Evan John Porter
Pinelands Brewing Company

 

Cola brown pour with a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't tan-colored head (it becomes mere bubbles quickly). The nose is decidedly coffee and cream. The taste follows--noticeable coffee with vanilla in support. Overall, the beer was kind of flimsy, not at all a robust porter. Thinner bodied with a very mild flavor profile. The upfront flavor of the first sip or two recedes to limp and unsatisfying.

A: Plum black coloring in the vessel, is topped off with a peanut shell toned fizzy mid-size covering that quickly dissipates to a flim coating. Tiny micro effervesce bubbles along the walls is faint. Overall a fairly standard visual.

S: Light vanilla bean coffee and creamer. Fresh juicy plums and figs add some sweetness along with some black cherries. Light awareness, smooth, but needed more effort.

T: Flavor had a fresh burst of juicy plums and black cherries right from the start. Sweet raisiny figs and sweet chocolate highlights. Dark and fruity with some minerality. A touch of dry coffee and creamer finishes off the tongue. The vanilla accents are very light and background.

M: Bubbly and tingly mouthful is erupting and active on the tongue. Medium weight is creamy smooth and milky light texture. Carbonation is quick to decease, while there is a light wine like acidity as well.

O: Overall a moderate pub porter, creamy smooth with light vanilla bean accents. Decent, but holds little surprises and peaks. Bright and juicy dark fruitiness, the initial flavor being the highlight.

 

 

Pint pour on draught at the brewery. While it looks almost black, when held to the sunlight the color is really a deep, dark cola. It sports a half finger of creamy, ecru-colored head and thick lacing. The nose features roasted malt, freshly-brewed coffee, vanilla cream, and nutty char. The taste opens dry and nutty with espresso and vanilla cream that becomes more pronounced as the glass warms. Mid-sip is dominated by an earthy char and it finishes with bitterness and slight acidity. The flavors blend and balance each other well. This Porter is lite and crisp with moderate carbonation, and it's a very easy drinker at 5.3% ABV. Overall, Evan John combines lots of flavor with a modest mouth feel. It's ideal for casual drinking and would pair well with a burger or sanwich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a local brewery, not a bad attempt. Needs to warm to achieve maximum flavor profile. Worth a try if you can find while visiting the Atlantic City, NJ area. One-n-done, recommended for a good finish.