Black Crown Robusto and Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter: Pairing

The Porter

Leinenkugels Snowdrift Vanilla Porter

Leinie.com

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA

6% abv

“Complex Malt Character Reveals Layers of Coffee and Cocoa” – on the bottle

Appearance: a nice tan head sits on top of an almost coffee like colored body with some cola edges.  Note much on the lacing.  The head was gone before I noticed it was gone.  When I poured my second glass I had a nice two finger head that took about three minutes to dissipate and it left a thin tan layer sitting on top.   

Aroma: coffee with a roasted vanilla bean

Flavors: pretty much what they have on the label. This is what I say, ‘sweetened coffee and semi-sweet chocolate with a dose of vanilla bean. 

Mouthfeel: light-moderate bitterness, toasted sweet malts, good body weight for a porter, a lingering semi-sweet chocolate note on the finish

To the Point: I have to admit that I did not have much hope for this one.  But, I like it.  I enjoyed a couple sitting by the campfire the other week.  And two is about all I can take of this Porter because I start to grow tired of the sweetness.    

Thinking of that sweetness … I know what could help battle it … the right cigar.

The Cigar

Black Crown Robusto Cigar

Wrapper: Honduran Habano

Binders: yes, two: Honduran Habano and Nicaraguan Ligero

Fillers: Seven different long filler from Central America

Size: 5 x 50

Click here to read my last review of this cigar.

For dinner tonight I had a mushroom/swiss brat with southern style beans and southern style potato salad.  I then selected this beer for doing a review and halfway through the beer I thought of this cigar for the pairing. 

This cigar has a nice spicy style mixed with a forest floor earthiness and a French Roast Coffee note.  I did not think this cigar was a spicy or full off the light like the last review but, I had been drinking this Vanilla Porter beforehand and that could have taken the edge off the flavor profile. 

What I am hoping for is this cigar to take the edge off of this sweet Vanilla Porter. 

I think the sweet coffee note of the Porter is mixing with the French Roast Coffee style of the cigar and giving a little balance here.  The earthy forest floor tones of the cigar are helping to give the Porter a little more body and I think the vanilla bean note, in the ale, is a little more distinct.  The light-moderate bitterness of the Porter still seems the same. 

I have to say that I am really enjoying this pairing.  

Pinar del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Torpedo and Red Hoptober Ale: Pairing

The Ale

Red Hoptober Ale

Fall Seasonal

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

6% abv

22 oz bottle

$3.99

Appearance: plain and simple to me … it looks like root beer soda – a dark caramelized body in color with a tan two finger head.  Holding it up to the light the mahogany shines through. 

Aroma: light citrusy hoppy nose with some toasted grains in the mix

Flavors: white grapefruit meat (it’s under control), toasted light rye, lightly roasted caramel, herbal? Or sea grass? From the hops on the back, 

Mouthfeel: decent carbonation; light hoppy notes tantalize the tongue; toasted grains and a light roasted caramel help to balance things out; a moderate aftertaste;

To the Point: I have only had one bottle so far but, I am willing to buy more.  It is tasty.  Exceptional … I am not ready to go there yet … “very good” sure.  Not harsh or heavy on the palate.  Worthy of a try.  Understand that it is a red amber ale with some Cetennial, Cascade and Eldorado hops.  The light-moderate bitterness with a touch of sweetness should satisfy most specialty beer drinkers.  

The Cigar

Pinar del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Torpedo

 

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade from Ecuador

Fillers: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Size:6.5 x 52

Taste Profile: this cigar sports a nice oaky profile with a mild coffee note, lightly toasted grains and dry summer soil. 

To the Point: I like stick.  The price point is right (inexpensive) and it has a taste profile that hits my palate.  I have not smoked one in quite a while and this reminds me that I should smoke the Pinar del Rio Classico a little more frequently. 

The Pairing

After a few sips of the Ale I said to myself, let’s do a mild-medium smoke with a little oaky profile to the taste and this looked like a winner. 

This ended up being a good pairing.  The oaky profile and mild-medium body of the cigar mixed well with the Ales light hoppy-ness.  I think a cigar with a peppery profile might bring out the bitterness in the Ale.  

La Sirena King Poseidon and Old Crafty Hen: Pairing

Around the World with King Poseidon

The Ale

“Old Crafty Hen”

Vintage Ale

Morland Brewing

England

1pt .9oz bottle

$4.49 a bottle

6.5% abv

I read that this ale has been brewed since 2008 but, just came to the United States in November of 2011.  I wonder if they still brew “Hen’s Tooth”.  I really liked that ale. 

Appearance: rich copper body with a light tan one finger (if that) head

Aroma: malt focused; caramel, biscuit, and dark fruits

Flavors: lightly toasted caramel, raisin, a little plum skin, apple, light woody tone, to me the alcohol does not play a role in the flavor

Mouthfeel: light carbonation, smooth, mild hop bitterness on the finish giving it a semi-dry feel on the palate.

To the Point: a very tasty Vintage Ale.  I would buy this again. 

The Cigar

La Sirena King Poseidon

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: two Cuban seed Nicaraguan tobacco

Fillers: Nicaraguan Criollo 98 and Corojo 96

Size: 6x 60 

I just reviewed this cigar last week with a very good tawny port (click here to see post) so; tonight I am going to pair it with a good English Ale.  I smoked another King Poseidon just the other day and really enjoyed it.  Earlier today I reviewed the “Old Crafty Hen” and I think these two should pair up really well. 

Off the Light: tonight I get a nice robust dark roasted coffee note greets my palate on the first few puffs.   As the smoke continues there is a rich composted earth tone with some woody notes that develops with a hint of spice.  The dark roasted coffee note really seems to dominate.  The cigar holds a good gray ash with little to no flaking. 

The Pairing: The coffee like profile of the cigar mingles well with the lightly toasted caramel and dark fruit notes of this English Ale.  Both of these products have a light woody tone and during this pairing an oaky note seems to stand out. 

Second Half of the Cigar: full bodied dark roasted coffee and earthy tones dominate with a measure of oak and a white and green peppercorn blend in the mix.  This is a smooth and full bodied experience.  It does not seem to be the most complex smoke, but for my palate it sure is tasty.

The Pairing: this ale really seems to be mellow and it helps to mellow out this full bodied smoke.  On the second half of this smoke the spice profile picks up a bit and a sip of the ale just refreshes the palate making me want another puff of the cigar.  This is a really nice ale to have with a full bodied cigar. 

Around the World with King Poseidon Series

Click here to read about this cigar paired with:

Brux

20 year old Port

Baco Noir Wine