Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Porter - American
Ranked #1,127 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 79
Ranked #47,209 - Avg:
- 3.46 | pDev: 17.05%
- Reviews:
- 305
- Ratings:
- From:
- Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 59
- Gots
- 619
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay
Notes:
Drift into winter with Snowdrift Vanilla Porter, back by popular demand as our Winter standalone. A fuller-bodied brew with hints of cocoa, coffee and caramel brought out by roasted malts and aged on real vanilla, our Leinenkugel’s Snowdrift Vanilla Porter is smooth and creamy, making it perfect for warming up winter.
Reviews: 305
| Ratings: 1,939
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
realJohnnyHobo from Maryland
2.59/5 rDev -25.1%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Semi aggressive pour leaves two-finger cocoa coloured head with limited retention. The smell is of adjunct like corn, and yes I am smelling a porter so I am a bit confused. Even from when I sniffed the bottle and then pour the same corn like scent is apparent. The faintest roasted smell of malt exists in the notes for me and this isn't too promising as far as smell goes. The appearance is a tea colored, nearly transparent, and has mild action.
Best by 012521- Tasting, its most important aspect, has a nearly awful flavour. The mouthfeel is light, watery, and the finish is slightly dry and mild hop character. 2nd taste is dull, there are chocolate notes in the rear but the vanilla is purely neutral. I am going for a mouth swirl now, 3rd/ 4th taste and there is a boiled vegetable flavor that lingers like a flaked corn that was used to give this beer smoothness or something, mild notes of alcohol in the rear but this might be one of the most boring examples of a porter I have ever had. The finsih of my first glass I got a bit more use to the notes, tempature is at 9˚C atm, not too bad but you really need to dig deep to find flavor.
The bottle is claiming "aged on real vanilla" for this robust porter but all I am getting is a 'bust' beer. Why people love this is odd to me.
Saturday at 01:58 PM
2.59/5 rDev -25.1%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Semi aggressive pour leaves two-finger cocoa coloured head with limited retention. The smell is of adjunct like corn, and yes I am smelling a porter so I am a bit confused. Even from when I sniffed the bottle and then pour the same corn like scent is apparent. The faintest roasted smell of malt exists in the notes for me and this isn't too promising as far as smell goes. The appearance is a tea colored, nearly transparent, and has mild action.
Best by 012521- Tasting, its most important aspect, has a nearly awful flavour. The mouthfeel is light, watery, and the finish is slightly dry and mild hop character. 2nd taste is dull, there are chocolate notes in the rear but the vanilla is purely neutral. I am going for a mouth swirl now, 3rd/ 4th taste and there is a boiled vegetable flavor that lingers like a flaked corn that was used to give this beer smoothness or something, mild notes of alcohol in the rear but this might be one of the most boring examples of a porter I have ever had. The finsih of my first glass I got a bit more use to the notes, tempature is at 9˚C atm, not too bad but you really need to dig deep to find flavor.
The bottle is claiming "aged on real vanilla" for this robust porter but all I am getting is a 'bust' beer. Why people love this is odd to me.
Saturday at 01:58 PM
JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
3.46/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A 12 oz. bottle poured into a clear pint glass reveals a liquid that looks a little like carbonated black coffee. There was a bit of a light tan head, for a minute or two. Absolutely no glass lace and very little roasted malt aroma. There is just a hint of vanilla above the glass. There is some roasted malt flavor and a subtle vanilla inclusion. Nice taste, for what is there, but it's too shallow to be considered great. A thin porter is rarely a good porter and Snowdrift isn't. Certainly not bad, but not one to look for, neither.
Aug 25, 2020
3.46/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A 12 oz. bottle poured into a clear pint glass reveals a liquid that looks a little like carbonated black coffee. There was a bit of a light tan head, for a minute or two. Absolutely no glass lace and very little roasted malt aroma. There is just a hint of vanilla above the glass. There is some roasted malt flavor and a subtle vanilla inclusion. Nice taste, for what is there, but it's too shallow to be considered great. A thin porter is rarely a good porter and Snowdrift isn't. Certainly not bad, but not one to look for, neither.
