Tioga-Sequoia Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter
Brewed by: Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.
Beer Classification and Specs
- Style: Porter
- Variation: Cocoa, Vanilla
- Seasonal: No
- ABV: 5.5%
- IBU: 38
Brewer’s Notes and Ingredients
Sugar Pine is a robust American porter flavored with organic cacao nibs and Madagascar vanilla beans. Chocolate and roasted malts are the backbone of this beer and compliment the vanilla and cocoa flavors perfectly. Our porter captures the essence of a dark craft beer you’ll love to enjoy by a campfire or with dessert. Cheers!
Hops: N/A
Malts: Chocolate and roasted malts
Additional: Organic cacao nibs, Madagascar vanilla beans
More Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter Images
First Impressions
Artwork: A large sugar pine cone.
Color: Pitch black.
Aroma: Malt and grains with cocoa.
The Tasting
Arrived in: 22oz. Bottle
Served in: Stemless Wine Glass
When you buy a beer that advertises appealing flavors like cocoa and vanilla, you end up being disappointed if those flavors aren’t there. Luckily Tioga-Sequoia Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter did not suffer from that problem, with both the cocoa and vanilla ever-present throughout.
This pitch black ale poured a tall, voluptuous tan head. Its large fluffy cap eventually collapsed, and left behind an even coating of froth that lent an extra creaminess to this already smooth, thicker bodied ale.
Once its head died down we could finally waft Sugar Pine’s aroma, which was like a malty hot chocolate. The roasted malt was evenly matched with dark chocolate, and helped set the tone for this robust, desserty porter.
Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter showcased vanilla up front, followed by deep cocoa, and a lingering dark roast for the finish. The additives in this beer were subtle, and not too heavy handed. In other words, the toasted malts you expect to find in a porter still shined through, just with a little extra tasty help.
Sugar Pine Porter’s smooth, velvety body was like something you would find in an imperial stout. Yet the beer remained surprisingly sessionable for a dark ale.
Final Score: 4/5
Tioga-Sequoia Sugar Pine Cocoa-Vanilla Porter was an easy drinking dessert beer that left plenty of room for a second helping. The porter’s decadent blend of vanilla and cocoa did not detract from its dark roasted malty base, and only enhanced the flavor.