Smuttynose Baltic Porter | Smuttynose Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Smuttynose Brewing Company
New Hampshire, United States
smuttynose.com
Style: Baltic Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.24%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
35 IBU
2007 - 8.1%
2009 - 8.7
2010 - 9.02%
2013 - 9.8%
2015 - 9.0%
Added by GratefulBeerGuy on 01-22-2008
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 1,416 | Reviews: 577
3.69/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
From a 355ml bottle served slightly chilled at 17 degrees Celsius into a snifter. Best by date: 5.10.2018 – I've had the bottle for 10+ months.
Look: The beer pours an opaque dark brown with 2cm of dense, mocha head that quickly fades (1+ min) into a partial film on top of the beer. Poor lacing and poor overall head which can very likely be attributed to aging and the high ABV.
Smell: Strong and sweet. Roasted malts dominate the aroma with noticeable dark fruit, and a faint alcohol note. Coffee and black licorice are also present. An unfortunate wet cardboard note has developed.
Taste: Strong and bitter. Roasted malts with black licorice and a hint of smoke. Slightly herbal and a medicinal character. Definitely gone stale with some papery flavour and a metallic finish.
Feel: Full body with mild carbonation. Slick and smooth with a mildly too strong of an astringency (most likely from aging). Restrained and smooth alcohol warming.
Overall: A definitive sipper with a deep dark malt character, considerable bitterness, and pleasant warming from the alcohol. I've had this beer before and I know I love it. Unfortunately the aging did a number on it and the review reflects that. I'm looking forward to the next fresh sample and scoring the brew higher.
1,271 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
From a 355ml bottle served slightly chilled at 17 degrees Celsius into a snifter. Best by date: 5.10.2018 – I've had the bottle for 10+ months.
Look: The beer pours an opaque dark brown with 2cm of dense, mocha head that quickly fades (1+ min) into a partial film on top of the beer. Poor lacing and poor overall head which can very likely be attributed to aging and the high ABV.
Smell: Strong and sweet. Roasted malts dominate the aroma with noticeable dark fruit, and a faint alcohol note. Coffee and black licorice are also present. An unfortunate wet cardboard note has developed.
Taste: Strong and bitter. Roasted malts with black licorice and a hint of smoke. Slightly herbal and a medicinal character. Definitely gone stale with some papery flavour and a metallic finish.
Feel: Full body with mild carbonation. Slick and smooth with a mildly too strong of an astringency (most likely from aging). Restrained and smooth alcohol warming.
Overall: A definitive sipper with a deep dark malt character, considerable bitterness, and pleasant warming from the alcohol. I've had this beer before and I know I love it. Unfortunately the aging did a number on it and the review reflects that. I'm looking forward to the next fresh sample and scoring the brew higher.
1,271 characters
4.19/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Not very experienced in porters, however this is my favorite by far... Very well balanced, jet black in appearance. I get chocolate, coffee, raisins, and even toffee in the taste. Extremely smooth and easy drinking. I will definitely keep picking this up when I see it. Extremely reasonable too...
300 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Not very experienced in porters, however this is my favorite by far... Very well balanced, jet black in appearance. I get chocolate, coffee, raisins, and even toffee in the taste. Extremely smooth and easy drinking. I will definitely keep picking this up when I see it. Extremely reasonable too...
300 characters
4.18/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.98/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle - decants jet black, defies light getting through the glass - smallish tan cap forms surface lace. Aroma of dried fig-dates, roasted grain char and whispers of sweet burnt treacle. Medium- heavy bodied, slick mouthfeel. Flavor has firm Baltic Porter characteristics - roasty, plenty of roast grain body, dried dark fruit tones, some smoke, licorice notes, burnt treacle...long wet finish dries up a bit with some bittering and roast astringency - a very decent American dry Baltic - nice for sipping or pairing up with some shell fish.
