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Best Stouts & Best Porters
Reviews for 2018

December 2018 - Best Stouts & Best Porters

December 2018 - Best Stouts & Best Porters
This month's Beer feature is Best Stout, Best Porter & Hard Soda Shootout

Best Stouts & Best Porters Reviews

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New Holland Brewing Co. Dragons Milk Stout
94 points
New Holland Brewing Co.
Dragon's Milk Stout
Dark brown color. Aromas of vanilla fondant, praline, almond croissant, and bit-o-honey with a velvety, crisp, spritzy, sweet full body and a warming, subtle, medium-long cherry flesh and stone, toasted banana bread, sweet corn cakes with black pepper, and bourbon finish. A mellow, creamy Barrel Aged Imperial Stout that is super drinkable; an excellent winter warmer.
94 points
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Date Tasted:
North Coast Brewing Co. Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
94 points
North Coast Brewing Co.
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
Ebony color. Hoppy aromas of toasted rice, tangerine, herb butter, and dried mango with a round, vibrant, effervescent, fruity full body and a warming, elegant, long cocoa powder, roasted cherry, whipped cream, lemon pepper, dried fruit, and curry finish. A craveable hoppy Imperial stout that is superbly balanced.
94 points
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Date Tasted:
Island Brewing Company Starry Night Stout
93 points
Island Brewing Company
Starry Night Stout
Ebony color. Aromas of german chocolate cake, leather, banana muffins, and clove with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, fruity medium-full body and a warming, captivating, medium-long old-fashioned coffee, blackened herbs, salted caramel, and black toast finish. A bold and brawny export stout that offers fruit-laced, rich flavors.
93 points
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Date Tasted:
City Lights Brewing Co. Coconut Porter
92 points
City Lights Brewing Co.
Coconut Porter
Walnut color. Confected aromas of mounds bar, snickerdoodle cookies, hazelnut cappuccino, and highlander grog with a satiny, vibrant, spritzy, fruity medium-to-full body and an even, quick seven layer bar, fried ice cream shell, toasted coconut syrup, and roasted almonds finish. A sweet and flavorful coconut porter that makes for a fun twist on favorite style.
Awards: 2018 Best Flavored Porter
92 points
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Date Tasted:
Binary Brewing Co. Motherboard Milk Stout
90 points
Binary Brewing Co.
Motherboard Milk Stout
Walnut color. Attractive aromas of toasted zucchini bread, coffee beans, freshly baked baguette, and hot fudge with a round, crisp, effervescent, fruity medium-full body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long banana muffins, spiced pecan, candied figs, and fruit cake crumble finish. A very tasty stout that will make for a great nightcap.
Awards: 2018 Best Sweet Stout
90 points
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Date Tasted:
New Holland Brewing Co. Dragons Milk Reserve Banana Coconut Stout
89 points
New Holland Brewing Co.
Dragon's Milk Reserve Banana Coconut Stout
Brown black color. Sweet aromas of banana yogurt, fig bar and leather conditioner with a velvety, crisp, effervescent, sweet medium body and an effortless, compelling, medium-length chocolate taffy, raspberry creme cookies, peach tea, and honey finish. A crowd-pleasing, smooth-sipping, fruity stout.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Vancouver Island Brewing Mocha Export Stout
89 points
Vancouver Island Brewing
Mocha Export Stout
Ebony color. Roasted aromas of char-roasted coffee beans, frosted danish, hazelnut spread, and genache with a satiny, crisp, effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an interesting, medium-length pine resin finish. A rich and toasty coffee stout to buzz about.
Awards: 2018 Best Flavored Stout
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Binary Brewing Co. CTRL-ALT-DEL Dry Stout
88 points
Binary Brewing Co.
CTRL-ALT-DEL Dry Stout
Mahogany color. Aromas of coffee with cream, cherry essenced whipped topping, and fudge covered molasses cookie with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a cheery focaccia, sassafras, and black tea finish. A bright stout with table-tuned acidity.
88 points
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Date Tasted:
Amelia Island Brewing Co. Laura Joe Coffee Porter
87 points
Amelia Island Brewing Co.
Laura Joe Coffee Porter
Light mahogany color. Roasted aromas of drip coffee, chocolate croissant, and mixed nut danish with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, relaxed chocolate covered espresso bean, whole wheat scone, and tea leaves finish. A coffee-flavored stout with a natural bitter-coffee appeal that drinks effortlessly.
87 points
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Date Tasted:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
87 points
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Mahogany color. Aromas of cinnamon-raisin, elderflower, pumpernickel bread pudding, bombolone, and herb butter with a satiny, crisp, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a graceful, interesting, medium-length grilled nuts, slightly charred cinnamon roll, chocolate malt, and cola finish. A palate-pleasing traditional porter with a dry, chocolatey appeal.
