Roebling Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter is an American Porter brewed by Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House, and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a nonic pint glass from a bottle.
Appearance
The Porter pours a mahogany hue and is topped by a thick cap of tan-colored foam. The retention is short-lived and doesn’t leave behind any lace or residue.
Aroma
The roasted aroma has a slight sweetness to it that makes it smell like soy sauce.
Flavor
Hints of chocolate and raisin mix with brown bread and transition to a more pronounced flavor of coffee roast, soy sauce, and mild floral hops. More chocolate, dark fruit, and a hint of vanilla round out the finish.
Mouthfeel
Its feel is relatively smooth with a medium body and moderate carbonation. Finishes dryly.
Overall
The Roebling has a nice balance but the slight taste and smell of soy sauce are off-putting. Adequate presentation and feel. A relatively high ABV is masked well. Palatable but far from great.
The Roebling Vanilla Espresso Porter was revisited and this review was updated on March 6, 2018. The Porter was originally scored a 3.0 but has been downgraded to a 2.5.