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.