Aug 25, 2020
1009 from Massachusetts
3.57/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Not a bad porter. I am a huge fan of the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy so I decided to give this one a go to check out other beers from them. I was not disappointed, but not WOWed. It has classic dark color like a typical porter with a nice brown foamy heady. It tastes like a chocolate bar with a vanilla twist which is nice. However, it does not go down as smooth as I would expect. Overall, I am satisfied, but not completely impressed. A solid beer.
May 07, 2020
3.57/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Not a bad porter. I am a huge fan of the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy so I decided to give this one a go to check out other beers from them. I was not disappointed, but not WOWed. It has classic dark color like a typical porter with a nice brown foamy heady. It tastes like a chocolate bar with a vanilla twist which is nice. However, it does not go down as smooth as I would expect. Overall, I am satisfied, but not completely impressed. A solid beer.
May 07, 2020
detgfrsh from Texas
3.58/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From a 12oz bottle. Pours a dark caramel color with a half inch of brown head. Roasted malt and vanilla smell. Full body. Faint roastiness with cola-like sweetness. Not bad.
Jan 27, 2020
3.58/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From a 12oz bottle. Pours a dark caramel color with a half inch of brown head. Roasted malt and vanilla smell. Full body. Faint roastiness with cola-like sweetness. Not bad.
Jan 27, 2020
Peach63 from New York
3.33/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours deep copper with a 1/4 inch tan head, which dissipates. Minimal lacing.
Aroma of roasted malts, very faint vanilla.
Tastes of coffee, vanilla, roast malts. A bit of sweetness.
Light to medium bodied, light carbonation. Semi-sweet finish.
More like a brown ale than a porter. Not a whole lot of vanilla taste. An ok beer none the less.
Jan 09, 2020
3.33/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours deep copper with a 1/4 inch tan head, which dissipates. Minimal lacing.
Aroma of roasted malts, very faint vanilla.
Tastes of coffee, vanilla, roast malts. A bit of sweetness.
Light to medium bodied, light carbonation. Semi-sweet finish.
More like a brown ale than a porter. Not a whole lot of vanilla taste. An ok beer none the less.
Jan 09, 2020
defunksta from North Dakota
3.34/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a dark, nearly jet black color with a large tan head. SRM of 23. (4.25)
Aroma: Light aromas of milk chocolate. nonspecific malts, maybe hints of vanilla? But not very strong. Some molasses sweetness. (3.25)
Flavor: Vanilla upfront. Followed by some milk chocolate and cream. A strong vanilla cherry cola flavor in the middle. A chocolate and vanilla cream sweetness on the backend. (3.25)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Low carbonation. Flat. A mild vanilla cream lingers on the palate. (3.00)
Overall: Not the best beer. The negatives are the simplicity and lack of complex aromas. The aromas and malts are nonspecific and not very flavorful. Also it is undercarbonated, watery, and flat. Not what you want in a beer. The positives are first the appearance. And Two, the vanilla is pleasant, appropriately dosed and not too strong. Not one to seek out as you may have expected. It's not unlike a vanilla cherry coke. More cherry cola as the beer sits. (Final Rating: 3.34)
Jan 01, 2020
3.34/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a dark, nearly jet black color with a large tan head. SRM of 23. (4.25)
Aroma: Light aromas of milk chocolate. nonspecific malts, maybe hints of vanilla? But not very strong. Some molasses sweetness. (3.25)
Flavor: Vanilla upfront. Followed by some milk chocolate and cream. A strong vanilla cherry cola flavor in the middle. A chocolate and vanilla cream sweetness on the backend. (3.25)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Low carbonation. Flat. A mild vanilla cream lingers on the palate. (3.00)
Overall: Not the best beer. The negatives are the simplicity and lack of complex aromas. The aromas and malts are nonspecific and not very flavorful. Also it is undercarbonated, watery, and flat. Not what you want in a beer. The positives are first the appearance. And Two, the vanilla is pleasant, appropriately dosed and not too strong. Not one to seek out as you may have expected. It's not unlike a vanilla cherry coke. More cherry cola as the beer sits. (Final Rating: 3.34)
Jan 01, 2020
DavetotheB from Pennsylvania
3.79/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 12oz bottle (best buy date 3/9/20) into a pint glass. Pours nearly opaque dark, dark brown with about a finger of light brown head which dissipates quickly leaving no lacing. Smell is dominated by roastiness with vanilla int he background. Taste is more vanilla with roastiness in the background. Neither taste is distinct-a little muddled. Mouthfeel is thin but not detracting from the taste. Overall, this is not a beer I would go out and grab a sixer of, but as a single it's not all that bad.