542 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle - decants jet black, defies light getting through the glass - smallish tan cap forms surface lace. Aroma of dried fig-dates, roasted grain char and whispers of sweet burnt treacle. Medium- heavy bodied, slick mouthfeel. Flavor has firm Baltic Porter characteristics - roasty, plenty of roast grain body, dried dark fruit tones, some smoke, licorice notes, burnt treacle...long wet finish dries up a bit with some bittering and roast astringency - a very decent American dry Baltic - nice for sipping or pairing up with some shell fish.
542 characters
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into an English pint glass. The appearance was a pure dark jet black pour. A slight one and a half finger white to off white foamy head dissipated within less than a minute. Lacing just quickly slides into the beer. The smell starts off with sweet rich dark chocolate with a nice leading edge of some dark fruits coming in lightly to keep it sweet. Light bitter and roasty coffee beans show some nice balance to boot in the aroma. The taste follows through in the previously noted aromas. The lager yeast helps a tad little bit of breadiness to make a smooth transition to the aftertaste and give off a sly little bit of semi-sweet sticky little bit of a finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium in body with a good sessionability about it. Carbonation runs really light causing a big stickiness to develop and surround my tongue. Overall, I say this was a really nice Baltic Porter, maybe I just could have had it at the right time too. It really aged nicely!
986 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into an English pint glass. The appearance was a pure dark jet black pour. A slight one and a half finger white to off white foamy head dissipated within less than a minute. Lacing just quickly slides into the beer. The smell starts off with sweet rich dark chocolate with a nice leading edge of some dark fruits coming in lightly to keep it sweet. Light bitter and roasty coffee beans show some nice balance to boot in the aroma. The taste follows through in the previously noted aromas. The lager yeast helps a tad little bit of breadiness to make a smooth transition to the aftertaste and give off a sly little bit of semi-sweet sticky little bit of a finish. On the palate, this one sat about a medium in body with a good sessionability about it. Carbonation runs really light causing a big stickiness to develop and surround my tongue. Overall, I say this was a really nice Baltic Porter, maybe I just could have had it at the right time too. It really aged nicely!
986 characters
4.83/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours a very rich looking brown, with a half finger of tan head that leaves a decent lacing. The aroma is rich roasted malt, molasses/brown sugar, slight alcohol, baker's chocolate, black licorice, and mild java. Flavor is really nice and rich. Big chocolate and molasses, mild coffee, toffee, and I want to say black licorice again. That's what comes to mind. No alcohol hit in the flavor. The feel is luxurious. Thick and full bodied, medium full carbonation, sticky, but drying on the finish. Really suits me, on every level for an imperial porter. Excellent!
562 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Pours a very rich looking brown, with a half finger of tan head that leaves a decent lacing. The aroma is rich roasted malt, molasses/brown sugar, slight alcohol, baker's chocolate, black licorice, and mild java. Flavor is really nice and rich. Big chocolate and molasses, mild coffee, toffee, and I want to say black licorice again. That's what comes to mind. No alcohol hit in the flavor. The feel is luxurious. Thick and full bodied, medium full carbonation, sticky, but drying on the finish. Really suits me, on every level for an imperial porter. Excellent!
562 characters
4.17/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle, best before 6/19/2017.
Pours very dark brown (almost black) and opaque with a very small tan head that shows poor retention. Fantastic aroma filled with raisin, caramel, chocolate and roasted malt. The raisin/fruitiness aspect of this beer is strong and really comes out in the flavor. There is a bit of a vinous quality to it as well. It has a lot in common with an Imperial Stout, but it's so smooth and there's no sign of hops. Medium-full bodied and beyond easy to drink for the 9% ABV. Another winner from Smuttynose. The only thing I would change is to increase the carbonation, but it's a damn good beer regardless.
637 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle, best before 6/19/2017.
