[BW] Beer Blog

Brewery: Oregon Trail Brewery
Style: Porter
BeerAdvocate.com Rating: B (Community)
RateBeer.com Rating: 3.68 (93rd percentile)
Serving: 22oz Bottle

It has been entirely too long since my last post, so to make up for my absence I am reviewing a beer that I’ve wanted to try for quite some time. The Oregon Trail Brewery is a small, local brewery in Corvallis, Oregon mostly notable for their Wit. However, they also brew a slew of other beers and one just happens to be a bourbon porter.

The bottle itself is dipped in red wax and a price tag (almost $12) that easily scares off the weak of heart. I’m not intimidated though, as I love huge porters and stouts. From their site:

Oregon Trail Bourbon Barrel Porter is as big as the West, masterfully brewed in the true pioneer spirit. This robust porter is aged in Kentucky oak bourbon barrels. The result is a pitch-black brew, rich with oaky smoothness, bold bourbonesque aroma, with hints of fruit and vanilla.

Sounds delicious. Let’s find out!

Appearance - While not absolutely pitch black as advertised, not much light gets through this one. One can easily tell that it’s clearly a porter and not a stout. A couple fingers worth of tan head also appear upon pouring.

Smell - I smelled bourbon the second I popped the cap. Upon getting my nose in there, I was bombarded with a whole ton more of bourbon. I’ve had bourbon-inspired beers before, but none greet you like this one. Behind the bourbon is a little bit of vanilla tagging along for the ride.

Taste - This beer is exactly what it says it is. This is no ordinary porter by any means. The bourbon taste is immediately apparent, as is the vanilla. Only after the initial taste dissipates are you reminded that this is a porter. I have to say that I expected this to be a porter first and not the other way around, but Oregon Trail made an incredibly delicious and unique brew. Take your time with this one too as the 11% abv will knock you on your butt.

I highly recommend getting your hands on this if you can.

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Brewery: Coeur d’Alene
Style: Maibock
BeerAdvocate.com Rating: C+ (Community)
RateBeer.com Rating: 3.16
Serving: On Tap

First of all, I’m back! It’s been entirely too long since my last post and I apologize. Now that the busiest time of the year is wrapping up, I’ll once again have plenty of time to review new beers. I’m also excited because in 5 days from now I move back to the Portland area. This means exponentially more beer for me and a lot more interesting reviews for all of you.

Today’s review is yet another brew from Coeur d’Alene. I figured this is my last weekend in Pullman for the next three months, so I might as well hit up the Ale House one last time. I hadn’t been there in a while and was pleasantly surprised to see that they have a seasonal maibock.

Appearance - Dark copper color with a healthy amount of white head. Looks like a pretty standard maibock. Think maybe a tad darker than how Dead Guy pours.

Smell - Smells like a typical maibock as well. Pretty standard mixture of flowery hops and caramel-type malts.

Taste - I have to say this tastes like a typical maibock as well, but with a more pronounced alcohol taste. From what I’ve read, this brew is only supposed to be about 7% ABV, but mine tasted closer to 8.5-9%. Perhaps this year’s batch is just boozier.

Either way, this is a fairly typical maibock that will hit the spot of that’s what you’re craving. If you want something completely unique, perhaps try elsewhere. At the very least, this will please you if you’re craving a Dead Guy.

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