Dec 20, 2019
3.79/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 12oz bottle (best buy date 3/9/20) into a pint glass. Pours nearly opaque dark, dark brown with about a finger of light brown head which dissipates quickly leaving no lacing. Smell is dominated by roastiness with vanilla int he background. Taste is more vanilla with roastiness in the background. Neither taste is distinct-a little muddled. Mouthfeel is thin but not detracting from the taste. Overall, this is not a beer I would go out and grab a sixer of, but as a single it's not all that bad.
Dec 20, 2019
mikeinportc from New York
3.66/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a bottle with BB date of Mar. 02 20.
Slightly reddish cola-brown, with quickly-dissipating 1 finger tan head. Slight ring remains after ~30 sec., with no appreciable lacing.
Smell is roasty/nutty malt, light cola, a little doughy, and slight (stone)fruitiness.
Dec 19, 2019
3.66/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a bottle with BB date of Mar. 02 20.
Slightly reddish cola-brown, with quickly-dissipating 1 finger tan head. Slight ring remains after ~30 sec., with no appreciable lacing.
Smell is roasty/nutty malt, light cola, a little doughy, and slight (stone)fruitiness.
Dec 19, 2019
Bsimpson91 from Georgia
4.99/5 rDev +44.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Very Well done Porter!
Starting things off with the look. Poured into my Favourite Tulip glass, results in a deep umber appearance. Not much Head or lacing. Swirl test gets me a slight bit of cap. Moving on to smell. On the nose I get a Classic Dark beer aroma. You can smell those dark roasted malts. Tangy, caramel and cold brew coffee. Hints of vanilla but you have to search for it. Now Let's talk about taste. Top end is semi-sweet. caramel, Coffee and vanilla notes all come together at once. Vanilla is not pronounced. The use of vanilla is what creates the pallet for other flavors to come to the forefront. The use of vanilla in this beer adds a perceived sweet character. the middle is lucious and mildly oaky. the finish is smooth and wet. Now for feel. This beer is smooth all the way through. Creamy texture. Carbonation is medium and so is the body. Overall, A darn Good Porter!
Dec 17, 2019
4.99/5 rDev +44.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Very Well done Porter!
Starting things off with the look. Poured into my Favourite Tulip glass, results in a deep umber appearance. Not much Head or lacing. Swirl test gets me a slight bit of cap. Moving on to smell. On the nose I get a Classic Dark beer aroma. You can smell those dark roasted malts. Tangy, caramel and cold brew coffee. Hints of vanilla but you have to search for it. Now Let's talk about taste. Top end is semi-sweet. caramel, Coffee and vanilla notes all come together at once. Vanilla is not pronounced. The use of vanilla is what creates the pallet for other flavors to come to the forefront. The use of vanilla in this beer adds a perceived sweet character. the middle is lucious and mildly oaky. the finish is smooth and wet. Now for feel. This beer is smooth all the way through. Creamy texture. Carbonation is medium and so is the body. Overall, A darn Good Porter!
Dec 17, 2019
Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
3.17/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bottle into a tulip.
Pours a deep garnet-brown with a quickly subsiding head but good lacing.
Aromas of vague toasted malts and a hint of vanilla. A whiff of chocolate/coffee.
Roasted malts on the tip of the tongue, with vanilla and cola in mid-stream. Nothing offensive but nothing special either. Initially skews sweet. Then the finish is somewhat astringent and metallic with a hint of grassy/floral hop. The flavors are vague like the aromas. There is a general "porter" smell and taste, but no specific flavors.
The brew has a nice medium feel. Excellent carbonation and a drying finish.
It meets the definition of the style in the basic flavors and aspects, but there is nothing remarkable, and it has some odd flavors on the finish.
Nov 28, 2019
3.17/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bottle into a tulip.
Pours a deep garnet-brown with a quickly subsiding head but good lacing.
Aromas of vague toasted malts and a hint of vanilla. A whiff of chocolate/coffee.
Roasted malts on the tip of the tongue, with vanilla and cola in mid-stream. Nothing offensive but nothing special either. Initially skews sweet. Then the finish is somewhat astringent and metallic with a hint of grassy/floral hop. The flavors are vague like the aromas. There is a general "porter" smell and taste, but no specific flavors.