Pours very dark brown (almost black) and opaque with a very small tan head that shows poor retention. Fantastic aroma filled with raisin, caramel, chocolate and roasted malt. The raisin/fruitiness aspect of this beer is strong and really comes out in the flavor. There is a bit of a vinous quality to it as well. It has a lot in common with an Imperial Stout, but it's so smooth and there's no sign of hops. Medium-full bodied and beyond easy to drink for the 9% ABV. Another winner from Smuttynose. The only thing I would change is to increase the carbonation, but it's a damn good beer regardless.
637 characters
4.34/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Dark black with a small tan head. Tastes and smells of bitter dark chocolate and coffee with some sweetness. Hop bitterness is somewhat present as well. The mouthfeel is amazing, right where it should be. This is probably the best porter that I have yet to try.
261 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Dark black with a small tan head. Tastes and smells of bitter dark chocolate and coffee with some sweetness. Hop bitterness is somewhat present as well. The mouthfeel is amazing, right where it should be. This is probably the best porter that I have yet to try.
261 characters
4.28/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.85/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.36/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
This thick, chewy, toasty and bitter char ending beer is magnificent. The aromas of coffee, bitter dark chocolate and roasted malt are transformed into flavors on your tongue when the beer is tasted. This is really a fine porter.
229 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
This thick, chewy, toasty and bitter char ending beer is magnificent. The aromas of coffee, bitter dark chocolate and roasted malt are transformed into flavors on your tongue when the beer is tasted. This is really a fine porter.
229 characters
4.28/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Smooth smooth smooth beer. The most impressive aspect of this beer is the mouthfeel, especially for a beer of this size, but all the component parts are very impressive as well. Black pour with a brown, frothy, tightly packed cap. Aroma of smoke, char, burnt wood, roasted malt, dark fruit. Dates, raisins, prunes hits the palate first followed by a rich, thick, velvety malt that brings those flavors of chocolate, smoke and char back to the fore. Delicious beer. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel that lingers for a bit on the palate. Nice balanced sweetness/smokiness/bitterness ends the sip. Great beer.
601 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Smooth smooth smooth beer. The most impressive aspect of this beer is the mouthfeel, especially for a beer of this size, but all the component parts are very impressive as well. Black pour with a brown, frothy, tightly packed cap. Aroma of smoke, char, burnt wood, roasted malt, dark fruit. Dates, raisins, prunes hits the palate first followed by a rich, thick, velvety malt that brings those flavors of chocolate, smoke and char back to the fore. Delicious beer. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel that lingers for a bit on the palate. Nice balanced sweetness/smokiness/bitterness ends the sip. Great beer.
601 characters
4.21/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Solid brew! Everything you'd expect and want in a porter. Sweet, good bite, boozy, thick, with complex flavors. Will come back.
127 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Solid brew! Everything you'd expect and want in a porter. Sweet, good bite, boozy, thick, with complex flavors. Will come back.
127 characters
4.57/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours thick and opaque black with a smallish tan head. The aroma is of christmas pudding, plum, tobacco and roasty malt notes. Rich chocolate and espresso roast coffee notes show in the taste. Very rich yet drier than most Baltic Porters. Thick, viscous mouthfeel with light carbonation. Off dry in the finish with lingering fruity berry notes and light hop bitterness. Booze is well concealed throughout.
This is a fantastic, complex and ridiculously drinkable Baltic Porter. A classic of the style that may even appeal to people who generally don’t like porters and stouts.
587 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours thick and opaque black with a smallish tan head. The aroma is of christmas pudding, plum, tobacco and roasty malt notes. Rich chocolate and espresso roast coffee notes show in the taste. Very rich yet drier than most Baltic Porters. Thick, viscous mouthfeel with light carbonation. Off dry in the finish with lingering fruity berry notes and light hop bitterness. Booze is well concealed throughout.
This is a fantastic, complex and ridiculously drinkable Baltic Porter. A classic of the style that may even appeal to people who generally don’t like porters and stouts.
587 characters
4.71/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional beer. I'll definitely be buying this one again!
Look - almost pitch black with almost no head. Pretty much Looks like coffee in a glass.
