Comments on: Atwater Block Brewery – Vanilla Java Porter Review

By: Scott-TheBrewClub

Scott-TheBrewClub — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:57:45 +0000

@Adam – I wish I could have phased it like that! Exactly. From what I remember, this beer seemed to lack identity. Writing checks that it couldn’t cash so-to-speak.

Great comment and thanks for stopping in!

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:32:21 +0000

I whole-heartedly agree. With the potent combination of flavors and the classification of a porter, I expected a significantly more robust taste and was disappointed by a beer that seemed unable to commit to anything, really. I personally define a porter as a dark robust beer with roasted malt overtones but a hint of hopiness that stouts lack, culminating in a complex taste. While this beer seemed to suggest further complexity with vanilla and coffee, it offered what seemed like a non-committal taste at the fore front that taped off into relative obscurity in its after-taste.

By: Andy@BeeraDay.net

Andy@BeeraDay.net — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:24:28 +0000

Reading your review reminded me of the high hopes I had the day I found this beer last winter. I loved the idea of this flavor combination, but I suffered the same disapointment. Probably took me a full month to drink the entire six pack! (I bought it just outside of Boston, MA.)

By: Bob the Brit

Bob the Brit — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:11:33 +0000

Looking back on some of the reviews I’ve done for The Brewclub recently I’ve noticed a preponderance of dark chocolatey beers, so a hint of vanilla would probably go down quite well.

And as for the German brewing kit, surely all you need for lagering in some large tanks in a cool dark place?
.-= Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Roundabouts =-.

By: Simply Beer

Simply Beer — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:43:20 +0000

I’ve been thinking about joining a beer of the month club again. I used to do it about 10 years ago. Loved the beers I was getting, but they get so expensive. I would love a beer of the month club that sent you 6 different beers in a 12pk. My ideal…

I’ve tended to stay away from the vanilla induced beers they tend to go overboard on the vanilla, but maybe I should try some more. I do love the subtle vanilla notes you get from oak aging, but that seems to have a different vanilla flavor then adding beans or extract to brews.
.-= Simply Beer´s last blog ..Avery The Beast Grand Cru =-.

By: Scott-TheBrewClub

Scott-TheBrewClub — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:29:49 +0000

@Gregg Prince, thanks for stopping in! We hope you return from time to time and share your thoughts with the class! One of the things I love about beer is two people can try the same exact thing and have two different reactions – like you mentioned. Its all personal really. We try not to go too far down the ‘scientific’ and methodical road when we review here. I have a beer, and put my thoughts out there for the world to agree or disagree, or ignore – and its been a fun trip so far!

@nate – that’s right. This beer was far from awful, its just that I’ve had much better. Sometimes it very hard to review a beer in a vacuum like its the only beer on earth, its tough to not compare it to others that have been tried. Still, I do my best to give every beer a fair shake and offer my honest opinion. Interesting comments on the imported brew-house.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Lindemans Framboise Raspberry Lambic =-.

By: nate

nate — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:18:50 +0000

Sorry to post again, but the more I think about the “german brewhouse” I must assume that they have an advantage over other breweries in Lagering beer…although from research I’ve done, it’s available stateside.
.-= nate´s last blog ..A Gift Fit For A Beer Geek… =-.

By: nate

nate — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:17:01 +0000

It’s funny…it’s brewed in Detroit, but I cannot get it 45 miles south in Toledo. When i make it up to Michigan, I’ll pick it up. I tried Atwater’s Voodoovator and thought it was very good. I am not huge on coffee beer, but I always like to give different brews a try.

As for your second to last paragraph, I get it! Just because a beer gets a low rating doesn’t mean it’s disgusting, right? How could anyone differentiate between the decent and the superb if everything got a 4 star rating?

As far as the imported german brewhouse… I am FAR from an expert, but even if it is a rarity, judging by the pics it’s more hype than anything.
.-= nate´s last blog ..A Gift Fit For A Beer Geek… =-.

By: Gregg Prince

Gregg Prince — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:59:55 +0000

This is the 2nd time I’ve received the Atwater Vanilla Java Porter in my Beer of the Month and it has become one of my favorite beers; definitely my favorite that I’ve ever received from the club. I’m not intending to contradict your review, just pointing out how different people’s tastes are. I find the vanilla flavor very pleasant and truly enjoy the coffee finish. I think your description is pretty much spot-on of how it drinks, our reactions to it are just different. Great review and nice site BTW; found you through a post from OnlyBeerNews on twitter.