Sunrise
New Trail Brewing Company

 

 

 

16oz can into a pint glass. No freshness dating.

Mixed look. Jet black body. Initial large loose bubbly tan head disappears quickly, no lacing.

There are light aromas of coffee and vanilla.

On tasting, coffee comes through a lot more than vanilla. Light roast, thinner in body than would be preferred, but a decent enough taste.

Mouth barely reaches medium, finish a light coffee roast.

Overall, lacks the ommph of a true baltic. As a sessionable coffee porter, an okay drink.

NT rarely disappoints and in spite of a vanilla blend which i normally avoid, this one come through as a good take on a Baltic porter. Pours Jet black and while only at 5.5%, this one is a good starter for newbies to this style.

 

 

 

 

 

Slight audibly fizzy medium brown head quickly fades away... Jet black color and eerily still... Big nose highlighted by roasted malt and coffee... The palate also introduces some dark chocolate notes... Medium bodied, sleek and slightly chewy with just a touch of carbonation... Rock solid and quite enjoyable... Textbook representation of the style...

 

It pours like a cola, deep caramel brown with carbonation, but no head nor lacing. There's enough roasted malt aroma, combined with very subtle coffee and vanilla hints, to inspire good hopes for the drink. The "Baltic Porter" self-description becomes problematic, since I associate the category with hearty, bold and rich tastes infused with enough alcohol that one knows it's there. This is a pleasant coffee stout. The coffee and vanilla inclusions are artistically done. They remain subtle, yet there throughout. Unfortunately, there's no trace of a smooth body expected from a stout/porter.

 

Very nice

 

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is solid dark brown, head is tan, fine bubbles, head presents at least 1/2 inch thick on the first pour and then settles to solid top and remains with lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is light roasted coffee upfront, then subtle roasted malt, notes of light malt sweetness and dry coffee beans.

Taste is blend of porter base and coffee additions, vanilla is muted or not present to me; coffee is a dry roast but pronounced and noticeable, porter base is quite pleasant with moderate roast and chocolate notes, but not overly sweet. Not really a baltic porter in strength, but it has a solid malt base. Hop flavors are low but there is some noticeable bitterness.

Mouthfeel is moderately carbonated, lightly sweet in the middle, then drying on the tongue with a bit of bitter lingering presence.

Overall a good coffee porter, but when I hear 'Baltic' I expected a more to style rendition, that said its still very good with pleasant coffee notes/good robust porter base and a highlight amongst the haze at New Trail.