Aroma - lots of coffee and hints of dark chocolate
Taste - amazing. A lot of maltiness upfront. I'm getting coffee, chocolate and caramel. Doesn't have too much of that burnt taste that I'm not very fond of.
Feel - suuuuuper smooth. Has just enough feel to it without being too syrupy. I love the feel on this one.
Overall - amazing beer for sure and I'll be buying this one whenever I feel like drinking a porter that I know is good. Would be nice if it had a little more carbonation but asking for perfection isn't always reasonless. If it's available for you, get it!
725 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional beer. I'll definitely be buying this one again!
Look - almost pitch black with almost no head. Pretty much Looks like coffee in a glass.
Aroma - lots of coffee and hints of dark chocolate
Taste - amazing. A lot of maltiness upfront. I'm getting coffee, chocolate and caramel. Doesn't have too much of that burnt taste that I'm not very fond of.
Feel - suuuuuper smooth. Has just enough feel to it without being too syrupy. I love the feel on this one.
Overall - amazing beer for sure and I'll be buying this one whenever I feel like drinking a porter that I know is good. Would be nice if it had a little more carbonation but asking for perfection isn't always reasonless. If it's available for you, get it!
725 characters
4.47/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
355 ml bottle served at cellar temperature into a pint glass. Purchased a 4 pack from the LCBO for about $13 CDN. so $3.25 CDN per bottle. Best before October 2018. This rendition advertised at 9.0% ABV.
Appearance - Very dark brown beer, appears black in the glass. Capped by a half finger of surprisingly long lasting deep tan head (with near red hues). Some lacing and obviously no sightlines.
Smell - Dark, with chocolate, hints of coffee, molasses, dark fruit, licorice among others. Plenty malty with a diverse aray of aromas. Inviting, robust and downright impressive. Not many beers can lure you in to enjoying like this Baltic porter can.
Taste - Again dark and malt forward. Dark chocolate and coffee are the first friends, but molasses and black licorice show up in spades too. Hints of vanilla and plenty of hop bitterness to keep it balanced.
Mouthfeel - Smooth and silky yet full and robust. Carbonation is just right. A masterpiece.
Overall - A pretty sensation baltic porter that is easy drinking, filling yet smooth and super tasty hitting all the right flavors for this advocate. Certainly worth a try and so happy I was able to grab the last 4 pack on the shelf. Smuttynose to this point has been very good but hasn't blown me away in my limited samplings, however the baltic porter is phenomenal and I finally see what others do in this renowned New England beermaker.
1,396 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
355 ml bottle served at cellar temperature into a pint glass. Purchased a 4 pack from the LCBO for about $13 CDN. so $3.25 CDN per bottle. Best before October 2018. This rendition advertised at 9.0% ABV.
Appearance - Very dark brown beer, appears black in the glass. Capped by a half finger of surprisingly long lasting deep tan head (with near red hues). Some lacing and obviously no sightlines.
Smell - Dark, with chocolate, hints of coffee, molasses, dark fruit, licorice among others. Plenty malty with a diverse aray of aromas. Inviting, robust and downright impressive. Not many beers can lure you in to enjoying like this Baltic porter can.
Taste - Again dark and malt forward. Dark chocolate and coffee are the first friends, but molasses and black licorice show up in spades too. Hints of vanilla and plenty of hop bitterness to keep it balanced.
Mouthfeel - Smooth and silky yet full and robust. Carbonation is just right. A masterpiece.
Overall - A pretty sensation baltic porter that is easy drinking, filling yet smooth and super tasty hitting all the right flavors for this advocate. Certainly worth a try and so happy I was able to grab the last 4 pack on the shelf. Smuttynose to this point has been very good but hasn't blown me away in my limited samplings, however the baltic porter is phenomenal and I finally see what others do in this renowned New England beermaker.
1,396 characters
3.85/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
12 oz bottle from a 4-pack purchased at the LCBO, listed at 9.0%. Best by Oct 5 2018 and served slightly chilled.
