Old Dominion Winter Brew 2003 (Polish Porter)

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Dark black color. Medium head. Aroma is roasted malts, coffee and dark fruits. A medium bodied Baltic Porter. Malts are nutty, roasted malts and dark fruits. Hops are spicy. Very smooth tasting, well balanced Baltic porter. Nice sweet fruity flavors are balanced by the roastyness of the malts and the spiciness of the hops. Finishes very well, with a nice lingering fruit sweetness. Its kind of surprising to see a Baltic Porter as a winter ale, but I like the idea and this beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Stopped by the brewpub for a pint, on the way home from National Conference Center. Pours very dark reddish brown, like Van Dyke brown. Darkest head I've ever seen, more brown than tan. Large, rocky foam, fairly long lasting. Spicy gingerbread background in the nose, and a bit of a peppery spice on the tounge. Sweetish, effervescent mouthfeel leads to a warming, licorice aftertaste. Big winter time brews like this are worth the wait!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

This Baltic Porter pours with a dark brown body topped by a huge, lt. brown head with some lacing left behind. The aroma is slightly bitter and malty with a roasty note, a slight sweetness and a little graininess. The flavor is sweet, roasty and malty with a slight sourness and bitterness, and a touch of smoke. Full bodied and smooth.