Donkey Venom
Bellwoods Brewery

Donkey VenomDonkey Venom
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From:
Bellwoods Brewery
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Imperial Porter
Ranked #134
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
89
Ranked #11,558
Avg:
3.99 | pDev: 9.27%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
74
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 07, 2023
Added:
Oct 19, 2013
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  7
Who knew the venom of a magical donkey would taste so good? Aged in barrels with Brettanomyces and other bugs for 6-12 months, what was once a strong porter has emerged anew. Donkey Venom presents a well-rounded range of flavours, balancing roasted malt and tart characteristics. Deceivingly drinkable for its high ABV, this tart porter is among our more unique offerings.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mick303:
Photo of mick303
Reviewed by mick303 from Canada (ON)

4.14/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from the brewery, probably about a year old, no date. Pour is a dark brown near black with a solid initial head and good retention of film.

S - of the start there is a nice kick of brett, horse blanket, hay/barnyardy, lemony notes with a slight acidity. With a dry roasty malt character, dark roast coffee, woody, with some sticky molasses notes, coffee and molasses in a barn loft would sum it up well.

T - similar profile with a bit bretty character, gentle acidic feel w sour lemon. Also coffee beans and a woody dark malt character, Roastiness is actually quite mild but the considerable spiciness, and maybe smokiness? cigar tobacco?, also sour cherries, play really nicely into the bretty barny character which melds with the deeper flavours. Gentle tartness but with a nice horsey/hayloft character. Balance is quite nice and satisfying.

M - very nice, big but the strength is hidden. Also while this substitutes a creamy porter for an acidic brett touch, I find it works well and adds a uniquely refreshing aspect to this beer. Moderate carbonation. Pleasant, with a robust profile.

Very enjoyable and balanced beer, all the flavours are there, don't overwhelm each other and play off very nicely, it does have a significant brett character and acidity so be warned if looking for a traditional porter. It does have a nice dark malt, coffee, licorice spice to it though with is complimented by the fruity and spice notes off the yeast. One to try and I would recommend it. Very unique, and very delicous
Feb 27, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of taxandbeerguy
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)

4.14/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Listed as a Barrel Aged Dark Sour Ale and 8.5%. Bottled Aug 3, 2022. Served cold into a pint glass. This isn't a porter so not rating it as such. More an American take on a Flanders Brown Ale.

Appearance - Dark brown with a slight reddish hue. A finger of tan head is poured with a limited retention time. Small soapy cap lingers on.

Smell - Wood and some grapey qualities. Has that earthiness that reminds me of some of the finer aged Belgians. That astringent balsamic and slight vinegar aroma.

Taste - Grape and must, oaky, woody with some earthy undertones. There's a minerally quality there too. Good flavor, with the earthiness and mineral quality was dialed back and that initial sour and grapey flavor were stronger throughout./ Booziness in check. The slightest touch of chocolate cake lingers in the background after a few sips.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, carbonation is light and easy to drink. No heat from the booze quotient.

Overall - Nose and interesting factor take this over the top. The flavor is good, just wish it was a bit more grape and barrel focused but this is still very very good. Just don't expect an imperial porter, Donkey Venom is certainly not that.
Apr 07, 2023
Photo of Reza1969
Reviewed by Reza1969

5/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pours deep red like red-wine, little brown foam. A bit more carbonated than usual stout. Taste oaky sweet and sour. It doesn’t go too far with either of these flavours. Once I tried Duchesse De Bourgogne which I didn’t like at all, DDB beer goes too far with all these flavours. But I really love the balanced sweet and sour and oaky flavours of Donkey Venum. Good job Bellwoods.
Dec 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Long813 from Canada (ON)

Sep 24, 2020
Photo of Hat_Fulla_Beer
Reviewed by Hat_Fulla_Beer from Canada (AB)

4.08/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500ml bottle poured into tulip. I didn't know what a haskap berry was, so I looked it up. It looks like a blueberry made love to an eggplant and produced these.

Pours a very dark cabernet red with one finger of blushing cappuccino head that leaves sheets of gothic architecture lace as it recedes.

Smells of black cherries, pomegranate juice, chocolate cake, coffee grounds, barn loft, oak staves and dried vanilla.

Tastes of red wine vinegar, sour cherry candy, some juicy berry fruitiness, faint coffee, shaved milk chocolate, barrel wood, more barnyard brett funkiness and soft vanilla.

Feels rich and pillowy. Full bodied with frothy carbonation. Finishes long and vinous.

Verdict: Highly recommended. You get a lot more sour than porter out of this one, though.
Mar 14, 2020
Photo of octortus
Reviewed by octortus from Canada (ON)

4.04/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
500 mL Bottle. ABV 8.5%.
Appearance: Opaque dark brown, One finger of thin creamy caramel coloured head, Dissipates quickly, Thick collar and complete cap remains.
Aroma: Tart dark fruit, Prune, Cherry, Brett funk, Roasted malts, Vinous, Reminded me of an olive press at first.
Mouthfeel: Above medium body, Slightly sticky, Dry finish
Flavour: Tart coffee (wow, didn't think that was possible), Cherries, Vinous, Roasted malts, Licorice.
Overall: This is very unique (!) and threw me for a bit of a loop on the aroma and taste. The porter base is definitely there but it hits with more of the Brett yeast.

