Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Pours out of the can a dark brown with about 2 fingers of head with moderate lacing. Smells like chocolate nibs and toasted malts but I'm not smelling the vanilla. More carbonation than I was expecting but the flavors are all there, maybe an addition to a coffee note. Not a terribly thrilling beer, that might be a reason they went away from this one being the go-to seasonal in winter.

 

A very light, inoffensive porter that is missing anything memorable. Thick and persistent head, smells like a lager, moderate carbonation, tastes bland. My cat liked it though.

 

12 ounce bottle poured into a tulip glass. Bottled 2/14/22, not ideal but reasonable for a porter.

L---Dark brown color with bright ruby edges. Fluffy khaki head faded quickly down to a ring and left ok lacing.

S---Cocoa, vanilla and caramel as advertised. Very light coffee, if I wasn't specifically looking for it I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

T---Follows the nose. Caramel, cocoa and vanilla. Lingering finish, nice.

F---Not really creamy as advertised. Medium plus body with light carbonation.

O---A nice one. Wifey really liked it.

 

poured from a 12oz bottle into a tall New Glarus pilsner glass. pours light brown but gathers in the glass a little darker with two fingers of wet sand colored foam. roasted malts, light vanilla and chocolate on the nose. taste toes the line between dessert beer and drinkable session beer. it’s lightly frosted chocolate cake with roasted coffee but it’s all very subdued. a light, almost watery mouthfeel makes it that much more drinkable but doesn’t necessarily add to the overall enjoyment of the beer. it’s a pretty good, fairly drinkable porter can knock a couple back in a single session and not get overwhelmed or too full.

12oz'er dated

Black ruby, tall bubbly head that fades quick. Smells like toasted grain, choco, and everclear. The taste leans into the chocolate and toast, with an overload of sweetness

It's not bad, but I kinda hated it, if that makes sense

Dark brown color and light passes through the center of the glass easily. Tiny and brief head that completely subsides in seconds. No lace.

Strong caramel aroma. Sugary.

Darker malt to begin, but the molasses like sweetness finishes the beer. A bit too cloy. The beer's body is surprisingly thin with a lower than expected carbonation.

 

 

 

 

This is a seasonal beer and hard to find West of the Mississippi but it’s worth getting your hands on some. It’s my favorite Porter I’ve had thus far. I typically don’t like anything that Leinenkugel comes out with, but this is great. It smells like vanilla, chocolate. It is smooth and not thick. It has a creamy vanilla taste. On a side note, it makes my stomach cramp unlike any other beer. Not sure why.

creamy dark sweet smelling beer . great vanilla malt flavors - they have always been a favorite brewer

 

 

 

 

 

Bought a 6pack bottles $8.99 Target
80 days before best by date on bottle
Smells faintly of cocoa
Dark black color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Tastes of molasses, vanilla, cocoa
Overall an ok porter. Doesn't have much complexity, but ok for the price.

 

I bought the winter sample pack and to my surprise this was in it. The darkest smoothest beer I have ever had. Even the head was brown. Very smooth with no after taste.

 

I love the taste of vanilla but this beer has way too much of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A - Normal pour into chalice producing a dark colored but transparent brew sporting a 1/2" quickly dissipating head. Low carbonation. Some lacing.

S - Artificial smelling vanilla. Some malt.

T - Extremely artificial tasting. Vanilla and artificial flavors. Some malt.

M - Thin and flat.

D - Not very good. Not very good at all. This one is a big disappointment. I purchased this one because of my fond memories of Sunset Wheat. I won't be purchasing this one again.

I've always liked Leinenkugel's offerings, for the most part. Seeing that snowdrifts are imminent, I decided to give a 6-pack of this a try. A nice maple syrup color in the glass, and hints of vanilla on the nose had me eager for tasting. The vanilla came and went, and sometimes leaned the brew toward root beer, but a good porter bitterness steered it back on course. There was more vanilla in the taste than in the smell, so the opposite of vanilla extract. It felt smooth going down, and was better cold than at room temperature (where the bitterness began to dominate). I don't regret buying a 6, and may again when I know I'll be able to watch snowdrifts accumulate without having to worry about getting anywhere.

It’s not only wine that is bought for the label. I bought one in a mix and match pack because I liked the name. It sounds like it must be good. Unfortunately, not so much and I was disappointed. I’m not sure how to describe it, but not really like a typical porter. The flavor lacked depth and the feel was kind of thin.

 

 

 

As a Leine product I was expecting a strong artificial vanilla taste. Instead it was very subtle and not very distinctive. The label says a robust porter aged on real vanilla. That’s not a very accurate representation but it’s a good basic porter. Tastes of chocolate, carmel, and roasted biscuit with a slight vanilla taste. Overall, a good beer but not one worth troubling yourself to seek out. I think there are many better options at the same price point.