Pours a jet black hue that seems utterly impenetrable to the light, while situated atop is one finger of foamy, deep tan-coloured head. It recedes steadily, dissipating entirely within 4-5 minutes or so; in its wake, a modest-sized collar remains, but with scant lacing. Lovely aroma - I'm getting plenty of dark chocolate, cocoa and coffee, accompanied by minor notes of molasses, licorice, raisins and prunes. Some alcohol fumes, particularly as the glass warms, with suggestions of vanilla and charred wood.
Downright delicious... there's just no other way to describe this exquisite porter's rich flavour profile. Dark malts are (unsurprisingly) the stars of the show, providing flavours of baker's chocolate, coffee grounds and cocoa that integrate beautifully with fruity hints of raisins and dates and a mild molasses sweetness. It becomes much more roasty and bitter on the back end, with charry-burnt notes alongside some earthy, herbal hops and a touch of anise/licorice. Hint of alcohol at the finish, which nicely complements the hops and burnt/roasted malt character (which itself fades slowly, reverberating through a persistent aftertaste). This full-bodied porter features mild carbonation that gently scrubs the palate, with the overall mouthfeel being quite smooth, soft and luxurious. The high alcohol content is masterfully tempered - making this a dangerously drinkable beer if there ever was one. I could have easily plowed through the 4-pack in a night, but this is the sort of beer that begs to be savoured slowly.
Final Grade: 4.56, an outstanding A+. This fantastic Baltic Porter is yet another feather that Smuttynose can proudly stick into their already plumage-laden cap. Bold-flavoured, yet quite well-balanced, and absurdly easy to drink. A true world-class brew that I am grateful to have had the chance to try - I'm hoping this becomes a regularly-stocked beer in Ontario, as I'd definitely like to pick up some more of this in the future. A must-try, gold-standard example of the style that is worth going out of your way for.
2,177 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
12 oz bottle from a 4-pack purchased at the LCBO, listed at 9.0%. Best by Oct 5 2018 and served slightly chilled.
Pours a jet black hue that seems utterly impenetrable to the light, while situated atop is one finger of foamy, deep tan-coloured head. It recedes steadily, dissipating entirely within 4-5 minutes or so; in its wake, a modest-sized collar remains, but with scant lacing. Lovely aroma - I'm getting plenty of dark chocolate, cocoa and coffee, accompanied by minor notes of molasses, licorice, raisins and prunes. Some alcohol fumes, particularly as the glass warms, with suggestions of vanilla and charred wood.
Downright delicious... there's just no other way to describe this exquisite porter's rich flavour profile. Dark malts are (unsurprisingly) the stars of the show, providing flavours of baker's chocolate, coffee grounds and cocoa that integrate beautifully with fruity hints of raisins and dates and a mild molasses sweetness. It becomes much more roasty and bitter on the back end, with charry-burnt notes alongside some earthy, herbal hops and a touch of anise/licorice. Hint of alcohol at the finish, which nicely complements the hops and burnt/roasted malt character (which itself fades slowly, reverberating through a persistent aftertaste). This full-bodied porter features mild carbonation that gently scrubs the palate, with the overall mouthfeel being quite smooth, soft and luxurious. The high alcohol content is masterfully tempered - making this a dangerously drinkable beer if there ever was one. I could have easily plowed through the 4-pack in a night, but this is the sort of beer that begs to be savoured slowly.
Final Grade: 4.56, an outstanding A+. This fantastic Baltic Porter is yet another feather that Smuttynose can proudly stick into their already plumage-laden cap. Bold-flavoured, yet quite well-balanced, and absurdly easy to drink. A true world-class brew that I am grateful to have had the chance to try - I'm hoping this becomes a regularly-stocked beer in Ontario, as I'd definitely like to pick up some more of this in the future. A must-try, gold-standard example of the style that is worth going out of your way for.
2,177 characters
4.14/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Smuttynose Baltic Porter from Smuttynose Brewing Company
4.25
out of 5
based on 1,416 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5