Campout Porter is an American Porter that’s brewed in collaboration between American icon Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and New Zealand’s own Garage Project. For the purposes of this craft beer review, the porter was served in a tulip pint glass from a bottle.
Appearance
The porter pours a very dark brown but shows amber red at its edges. The ale is capped by an inch-thick head of cream-colored foam that retains well. Sticky patches of lace cling to the glass.
Aroma
A sweet aroma of vanilla is backed by a smoky roast. Nut and honey also appear as the beer warms.
Flavor
A quintet of malts provides flavors of roast, cocoa, and smoky wood. The New Zealand hop varietal Southern Cross provides balance with a mild bitterness of lemon. The finish is dry with a taste of coffee roast and a dark chocolaty sweetness that lingers on the back of the tongue. A relatively high ABV is masked well.
Mouthfeel
Mouthfeel has a medium body and less-than-moderate carbonation. The result is a relatively creamy feel.
Overall
The Campout Porter is thoroughly enjoyable and its pleasing malt character is balanced nicely with roast and hops. This brew is part of the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across the World collection, and though it isn’t as unique as some, it is very well made.