Review: 29
May 16, 2019
Photo of BGDrock
Reviewed by BGDrock from Canada (ON)

3.23/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours very dark brown with a full, frothy head the colour of cappuccino foam; several minutes retention.
Aroma is on the lighter end, of tart fruit (sour cherry), with a hint of earthiness and roasted malts.
Taste is intensely sour upfront, with a compliment of roast coffee that makes for an odd combo - they conflict with each other rather than blending harmoniously; the sourness is that of a granny smith apple, puckering and mild flavour, not juicy fruit; feel is light carbonation, medium/light body, a touch watery.

After enjoying the haskap version, I can't say the same for this one. They are right to say this is one of their most unusual beers, and personally I find the experiment didn't work out. The flavours don't pair well, it's like a carbonated, really bitter espresso, or like 1/2 a sour beer and 1/2 a porter were just thrown in a vat together. Worth trying for the experience, but you'll enjoy the haskap more.
Jan 26, 2019
 
Rated: 4.06 by smithj4 from New York

Jan 01, 2019
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Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4.23/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured this into a tulip.
The appearance was a dark rugged brown close to black color with a small stifled white semi-foamy head sliding off fairly quick. Not much lace.
The aroma had some red wine, dark fruits, roasty coffee notes, light vinegar with sour and tart puckering red cherry notes. Woody barrel on the back end. Bretty character.
The flavor meshed in the sour to the tart to the sweet and dry barrel woodiness. Slight dark chocolate, somewhat bittersweet with dryness and then roasty coffee ending with some dark toast. Not much of an aftertaste but seemed like a nice red wine sweet to sour tone to it with dark chocolate and dark fruits.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a very nice sipping quality about it. It's a soothing sipper running through vinous sour edges without being puckering. Good carbonation and ABV. Red wine and red cherry with Bretty sour-like finish, some dark chocolate.
Overall, a very well Imperial porter with Brett. Absolutely wonderful for this time of the year.
Dec 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.03 by Bf_89 from Canada (ON)

Nov 18, 2018
 
Rated: 4.06 by groleau from Canada (QC)

Oct 21, 2018
Photo of Ciocanelu
Reviewed by Ciocanelu from Romania

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Really dark brown color with mocha head. Aroma has tart dark fruits, some balsamic vinegar and wood barrel notes. Taste is sour with dark fruit notes and roasted malts on top. Really well balanced and easy drinking.
Oct 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by Simon212 from Canada (ON)

Nov 16, 2017
Photo of GreesyFizeek
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.41/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This one pours a fairly dark black, with a small head, and not much lacing.

This smells super interesting- there's lots of tart cherry on top of the porter base- almost like a chocolate-covered cherry, with roast, slight coffee, and red wine.

This is really complex, and honestly confusing, but it's really good. There's a lot of cherry, red wine, and oak, and just a hint of funk, and it's on top of a really creamy and excellent porter- classic dark roast, some coffee, and lots of chocolate. It gives off the impression of really weird chocolate-covered cherries.

This is medium bodied and creamy, but a definite slow sipper due to the intense flavors here.

Bellwoods makes pretty amazing beers. This is really unique and really tasty.
Sep 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by cjgator3 from Florida

Feb 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.67 by jaydoc from Kansas

Dec 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.38 by ikidunot from Canada (ON)

Dec 18, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Dec 12, 2016
Photo of JonCorbett
Reviewed by JonCorbett from Canada (BC)

4.04/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: Red hued very dark brown with a creamy looking sepia head that rises like expedited fresh dough and has a moderate retention, gradually dropping into a wafer of tight light bubbles that coat the surface, and not much for lace other than the cute foam ring, but nothing is really left behind to mar the glass.

Aromatics: A combination of a mild red wine and yeasty bread dough. The date and fig fruits take second stage along with some soft chocolate kisses and caramel.

Taste: hmmm... not like any porter I have had before. A zingy tartness almost like sour cherries and wine grapes have been rolled around with charred oak and cedar chips. The chocolatey notes making a touch down on the palate here and there with a bit of roasted walnut flesh.

Mouth: The carbonation is present, but stays behind the scenes for the most part an lets the slick thinner-medium body to pass through without too much interruption. What I absolutely love in this beer is it's finish - or lack there-of. It just wanders off at some-point and you don't realize it is gone except for the fact that there is nothing stimulating the palate.

Overall: A super easy-to-drink porter. And I doubt I would have know it was 9.5% if I didn't look at the label. I like the clean and dry finish, it seems to end at the right interval to allow for another sip. Kinda like a really good measuring stick.

Pairing: I'm on the fence for this one. I'm thinking this is a good beer for when company is over. It's sophisticated enough to hold its own with the wine drinkers, and so it will undoubtedly match well with the meat and cheese tray, gourmet crackers, artisan bread chunks, and smooth creamy spreads (like spinach/artichoke, country style mushroom pâté, or a spiced up hummus).
Oct 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.83 by Jerk_Store from Canada (QC)

Oct 18, 2016
Donkey Venom from Bellwoods Brewery
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 74 ratings