Dominion Baltic Porter | Old Dominion Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Old Dominion Brewing Company
Delaware, United States | website
Style: Baltic Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.80%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Dominion Baltic Porter is brewed to meet your need for warmth on a cold winter’s night. Hints of licorice, toffee & chocolate mingle with a touch of Rye giving our Porter a full-bodied taste. Raise your mug to those who were bold enough to brave the Baltic!
Added by VaTechHopHead on 11-15-2008
Reviews: 108 | Ratings: 226
2.87/5 rDev -23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A-black with a thin tan head
S-extremely faint scent of cinnamon and licorice. So faint. Almost nothing there.
T-comes in with an extremely faint taste of cinnamon, licorice, and maybe chocolate. It just a really faint flavor with a small kick of Belgian spices. Not much going on here. Not much of an after-taste.
M-dry low carbonation with a watery Finish
O-a very boring Baltic porter. The flavors are almost muted. Sometimes with this styles, the basic ingredients are supposed to speak for themselves. If not, sometimes the added ingredients help a lot. This just has nothing going for it at all. I don't recommend it at all.
★ 635 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A-black with a thin tan head
S-extremely faint scent of cinnamon and licorice. So faint. Almost nothing there.
T-comes in with an extremely faint taste of cinnamon, licorice, and maybe chocolate. It just a really faint flavor with a small kick of Belgian spices. Not much going on here. Not much of an after-taste.
M-dry low carbonation with a watery Finish
O-a very boring Baltic porter. The flavors are almost muted. Sometimes with this styles, the basic ingredients are supposed to speak for themselves. If not, sometimes the added ingredients help a lot. This just has nothing going for it at all. I don't recommend it at all.
★ 635 characters
3.92/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served from a 12-ounce, twist-off bottle into a plain, tumbler pint glass.
A: Near black color with a ruby highlight when shown through the light. A thin, tan head of carbonation builds as quickly as it vanishes, leaving a slightly creamy slick of foam.
S: Sweet and roasty with hints of cocoa, charcoal and some nutty, herbal hops.
T: Creamy and bittersweet malts rush over the front of the palate, coating it with a slick, coal-like flavor. The dark chocolate and mild berry notes wear into an herbal and almost anisette-like hop bitterness that adds some boozy heat to the otherwise silky finish.
M: Full-bodied and smooth porter with a little gripping hop and alcohol heat. Velvety finish is numbed slightly by a burnt, grainy malt offsetting.
O: A rich, sweet and relatively balanced porter with plenty of malt character to back up the near 7% ABV. A little grainy and slick, so its still rough around the edges, but it's as welcome of a brew on a cool spring night as a late fall one.
★ 996 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Served from a 12-ounce, twist-off bottle into a plain, tumbler pint glass.
A: Near black color with a ruby highlight when shown through the light. A thin, tan head of carbonation builds as quickly as it vanishes, leaving a slightly creamy slick of foam.
S: Sweet and roasty with hints of cocoa, charcoal and some nutty, herbal hops.
T: Creamy and bittersweet malts rush over the front of the palate, coating it with a slick, coal-like flavor. The dark chocolate and mild berry notes wear into an herbal and almost anisette-like hop bitterness that adds some boozy heat to the otherwise silky finish.
M: Full-bodied and smooth porter with a little gripping hop and alcohol heat. Velvety finish is numbed slightly by a burnt, grainy malt offsetting.
O: A rich, sweet and relatively balanced porter with plenty of malt character to back up the near 7% ABV. A little grainy and slick, so its still rough around the edges, but it's as welcome of a brew on a cool spring night as a late fall one.
★ 996 characters
3.83/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Deep ruby, nearly black, that has a white head with good retention and lacing.
S/T - A little grainy on the nose, with smoke, chocolate, roast, and a touch of pine hops in the finish.
M - Medium body and carbonation, a touch astringent, but remains mostly smooth and slightly oily across the palate.
O - Nice porter. Depths of malt flavor are tasty and keep me wanting more.