The brew has a nice medium feel. Excellent carbonation and a drying finish.
It meets the definition of the style in the basic flavors and aspects, but there is nothing remarkable, and it has some odd flavors on the finish.
Nov 28, 2019
pretzels096
3.32/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Beautiful brown color. Smells of bread and malt with a smidge of vanilla. The bottle proclaims this to be a “robust” porter, but it feels much lighter than other porters I’ve tried. Taste is malty, with an extra smoothness perhaps aided by the vanilla. Less pleasant is an aftertaste reminiscent of bread dipped in communion wine which detracts from the taste but you get used to it. Overall, this is pretty sessionable, even though it falls short of craft porters
Nov 20, 2019
3.32/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Beautiful brown color. Smells of bread and malt with a smidge of vanilla. The bottle proclaims this to be a “robust” porter, but it feels much lighter than other porters I’ve tried. Taste is malty, with an extra smoothness perhaps aided by the vanilla. Less pleasant is an aftertaste reminiscent of bread dipped in communion wine which detracts from the taste but you get used to it. Overall, this is pretty sessionable, even though it falls short of craft porters
Nov 20, 2019
vette2006c5r from Minnesota
3.65/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter pours a translucent brown color, with not much head. Mellow aroma, but nice hints of warm vanilla. Flavor is full of lots of vanilla flavoring, not much else. Just a little watery. Overall, lots and lots of vanilla, easy to drink, just a little too sweet.
Nov 20, 2019
3.65/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter pours a translucent brown color, with not much head. Mellow aroma, but nice hints of warm vanilla. Flavor is full of lots of vanilla flavoring, not much else. Just a little watery. Overall, lots and lots of vanilla, easy to drink, just a little too sweet.
Nov 20, 2019
VABA from Virginia
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-Pours a brownish color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has vanilla hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a vanilla flavor
M-A light bodied well carbonated beer
O-A decent Porter
Nov 17, 2019
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-Pours a brownish color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has vanilla hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a vanilla flavor
M-A light bodied well carbonated beer
O-A decent Porter
Nov 17, 2019
jmc65267 from Georgia
3.51/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pretty solid porter. Flavor is super great but still nice. First time having it and it’s definitely enjoyable and I would have again given the opportunity.
Nov 07, 2019
3.51/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pretty solid porter. Flavor is super great but still nice. First time having it and it’s definitely enjoyable and I would have again given the opportunity.
Nov 07, 2019
Tantonys from Maine
5/5 rDev +44.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Are you kidding me? As good as it gets!!! A very pleasant Porter and then some! Nice rich dark malt and nice hopping. Subtle vanilla aging adds unique oak-like presence. You can never go wrong with a Leinenkugel's!
Nov 04, 2019
5/5 rDev +44.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Are you kidding me? As good as it gets!!! A very pleasant Porter and then some! Nice rich dark malt and nice hopping. Subtle vanilla aging adds unique oak-like presence. You can never go wrong with a Leinenkugel's!
Nov 04, 2019
DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.3/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
I just experienced a light snow slushie on my car this morning. How about a Snowdrift to commemorate? On to the beer:
Looks ruby brown, but a closer inspection shows it's more dark ruby red than brown. Inch thick of head above, which drops into a small lace. It does smell pleasant, perhaps a little better than merely pleasant. The vanilla enchances blackstrap molasses and a kiss of brown sugar.
I drank and the first thing to hit is vanilla. It can get cloying at times, especially as the base porter is mediocre in taste. A dendril of that porter goodness washed with molasses. A pull pint might be asking for too much; a smaller tasting size than that works better for me.
Oct 29, 2019
3.3/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
I just experienced a light snow slushie on my car this morning. How about a Snowdrift to commemorate? On to the beer:
Looks ruby brown, but a closer inspection shows it's more dark ruby red than brown. Inch thick of head above, which drops into a small lace. It does smell pleasant, perhaps a little better than merely pleasant. The vanilla enchances blackstrap molasses and a kiss of brown sugar.
I drank and the first thing to hit is vanilla. It can get cloying at times, especially as the base porter is mediocre in taste. A dendril of that porter goodness washed with molasses. A pull pint might be asking for too much; a smaller tasting size than that works better for me.
