Adrift On The Baltic
River North Brewery

My bottle shows the alcohol at 10.5% so maybe it's gone up a bit. A good Baltic porter with a little roast in the flavor. Almost no carbonation. Even at 10.5% is was easy to drink. Glad I have another in the fridge!

Clear, deep medium brown pour, semi-opaque in the glass, garnet hued; excellent head, light khaki color, moderately dense and long-lasting. Fantastic nose comprised of roasted grains with an edge of char; toffee and a wispy hint of mocha. Superb taste; dense, dark sweetness offset with notes of roasted nuts and a thin maple syrup; a subdued boozy underpinning; vague hints of coco powder. Generally heavy-bodied mouthfeel; full and rounded sensation; a fine dollop of boozy heat and warmth; soft stickiness.

This little number just rises above the sum of its parts with regards to its overall appeal. The body exudes fine dark red hues and is dark enough yet with enough light transmission to pull you in to its depths. The nose radiates rich dark malt sweetness with roasted nuts components. The taste and mouthfeel work in tandem to combine the luscious depths of the malt base and lightly sticky and lip-smacking goodness of this beer. This beer is a treasure.

ABV: 9.9%; pouring temperature: 52.1 °F; bottling info: Vintage 2025
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)

2022 Vintage: 8.9% ABV

Poured from a 375ml bottle into a snifter at 49 degrees.

Look- Ruby brown, slightly translucent, light brown frothy head, above average head retention, average lacing.

Smell- Malt, nutty, chocolate, slight coffee, medium strength of scent.

Taste- Malt, nutty, toffee, chocolate, coffee, mildly sweet, weak strength of flavor.

Feel- Between thin and medium body, average carbonation, mildly sweet, highly bitter, mildly mouth warming, mildly creamy.

Overall- Ruby brown that allowed some light to shine through. Bouquet and flavor were both dominated by malt. The body was thinner than expected. This beer provided a below average drinking experience.