★ 381 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Deep ruby, nearly black, that has a white head with good retention and lacing.
S/T - A little grainy on the nose, with smoke, chocolate, roast, and a touch of pine hops in the finish.
M - Medium body and carbonation, a touch astringent, but remains mostly smooth and slightly oily across the palate.
O - Nice porter. Depths of malt flavor are tasty and keep me wanting more.
★ 381 characters
3.67/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very dark brown, nearing black. Poured with no head.
Roasty, clean nose with some licorice and darker fruits. Hint of berries.
Roasty and fairly dry. Black licorice, star anise. Dark fruits and berries. A bit of cocoa on the finish. Drying at the finish.
Medium body, lower carbonation. Slight warmth in the chest. Interesting beer, not bad.
★ 347 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Very dark brown, nearing black. Poured with no head.
Roasty, clean nose with some licorice and darker fruits. Hint of berries.
Roasty and fairly dry. Black licorice, star anise. Dark fruits and berries. A bit of cocoa on the finish. Drying at the finish.
Medium body, lower carbonation. Slight warmth in the chest. Interesting beer, not bad.
★ 347 characters
3.06/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Dark brew with creamy colored head that is quite persistent. On the other hand, not much going on in the smell, just a little hint of roasty malts. My first impression of the taste was of sweet malt, followed by charred wood and a balancing amount of bitter, so that initial sweetness doesn't linger. A rather light mouthfeel for what should be a big beer.
Overall, this beer doesn't impress me. I was expecting something more. I would not go out of my way for this rather average beer.
★ 487 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Dark brew with creamy colored head that is quite persistent. On the other hand, not much going on in the smell, just a little hint of roasty malts. My first impression of the taste was of sweet malt, followed by charred wood and a balancing amount of bitter, so that initial sweetness doesn't linger. A rather light mouthfeel for what should be a big beer.
Overall, this beer doesn't impress me. I was expecting something more. I would not go out of my way for this rather average beer.
★ 487 characters
4.02/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A- Dark brown almost black with faint ruby highlights. 2 finger tan head stays for quite a bit.
S- Roasted malt and hops. There's some chocolate and licorice in there. Maybe a hint of caramel as well.
T- Roasted hops with some flavors that resemble a coca-cola caramel flavor. A unique blend of coffee and soda. Interesting.
M- Well balanced and smooth. Easy to drink.
O- This is a good beer. It has a solid flavor and feel while not being too simple. Good all around beer.
★ 479 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A- Dark brown almost black with faint ruby highlights. 2 finger tan head stays for quite a bit.
S- Roasted malt and hops. There's some chocolate and licorice in there. Maybe a hint of caramel as well.
T- Roasted hops with some flavors that resemble a coca-cola caramel flavor. A unique blend of coffee and soda. Interesting.
M- Well balanced and smooth. Easy to drink.
O- This is a good beer. It has a solid flavor and feel while not being too simple. Good all around beer.
★ 479 characters
3.43/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass.
A: Dark brown/black with three-finger, fizzy, tan head that lasted several minutes. Okay lacing.
S: Sort of a funky smell. Roasted notes too.
T: Moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Nutty and coffee-like flavor. Really not much hops to balance anything.
M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Really smooth.
O: A bit of an odd smell and taste. Head was way too fizzy. Slightly above average Baltic porter here.
★ 447 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass.
A: Dark brown/black with three-finger, fizzy, tan head that lasted several minutes. Okay lacing.
S: Sort of a funky smell. Roasted notes too.
T: Moderate sweetness and light bitterness. Nutty and coffee-like flavor. Really not much hops to balance anything.
M: Medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Really smooth.
O: A bit of an odd smell and taste. Head was way too fizzy. Slightly above average Baltic porter here.
★ 447 characters
3.46/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Beautiful dark dark tar color, a nice tan head... Smells of pit fruit cocoa and raisins. Heavy chocolate and roasted malts on the tongue, also a hint of anise. Nice heavy body and a medium amount of the tiniest bubble carbonation imaginable.
