Vanilla Pulsar Porter
Galaxy Brewing Company

a nice beer from thee guys, a vanilla spike to their base porter, its a fine add. this beer has a moderately deep roast profile to the grain, some bitterness there, so the sweet tasting natural vanilla really works well with it and the beer stays nicely balanced despite it being so flavored. the vanilla tastes real to me, it smells a little sweet but it is more tame in the taste. some cocoa too, some from the malt but even a fudge or brownie batter element to this, but it doesnt finish particularly sweet. i get some amber ale type malts in here too, a caramelized middle that it really doesnt need, but this is a very complete beer, lots of layers and a cohesive whole. its just a touch light and thin for me in feel, it could take a little more body and a little more intensity on the roast, but i like it being a little more drinkable, and it is nice and smooth with a fairly relaxed carbonation. lately i have been nervous about vanilla beers as they seem to be trending sweeter and sweeter, but this one is appropriately reserved. nicely done overall. an imperial version of this would be great as well...