87 points
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Date Tasted:
Pearl Street Brewery Smokin Hemp Porter
87 points
Pearl Street Brewery
Smokin' Hemp Porter
Walnut color. Aromas of lapsang suchong, char-roasted cashews, and petit jambon de paris with a slightly chewy, crisp, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a medium-length cream, water crackers with smoked brie, minerals, and earth finish. A never-heavy smoked beer that opens up a lot of interesting pairing possibilities.
87 points
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Date Tasted:
Vancouver Island Brewing Raspberry Export Stout
87 points
Vancouver Island Brewing
Raspberry Export Stout
Dark walnut color. Aromas of chocolate covered raspberries, cedar shavings, and mint tea with a satiny, crisp, effervescent, moderately sweet medium body and an even, intriguing, medium-length fruit punch, grape soda, chocolate covered espresso bean, and acai finish. A sweet, berry inflected stout to serve well-chilled.
87 points
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Date Tasted:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Ohio City Oatmeal Stout
86 points
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Ohio City Oatmeal Stout
Mahogany color. Aromas of paprika, charred meats, and cracked pepper with a slightly chewy, vibrant, effervescent, dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, interesting, long steel cut oats, moist tobacco, soy sauce, baking chocolate, crystallized orange peel, and cinnamon finish. A dry, chewy stout that is rustic and table-friendly.
86 points
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Date Tasted:
Lift Bridge Beer Company Gray Duck Goose Island Collabeeration Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter
86 points
Lift Bridge Beer Company
Gray Duck Goose Island Collabeeration Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter
Mahogany color. Aromas of kvass, zur starter, and dill with a satiny, vibrant, spritzy, dryish medium-to-full body and a tingling, delightful, medium-length carob, walnut, parsnip, and European butter finish. A tangy Baltic porter that will make an nice pairing to eastern European fare.
86 points
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Date Tasted:
Pagosa Brewing Company Caramel Stout
86 points
Pagosa Brewing Company
Caramel Stout
Ebony color. Fruity aromas of dried blueberry, chocolate-orange, fresh flapjacks, and spiced tea with a chewy, bright, effervescent, very sweet light-to-medium body and a tingling, medium-length apple compote, blackberry, charred nuts, spiced pears, and tres leches cake finish. A toasty, fruit-forward stout with a sweet sensibility.
86 points
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Date Tasted:
Quaff On Brewing Busted Knuckle Porter
85 points
Quaff On Brewing
Busted Knuckle Porter
Mahogany color. Nutty aromas of almond nougat, chocolate coated marzipan, jamón, dijon, and sea sponge with a silky, prickly, spritzy, dryish light-to-medium body and a warming, cheery cola, black toast, and chocolate covered raisin finish. A nice dry, light bodied porter; good for a long session.
85 points
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Date Tasted:
RavenBeer The Imp and the Madhouse Oyster Stout
85 points
RavenBeer
The Imp and the Madhouse Oyster Stout
Mahogany color. Aromas of fresh baguette and tiramisu with a velvety, crisp, spritzy, dryish medium-to-full body and a seamless, charming, medium-long salted butter, crispy bread bowl, roasted potato skins, and balsamic reduction on Triscuit finish. A satisfying, chewy stout with a salty edge.
85 points
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Date Tasted:
Amelia Island Brewing Co. SmKn Mrtha Smoked Porter
84 points
Amelia Island Brewing Co.
Sm'Kn M'rtha Smoked Porter
Light mahogany color. Roasted aromas of coffee shop, coffee yogurt, and kelp with a supple, bright, effervescent, light body and a sleek, brisk cream soda, cascara, prune, and diner coffee finish. A light porter for an anytime pick-me-up.
84 points
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Date Tasted:
Revival Brewing Co. White Electric Nitro Coffee Stout
84 points
Revival Brewing Co.
White Electric Nitro Coffee Stout
Ebony color. Aromas and flavors of tootsie roll, roasted bell peppers, grilled plantain, and pickling spices with a satiny, soft, dry medium body and a warming, brisk finish that presents accents of charred nut shells, whey, and cocoa powder finish. A mild and uncomplicated stout with a rustic side.
84 points
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Date Tasted:
The Herkimer Pub & Brewery Lift Kit Milk Stout
83 points
The Herkimer Pub & Brewery
Lift Kit Milk Stout
Mahogany color. Smoky aromas of roasted red pepper, chipotle aioli, and roasted veggies with a silky, crisp, spritzy, dryish medium body and a smooth, breezy coffee syrup, cola, charred nuts, and coco puffs finish. A smoky stout that walks on the wild side.
83 points
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Date Tasted:
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