Overall I like it a lot, mostly because I've put 14 hours of hard work day in at MCB Quantico.
★ 337 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Beautiful dark dark tar color, a nice tan head... Smells of pit fruit cocoa and raisins. Heavy chocolate and roasted malts on the tongue, also a hint of anise. Nice heavy body and a medium amount of the tiniest bubble carbonation imaginable.
Overall I like it a lot, mostly because I've put 14 hours of hard work day in at MCB Quantico.
★ 337 characters
3.97/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Out of a bottle this beer was a dark, copper color with one finger of khaki colored head. It retained as a collar and lefts streaks of lacing. The aroma was of roasted malt, caramel malt and chocolate. The flavors were full of chocolate notes with some light nuts, figs, prunes and caramel along with some alcohol heat that appeared as it warmed up. The mouthfeel was smooth and full, the body full and the carbonation light. Despite being full of chocolate it wasn’t overly sweet and I found it highly enjoyable.
★ 515 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Out of a bottle this beer was a dark, copper color with one finger of khaki colored head. It retained as a collar and lefts streaks of lacing. The aroma was of roasted malt, caramel malt and chocolate. The flavors were full of chocolate notes with some light nuts, figs, prunes and caramel along with some alcohol heat that appeared as it warmed up. The mouthfeel was smooth and full, the body full and the carbonation light. Despite being full of chocolate it wasn’t overly sweet and I found it highly enjoyable.
★ 515 characters
3.7/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured a clear dark brown color with ruby red highlights when held up to a light. Nice fluffy tan head with good retention. Thin lacing down the entire glass.
S - Mild smelling roast malts, with some vanilla as well.
T - Nice malty backbone here, with a toffee kick. - Poured a clear but very dark brown color with ruby red highlights when held up to a bright light. Nice fluffy tan head with good retention. Wispy lacing was left down the inside of the glass.
S - Not the most aromatic brew, what I did get from the nose was a malt base with hints of buttery toffee and maybe an ever so slight hint of vanilla. Seems like I could smell a bit of alcohol in the nose as well.
T - Nice roast malt backbone, with some coffee tones as well. Mild bitter chocolate, and toffee is some sips.
M - The mouthfeel seemed a little light, a touch watery.
O - Solid brew, unremarkable in any one measure.
★ 904 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured a clear dark brown color with ruby red highlights when held up to a light. Nice fluffy tan head with good retention. Thin lacing down the entire glass.
S - Mild smelling roast malts, with some vanilla as well.
T - Nice malty backbone here, with a toffee kick. - Poured a clear but very dark brown color with ruby red highlights when held up to a bright light. Nice fluffy tan head with good retention. Wispy lacing was left down the inside of the glass.
S - Not the most aromatic brew, what I did get from the nose was a malt base with hints of buttery toffee and maybe an ever so slight hint of vanilla. Seems like I could smell a bit of alcohol in the nose as well.
T - Nice roast malt backbone, with some coffee tones as well. Mild bitter chocolate, and toffee is some sips.
M - The mouthfeel seemed a little light, a touch watery.
O - Solid brew, unremarkable in any one measure.
★ 904 characters
3.95/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Very dark - almost opaque. Slight tan head.
Roast malts, hint of smoke, cherries on nose.
Roasty entry, lager mouthfeel is smooth. Anice with rich roast malts. Thick and creamy, yet yet smooth. Alcohol fire on finish.
Fits style - enjoyable fireside brew.
★ 258 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Very dark - almost opaque. Slight tan head.
Roast malts, hint of smoke, cherries on nose.
Roasty entry, lager mouthfeel is smooth. Anice with rich roast malts. Thick and creamy, yet yet smooth. Alcohol fire on finish.
Fits style - enjoyable fireside brew.
★ 258 characters
3.73/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Deep, rich brown color with a nice sized head going on. Malty, somewhat sulfur like aroma. Pleasant mix of cocoa, toffee and caramel. Has a distinct nuttiness. Faint hop presence in both bitterness and flavor. Good mouthfeel-thought it was thin at first but warmed into a nice, soft maltiness. Nice beer-not quite sure of it being a Baltic porter.
