Saku Estonian Porter
Saku Brewery LTD

Saku Estonian PorterSaku Estonian Porter
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From:
Saku Brewery LTD
 
Estonia
Style:
Baltic Porter
Ranked #145
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
81
Ranked #25,434
Avg:
3.55 | pDev: 15.77%
Reviews:
49
Ratings:
71
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 20, 2023
Added:
Jul 10, 2002
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
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Rated: 3.43 by Robertas from Lithuania

Jul 26, 2021
 
Rated: 3.33 by smi69 from New York

Jun 10, 2020
Photo of Beginner2
Rated by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Listed in the "1001", my notes indicate BA ("Buy Again"). Now if I can only find it to review.
Aug 01, 2016
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured into tulip glass. It pours a jet black with a two-finger, frothy, tan head and lacing. It smells of licorice, currents, burnt coffee, and peat. The taste is much sweeter than I anticipated. The currents are prevalent but there is also some raisin and molasses, as well as coffee. I don't taste a lot of malt and there is virtually no hop presence. I expected a lot more burnt coffee and bitter aftertaste. This porter is medium bodied and moderately carbonated. The 7.5% ABV is very manageable. Overall, this is a very interesting and tasty Baltic Porter. I considerate it more of a dessert beer than one to pare with a meal.
Feb 06, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

1.74/5  rDev -51%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2
A lot of brown and red, this isn't going to impress anyone who likes their porters to look like stouts. Aroma was just a brutal array of rubbing alcohol, spoiling dark fruit, copper pennies and like dry hopping with rubbing alcohol.

Taste was hot as fuck. Licorice even, this is challenging me to try and finish. So much fusel alcohol impact, really destroys its taste and mouthfeel for other things.
Dec 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Hayley_86 from Netherlands

Dec 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.01 by avwrite from California

Sep 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by BlueSpader from Washington

Jul 25, 2015
Photo of jooler
Rated by jooler from California

3.98/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Great porter. Really smooth. Dominate malt and chocolate taste with a hint of coffee. Btw, bottled in early 2014
May 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.29 by Dufmandinga from Maine

Apr 19, 2015
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

2.17/5  rDev -38.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
This is some kind of dark Euro-trash. Dirty. Where does the overwhelming gloom of licorice come from? It's a medicinal and harsh alcohol-flavored concoction. The smell is rancid prune Danish. Some caramel but overwhelmed by burnt raisins. The aftertaste is oxidized malt liquor with something that makes me think of transmission fluid.

I have to agree with Beerandraiderfan on this one (see 2012 review). I'm wondering, since this brewery is owned by Carlsberg Breweries, if this is really a Carlsberg product. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Botleworks in Seattle for $2.99. Totally not worth it. I don't think this is in any way spoiled. It's from refrigerated storage at a reputable store and seems properly made.
Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by jzlyo from Iowa

Dec 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.56 by TheyCallMeYukon from Ohio

Sep 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by PrendUnVerreDeBiere from Kentucky

Aug 17, 2014
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Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.2/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottle purchased at Beers of the World in Rochester, NY.

Pours a very dark brown, basically black, with a one inch head, and not a whole lot of lacing.

Smells like currants, chocolate, molasses, and brown sugar. Really unique for a porter.

This porter has some cool tastes that I wasn't expecting. Same cool dark fruits flavors as in the aromas- some currants, grape jam, molasses, brown sugar, some chocolate syrup, caramel, toffee, and rum. No real roasted malt flavor, which is interesting. Given that, I'd have thought it'd be too sweet and cloying, but it's not. High five!

This one has a medium body, with a very, very smooth mouthfeel, creamy as hell. There is a low amount of carbonation. This one is very drinkable.

First beer from Estonia, and it's one of the best Baltics I've ever had. Great!
Aug 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by sharpski from Canada (BC)

Dec 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by hockeypuck from Maine

Oct 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Olavi from Estonia

Sep 18, 2013
Photo of artoolemomo
Reviewed by artoolemomo from Oregon

2.97/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Appearance- Pours up a good amount of head which looks as if it will have atrocious retention. The head is a weak, light beige while the body is a dark chocolate brown which shows hints of maroon when held up to the light. No lacing at all.

Nose- A lot of bubble gum from the bottle, some hints of roasted notes. The glass gives up a faint hint of bubble gum but not much else. This is not a auspicious beginning. Swirling the beer only reveals this aroma more. I hope this is not reflected on the palate.

Taste- Some bubble gum- this seems to pervade every aspect of this beer. There are some roasted malts but they are rather diminished. Some caramel notes. A slight, woody bitter finish with some spice and a small amount of heat. The flavor profile is rather thin and lacks presence- this, despite the fact, that I don't want any of the notes that I'm tasting to be more prominent. Enjoyable roasted malts start to appear on the finish but overall, this is a rather mediocre beer. I can never abide by a heavy bubble gum flavor. This beer is less offensive the quicker you drink it. It's not bad but it ain't good either.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied- could use more heft for the style. Very little carbonation. This would work if this had more heft to it but instead it comes off as poorly carbonated schwarzbier at times.

Drinkability- Not really offensive, just not desirable. It's a beer I would drink quickly for the alcohol. Poor price point.

Overall- Very average. There are so many better Baltic Porters out there. I cannot suggest trying this unless you are a sucker (or ticker) for Baltic Porters.
Aug 17, 2013
Saku Estonian Porter from Saku Brewery LTD
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 71 ratings