbonation. Nice beer overall from Saranac.
Jan 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.18 by gustavmahler-09 from Maryland

Jan 01, 2016
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Reviewed by Marraybay from District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Wow: So much potential here. Really great lacing and head; great thickness. Excellent mouthfeel: smooth, creamy, great upfront sweetness. The only downside in this one for me is the alcohol. Just a bit too forward/pronounced in both the nose and the finish. If this could be toned down a tad (7%, 6%, etc.) this would really be fantastic. Still enjoyed and would like to have a few more while available, but again, just a bit too boozy to really be a home run: (more like a ground rule double!) The idea of cellaring--which some have mentioned, would be an interesting one to try. Note - like others, didn't get the orange; Non-existent for me. Didn't really affect my opinion--still like--but I can understand why others might be disappointed given the hype.
Jun 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by Marc427 from New York

Jun 22, 2015
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Reviewed by Jeffreysan from Virginia

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle, poured into a goblet

Appearance: Pours a beautiful, completely opaque, pitch-black color with a half of a finger of caramel-colored head that dissolved away into a lacing of foam that completely covered the top of the beer.

Aroma: Wow! Very aromatic with tons of sweet chocolate up front, like a candy bar, followed by bready, roasted malt, which imparts notes of freshly toasted bread, topped with Nutella®, as well as aromas of brown sugar and hints of dark stone fruit and burnt orange. Rich, earthy, sweet, complex, delicious and inviting!

Taste: Wow! Very, very good! Delicious, actually! Tons of roasted malt and dark chocolate up front, a big, malty chocolate bomb of a beer! There is also strong flavors of caramel, an hint of cinnamon and orange peel. Quite delicious!

Mouthfeel: Chewy and very smooth and creamy as there is very little in the way of carbonation. With an ABV of 9.0%, there is just a hint of alcohol on the palate. I’m amazed, actually at how well masked the alcohol is. You can barely taste it!

Overall: I’m not really a fan of most of Saranac’s beer. They’re not bad, just very forgettable. That being said, this one is extremely good and solid! Delicious, in fact! I love the malty, chocolaty flavors kissed with orange peel. I’d certainly get this beer again!
Jun 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.1 by nmann08 from Virginia

May 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.48 by needMIbeer from Virginia

Apr 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by sachie23 from New York

Apr 06, 2015
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Rated by RhinoBrew from Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Disappointing, expected more. Not a great taste or balance.
Apr 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.43 by k47k from New York

Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.61 by aker1221 from District of Columbia

Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Burt from Rhode Island

Mar 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.53 by Bob_Rhoades from Maryland

Mar 28, 2015
Saranac Chocolate Orange from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 149 ratings