FYI label says 6.8%abv.
★ 372 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Deep, rich brown color with a nice sized head going on. Malty, somewhat sulfur like aroma. Pleasant mix of cocoa, toffee and caramel. Has a distinct nuttiness. Faint hop presence in both bitterness and flavor. Good mouthfeel-thought it was thin at first but warmed into a nice, soft maltiness. Nice beer-not quite sure of it being a Baltic porter.
FYI label says 6.8%abv.
★ 372 characters
3.85/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours quite a deep brown color. It has a smallish head but who's body is quite dense.
There is a deep roasted malt aroma but thats about it. A rich tasting hardy brew with tons of complex malt taste but mostly a rich roasted malt bill.
Drinks heavy on the palette smooth and a semi dry. has a roasted aftertaste.
Baltic porters aren't one of my favorite even though I am a big porter liker.
This drinks nice, it has a smooth softness about itself and making it a nice easy drinking ale.
Worthy
★ 493 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours quite a deep brown color. It has a smallish head but who's body is quite dense.
There is a deep roasted malt aroma but thats about it. A rich tasting hardy brew with tons of complex malt taste but mostly a rich roasted malt bill.
Drinks heavy on the palette smooth and a semi dry. has a roasted aftertaste.
Baltic porters aren't one of my favorite even though I am a big porter liker.
This drinks nice, it has a smooth softness about itself and making it a nice easy drinking ale.
Worthy
★ 493 characters
2.97/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A- Deep black with just a thin line of tan foam on top. Not too inspiring.
S- Not much here, just a hint of coffee and licorice.
T- Decent flavor of coffee and chocolate with just a little bit of a burnt caramel flavor. Again not overly strong and I can't find the licorice character that came through in the nose.
M- A bit thin and medium in carbonation but it goes down easy.
D- Not bad just nothing very exciting here just a pretty bland porter.
★ 452 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A- Deep black with just a thin line of tan foam on top. Not too inspiring.
S- Not much here, just a hint of coffee and licorice.
T- Decent flavor of coffee and chocolate with just a little bit of a burnt caramel flavor. Again not overly strong and I can't find the licorice character that came through in the nose.
M- A bit thin and medium in carbonation but it goes down easy.
D- Not bad just nothing very exciting here just a pretty bland porter.
★ 452 characters
2.84/5 rDev -24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
A - Deep dark brown, not quite the abyss-like dark that most Stouts and many porters carry. Still, it's on the dark end of Baltic Porter which I like. Color can be very misleading, but darker Baltic Porters tend to suggest more dept of flavor, particularly dark fruit and roast.
A - nothing there. Not that aroma is this style's strong point, but I was hoping for some bready munich and toast, if not a little chocolate and roast.
T - very bland. There's some coffee, caramel and sour twang. Spice shows up intermittently. But this isn't a fun beer to drink. It really lacks depth. Bocks and Brown Porters inspired this beer. Sure, it's not a Russian Imp Stout, but it's a blend of two character-rich styles. Even if it's not Zywiec, still give me something to savor.
M - Watery. Too thin, especially for a beer so strong, and meant to be malt-forward.
O - No wonder it's from Delaware... these guys must be Eagles fans, affected by Reed's dismal Eagles. I'm Philly-proud, but the heralded dream-team shit the bed. I'm gonna try Old Dominion's other products in the future, and pass this one up. Maybe I had a bad bottle, or maybe the other reviewers just haven't had Zywiec and Okocim? I dunno, but I know those are hallmarks of great brewing, anything failing to come close isn't worth your time.
★ 1,302 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
A - Deep dark brown, not quite the abyss-like dark that most Stouts and many porters carry. Still, it's on the dark end of Baltic Porter which I like. Color can be very misleading, but darker Baltic Porters tend to suggest more dept of flavor, particularly dark fruit and roast.
A - nothing there. Not that aroma is this style's strong point, but I was hoping for some bready munich and toast, if not a little chocolate and roast.