Oct 29, 2019
GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.42/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From old, undated notes; had this on draft.
Dark brown liquid; light passes through.
Small off-white head.
Subtle vanilla in the nose, but not much smell here.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Toffee and vanilla maltiness in the taste; hint of hop bite. Decent.
Sep 29, 2019
3.42/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From old, undated notes; had this on draft.
Dark brown liquid; light passes through.
Small off-white head.
Subtle vanilla in the nose, but not much smell here.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Toffee and vanilla maltiness in the taste; hint of hop bite. Decent.
Sep 29, 2019
Nass from Florida
3.4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
The vanilla is faint in the taste & the body is not thick enough for a porter. At least there is a date on the bottom right of the label. As the beer warms up a bit the roasted malts starts show itself some more. I'm not the biggest Leinenkugel fan around town but I can see myself getting cozy around the fireplace during a cold winter night with a 6 pack of this beer with an assortment of nuts to pair with it. Cheers! B-
May 14, 2019
3.4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
The vanilla is faint in the taste & the body is not thick enough for a porter. At least there is a date on the bottom right of the label. As the beer warms up a bit the roasted malts starts show itself some more. I'm not the biggest Leinenkugel fan around town but I can see myself getting cozy around the fireplace during a cold winter night with a 6 pack of this beer with an assortment of nuts to pair with it. Cheers! B-
May 14, 2019
German-Helles from Wisconsin
3.74/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is a 12oz. bottle I poured into a 20 oz. weizen glass. It started out with two fingers of a rich looking creamy head of foam that settled to a thin layer with no lacing on the side of the glass. The beer is a dark as cola color with a steady stream of bubbles.
The smell is mostly a sweet chocolate and a touch of coffee.
The taste is coffee, sweet cocoa, and a bit of alcohol, a candy for adults! It finishes a little dry, maybe the coffee does this.
The feel is cream, smooth, a very pleasant feel.
It is a nice winter warmer, the alcohol is not overpowering,, but for me just right. This one hits the spot, a dessert/nightcap!
Mar 21, 2019
3.74/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is a 12oz. bottle I poured into a 20 oz. weizen glass. It started out with two fingers of a rich looking creamy head of foam that settled to a thin layer with no lacing on the side of the glass. The beer is a dark as cola color with a steady stream of bubbles.
The smell is mostly a sweet chocolate and a touch of coffee.
The taste is coffee, sweet cocoa, and a bit of alcohol, a candy for adults! It finishes a little dry, maybe the coffee does this.
The feel is cream, smooth, a very pleasant feel.
It is a nice winter warmer, the alcohol is not overpowering,, but for me just right. This one hits the spot, a dessert/nightcap!
Mar 21, 2019
jkblr from Indiana
3.4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle bb 3/25/19 poured into a vintage pokal glass at fridge temp 6% ABV. The beer pours bright light to medium brown in color with ruby highlights and mocha colored head. The head recedes to a thin cap and leaves a little lacing. The aroma is minimal with a hint of vanilla and some tangy dark malt. The taste is slight cocoa powder and tang at first working into a mildly bitter coffee finish with a touch of vanilla and a tangy aftertaste. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, okay. Too much of the sharp tangy presence for my taste and not enough other flavors or complexity to score higher. Edit: this beer smoothes out a little as it approaches room temperature and becomes a little more enjoyable.
Feb 20, 2019
3.4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle bb 3/25/19 poured into a vintage pokal glass at fridge temp 6% ABV. The beer pours bright light to medium brown in color with ruby highlights and mocha colored head. The head recedes to a thin cap and leaves a little lacing. The aroma is minimal with a hint of vanilla and some tangy dark malt. The taste is slight cocoa powder and tang at first working into a mildly bitter coffee finish with a touch of vanilla and a tangy aftertaste. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, okay. Too much of the sharp tangy presence for my taste and not enough other flavors or complexity to score higher. Edit: this beer smoothes out a little as it approaches room temperature and becomes a little more enjoyable.
Feb 20, 2019
ZenAgnostic from Texas
3.51/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into Duvel tulip. FEB2519 printed in yellow on neck. Presumably the best by date, so it has about a month or two of freshness left in it. Got it from the grocery store as part of a $10 sixer mixer. This is supposed to be a twist off but I had to use a bottle opener because the cap was stuck. There was some sticky residue of beer around the cap area, so it was probably glued shut by some beer.