T - very bland. There's some coffee, caramel and sour twang. Spice shows up intermittently. But this isn't a fun beer to drink. It really lacks depth. Bocks and Brown Porters inspired this beer. Sure, it's not a Russian Imp Stout, but it's a blend of two character-rich styles. Even if it's not Zywiec, still give me something to savor.
M - Watery. Too thin, especially for a beer so strong, and meant to be malt-forward.
O - No wonder it's from Delaware... these guys must be Eagles fans, affected by Reed's dismal Eagles. I'm Philly-proud, but the heralded dream-team shit the bed. I'm gonna try Old Dominion's other products in the future, and pass this one up. Maybe I had a bad bottle, or maybe the other reviewers just haven't had Zywiec and Okocim? I dunno, but I know those are hallmarks of great brewing, anything failing to come close isn't worth your time.
★ 1,302 characters
4.05/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance - Fairly nice porter/stout with large 3 finger head and black color. Head was yellowish and not as frothy as some others that I thought looked a little better. Very good none-the-less
Smell- chocolatey, burnt smell, some maltiness and slighty smokey.
Taste - Very smooth, chocolatey but not as bold as some others. Finishes with a slight pilsner style crispness.
Mouthfeel - very full bodied and nice.
Overall - I think this a decent well crafted Baltic porter, easy to drink and great for newbies to the style. I've had some others that were much more harsh.
★ 574 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance - Fairly nice porter/stout with large 3 finger head and black color. Head was yellowish and not as frothy as some others that I thought looked a little better. Very good none-the-less
Smell- chocolatey, burnt smell, some maltiness and slighty smokey.
Taste - Very smooth, chocolatey but not as bold as some others. Finishes with a slight pilsner style crispness.
Mouthfeel - very full bodied and nice.
Overall - I think this a decent well crafted Baltic porter, easy to drink and great for newbies to the style. I've had some others that were much more harsh.
★ 574 characters
4/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours an opaque black color with a tan head that fades to a thin layer/ring. Nice lacing.
S - Nice coffee/caramel and other malty tones. A bit of hops in the nose as well.
T - Nice full malty taste. A little bit of chocolate, caramel, and coffee in the taste that merge into a general malty taste. A little bit of alcohol taste. A bit of hop bitterness is present in the finish.
M - Medium to full bodied. Ok carbonation. Pretty smooth and drinkable.
O - Dominion's Baltic Porter is a very solid, enjoyable winter beer. Definitely a nice way to spend a cold evening.
★ 575 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours an opaque black color with a tan head that fades to a thin layer/ring. Nice lacing.
S - Nice coffee/caramel and other malty tones. A bit of hops in the nose as well.
T - Nice full malty taste. A little bit of chocolate, caramel, and coffee in the taste that merge into a general malty taste. A little bit of alcohol taste. A bit of hop bitterness is present in the finish.
M - Medium to full bodied. Ok carbonation. Pretty smooth and drinkable.
O - Dominion's Baltic Porter is a very solid, enjoyable winter beer. Definitely a nice way to spend a cold evening.
★ 575 characters
4.15/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
one of my favorite styles i cannot get enough of, this was the perfect way to start dropping the dark bomb into the night. poured into a pint glass.
Poured a very deep dark brwon, pretty much black, very opaque and thick looking. Huge creamy tan head lifted up to about two inches, then slowly settled back down to about a half inch layer that just sat on top.
caramel and coffee tones dominated this from the beginning. Very sweet smelling, with a hint of chocolate on the back. Very full aroma, and a hint of alcohol. Initial taste was loaded with caramel and chocolate tones. A touch of alcohol warmed it up as well. Lots of roasted coffee tones in the back, and a nice bitter, dry hoppy finish. This was a really well rounded and full taste. Very nice indeed. Very full, pretty much stout like in feel. Rich creamy with very good carbonation.
★ 849 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
one of my favorite styles i cannot get enough of, this was the perfect way to start dropping the dark bomb into the night. poured into a pint glass.
Poured a very deep dark brwon, pretty much black, very opaque and thick looking. Huge creamy tan head lifted up to about two inches, then slowly settled back down to about a half inch layer that just sat on top.
caramel and coffee tones dominated this from the beginning. Very sweet smelling, with a hint of chocolate on the back. Very full aroma, and a hint of alcohol. Initial taste was loaded with caramel and chocolate tones. A touch of alcohol warmed it up as well. Lots of roasted coffee tones in the back, and a nice bitter, dry hoppy finish. This was a really well rounded and full taste. Very nice indeed. Very full, pretty much stout like in feel. Rich creamy with very good carbonation.
★ 849 characters
3.45/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A.A- Smelt great! Poured with little head. Strong alcohol content. A little too robust for a porter. Not great, but not horrible. I give it a C
Y - On first opening it I was excited because it smelt very sweet. The taste answered the call of the smell. It was very malty, a little too malty for a porter. It tastes a bit too much like the Oak Barrel Stout. It has a small bite in the beginning, smoothing out at the end. All in all I give it a C+. Not bad, not spectacular, worth a try.
★ 487 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A.A- Smelt great! Poured with little head. Strong alcohol content. A little too robust for a porter. Not great, but not horrible. I give it a C
Y - On first opening it I was excited because it smelt very sweet. The taste answered the call of the smell. It was very malty, a little too malty for a porter. It tastes a bit too much like the Oak Barrel Stout. It has a small bite in the beginning, smoothing out at the end. All in all I give it a C+. Not bad, not spectacular, worth a try.
★ 487 characters
3.66/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Dominion Baltic Porter is a weak but drinkable Baltic porter.
A: Black colour and a 1 cm tan head that fades to good lacing. 4.5
S: The smell is isn't strong but slightly hoppy. There is some funkiness to it, like you get from wild yeasts. 3.5
T: The taste is sour and malty with a little spicy. There is a slight amount of roastiness too. 3.5
M: Nice and foamy. 4.5
O: Decent enough, but I don't love it.
★ 410 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Dominion Baltic Porter is a weak but drinkable Baltic porter.
A: Black colour and a 1 cm tan head that fades to good lacing. 4.5
S: The smell is isn't strong but slightly hoppy. There is some funkiness to it, like you get from wild yeasts. 3.5
T: The taste is sour and malty with a little spicy. There is a slight amount of roastiness too. 3.5
M: Nice and foamy. 4.5
O: Decent enough, but I don't love it.
★ 410 characters
3.08/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - hint of light through center of glass. Tall, tight nearly white head.
S - mild malts covered by a pilsner and candy scent.
T - malt heavy with dried fruit and chocolate. Ild bitter turn in the after taste.
M - medium coating with a tingle on front of tongye.
O - I could have a couple but not my first choice by far.
★ 324 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A - hint of light through center of glass. Tall, tight nearly white head.
S - mild malts covered by a pilsner and candy scent.
T - malt heavy with dried fruit and chocolate. Ild bitter turn in the after taste.
M - medium coating with a tingle on front of tongye.
O - I could have a couple but not my first choice by far.
★ 324 characters
4/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Let it warm a bit after pouring for the traits to emerge.
A= near black brown; very little head if any when poured carefully. Minimal rimming and then none. Very little carbonation activity.
S= interesting and unusual compared to the general run of craft stouts these days. Maybe bready-rye, slight hint of anise/hyssop in the predominant toasty chocolate malts. A whiff of more Turkish chocolate taffy here and there.
T= dry bitterness more so from toasted malts than hops, in fact I'm having trouble finding hops in here. Very nice and interesting, a bit lacking on carbonation however. Some rye pumpernickel bready notes. For its titular claim as a "Baltic Porter," though, it's far too tame. But I see it's listed as an "American Porter"-- titular mis-labeling seems to be getting popular these days.
M= dry and also very slightly sour. Almost numbing on the palate for some reason. In fact, my entire mouth seems slowly becoming numb for some odd reason! Acck! Not detracting, however-- just odd and interesting.