Appearance - Clear dark brown body, with surprisingly little redness to it. A very flat brown tone. Small medium brown head with low retention and decent stick. 4
Smell - Nutty. Coffee and soy sauce. 3
Taste - Bitter black coffee and some soy sauce. Noticeable alcohol, despite only being 6%. 3.75
Mouthfeel - A bit harsh on the mouth. 3.5
Overall - A little too strong/sharp. Mostly alcoholic or chemical, and very little balancing factor to round it out. 3.5
Jan 05, 2019
3.51/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into Duvel tulip. FEB2519 printed in yellow on neck. Presumably the best by date, so it has about a month or two of freshness left in it. Got it from the grocery store as part of a $10 sixer mixer. This is supposed to be a twist off but I had to use a bottle opener because the cap was stuck. There was some sticky residue of beer around the cap area, so it was probably glued shut by some beer.
Appearance - Clear dark brown body, with surprisingly little redness to it. A very flat brown tone. Small medium brown head with low retention and decent stick. 4
Smell - Nutty. Coffee and soy sauce. 3
Taste - Bitter black coffee and some soy sauce. Noticeable alcohol, despite only being 6%. 3.75
Mouthfeel - A bit harsh on the mouth. 3.5
Overall - A little too strong/sharp. Mostly alcoholic or chemical, and very little balancing factor to round it out. 3.5
Jan 05, 2019
PMakowski from New Hampshire
3.81/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 Oz Bottle poured into glass
Look - Dark brown almost like cola, very little head and some minor lacing. Not very great looking for the style.
Smell - pick up the vanilla right away. It's not super aromatic but there's some roasted malts and sweet cream
Taste - Rich, roasted malts dominate. Vanilla is calmly in the background which is actually good, I don't want a vanilla beer. Somewhat bitter finish with a bit of hops. Some hints of dark chocolate. Body is medium and carbonation is medium. As it warms a bit of winter spices kick in.
Overall, it has lots of flavor and it's fairly drinkable. Not the best and not the worst Porter. It's certainly different than most and i will give a grade of B+
Jan 04, 2019
3.81/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 Oz Bottle poured into glass
Look - Dark brown almost like cola, very little head and some minor lacing. Not very great looking for the style.
Smell - pick up the vanilla right away. It's not super aromatic but there's some roasted malts and sweet cream
Taste - Rich, roasted malts dominate. Vanilla is calmly in the background which is actually good, I don't want a vanilla beer. Somewhat bitter finish with a bit of hops. Some hints of dark chocolate. Body is medium and carbonation is medium. As it warms a bit of winter spices kick in.
Overall, it has lots of flavor and it's fairly drinkable. Not the best and not the worst Porter. It's certainly different than most and i will give a grade of B+
Jan 04, 2019
izraelc from New York
3.57/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A dark Leinenkugel beer seems like an oxymoron but this one is better than expected. Dark as night pour. Weak aroma. But a nice clean porter with a good sweet vanilla finish. Not too malty so goes down smooth.
Dec 23, 2018
3.57/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A dark Leinenkugel beer seems like an oxymoron but this one is better than expected. Dark as night pour. Weak aroma. But a nice clean porter with a good sweet vanilla finish. Not too malty so goes down smooth.
Dec 23, 2018
OhioBeerFan from Ohio
3.49/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a pretty good tasting porter, one of Leinenkugel's better brews. It does have a thin, almost watery mouthfeel, but beyond that the vanilla aromas are just heart warming for the winter woes.
Dec 09, 2018
3.49/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a pretty good tasting porter, one of Leinenkugel's better brews. It does have a thin, almost watery mouthfeel, but beyond that the vanilla aromas are just heart warming for the winter woes.
Dec 09, 2018
wl2bill from Wisconsin
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer is a seasonal regular, like fall turning to winter. I get At least a 12pk every year, enjoy with family and friends, and save a couple to enjoy in the summer. Nothing outstanding just enjoyable and straight forward.
Dec 07, 2018
3.5/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer is a seasonal regular, like fall turning to winter. I get At least a 12pk every year, enjoy with family and friends, and save a couple to enjoy in the summer. Nothing outstanding just enjoyable and straight forward.
Dec 07, 2018
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
1939 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close