D= decent, could have a few.
As far as local/regional beers, however, I'll take Flying Dog Gonzo Porter any day over this.
★ 1,146 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Let it warm a bit after pouring for the traits to emerge.
A= near black brown; very little head if any when poured carefully. Minimal rimming and then none. Very little carbonation activity.
S= interesting and unusual compared to the general run of craft stouts these days. Maybe bready-rye, slight hint of anise/hyssop in the predominant toasty chocolate malts. A whiff of more Turkish chocolate taffy here and there.
T= dry bitterness more so from toasted malts than hops, in fact I'm having trouble finding hops in here. Very nice and interesting, a bit lacking on carbonation however. Some rye pumpernickel bready notes. For its titular claim as a "Baltic Porter," though, it's far too tame. But I see it's listed as an "American Porter"-- titular mis-labeling seems to be getting popular these days.
M= dry and also very slightly sour. Almost numbing on the palate for some reason. In fact, my entire mouth seems slowly becoming numb for some odd reason! Acck! Not detracting, however-- just odd and interesting.
D= decent, could have a few.
As far as local/regional beers, however, I'll take Flying Dog Gonzo Porter any day over this.
★ 1,146 characters
4.32/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a 16oz Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a coffee color with a small brownish head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind a thin ring of lace.
Smell: Smells of chocolate and toffee with a bit of rye spiciness.
Taste: Begins with a licorice flavor which rounds into chocolate and a hint of toffee, finishing with more of the same and a slight spice from rye. It also has some coffee flavors throughout.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with balanced carbonation and a warming finish.
Drinkability: A very nice and somewhat unique Baltic porter. Definitely a great winter brew, and another great offering from Dominion.
★ 663 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a 16oz Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a coffee color with a small brownish head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind a thin ring of lace.
Smell: Smells of chocolate and toffee with a bit of rye spiciness.
Taste: Begins with a licorice flavor which rounds into chocolate and a hint of toffee, finishing with more of the same and a slight spice from rye. It also has some coffee flavors throughout.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with balanced carbonation and a warming finish.
Drinkability: A very nice and somewhat unique Baltic porter. Definitely a great winter brew, and another great offering from Dominion.
★ 663 characters
3/5 rDev -20%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a deep dark charcoal brown near black with a nice lasting tight beige head. Aroma is lightly hopped, a touch of mint and pine over big chocolate malts, smooth nutty sweetness, toast, and light burnt hint with a touch of diacetyl. Flavor is clean, with good chocolate hints, roast, toffee moderate sweetness and a light leathery earthy finish to dry it out some. But something was lacking from this porter.
★ 411 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a deep dark charcoal brown near black with a nice lasting tight beige head. Aroma is lightly hopped, a touch of mint and pine over big chocolate malts, smooth nutty sweetness, toast, and light burnt hint with a touch of diacetyl. Flavor is clean, with good chocolate hints, roast, toffee moderate sweetness and a light leathery earthy finish to dry it out some. But something was lacking from this porter.
★ 411 characters
Dominion Baltic Porter from Old Dominion Brewing Company
3.75
out of 5
based on 226 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Of course, we all know the history of Baltic Porter: English porter .... Catherine the Great ---- long sea voyage to Russia .... yadda yadda. This version opens in a moderate head of splotchy foam that is eager to subside. The body is tar black. What little lacing there is seems to slink into a filmy overlay.
There is a strange nose that portends a freakish union of molasses and orange (oranglasses?) Stir it a little for a swift whiff of cream. Whuuuut? An ambitious palate can detect some wispy caramel before it fades into a speedy shot of oat and malt. There she goes; she's gone. The mouthfeel is well balanced wih a few creamy riffs going on before laying on a blanket of semi-sweetness at the fade.
I love the style; however, this version was adequate, but drinkable. In any case, it does NOT exemply a Baltic Porter as it has become to be known and loved - and quaffed. Oh Catherine, stop f--- that horse and pour me another Baltic Porter.
★ 953 characters