Sugary chocolate presence and smooth grain rush provide decent up-front assertion. However, lack of mocha malt penetration and syrupy yeast thew hurts this caramel porter. Too reliant on thin maple finish and lightweight water texture for its broadened class.
All posts by John Fortunato
SARANAC LAGER
Toasted barleymalt sweetness highlights rice-y follow-through and buttery creaminess reminiscent of Sleeman’s (but not as well-defined). Suffers from same ‘clear bottle syndrome’ Miller and Corona do, remaining basic, second rate, and worse, cloying.
SARANAC INDIA PALE ALE
Light watery variant (closer to slimly hopped pale ale) missing strong spiced-fruited bitterness and/or smoked wood ascent – usual IPA components. Disturbing phenolic nut char, skimpy banana taffy illusion and dank alcohol finish further deplete indistinct fink.
SARANAC AMERICAN INDIA PALE ALE
Sparse moderate-bodied amber-cleared IPA disguises 8.5% alcohol volume well, as rounded red-fruited opening lingers above spicy pine-sapped hop fade. Subordinate lemon rind bittering counters juicy red apple ripeness, apricot-tangerine tang and minty herbaceous twang. On second tasting, orange-soured apple-candied grapefruit bitterness and mild white bread toasting lacked some aggression.
SARANAC HEFEWEIZEN
Smooth unfiltered German-style wheat ale softens up-front banana dominance with sweet yeast influence, spicy clove insistence, and teasing herbal resonance. Durable overripe banana finish embittered nicely by frisky lemon peeled hop stead. 2011 version upped the banana sweetness and deepened the cardamom-coriander-clove spicing.
SARANAC GROWLER BLACK & TAN
Short-lived purple hazy stout lager retains powdery chocolate sweetness as roasted overtones and maple sap thicken sugary molasses finish. Unobtrusive hop bitterness firmly anchors creamy coffee-laden resolve.
SARANAC GOLDEN PILSNER
Wheat-based pilsner lacks punch. Mild fruity hop essence initially half-pleasant, but not nearly as distinct and firm as it should be.
SARANAC E.S.B.
Parched caramelized malts lie atop bitter hop canopy darkened by dry floral spicing and miniscule tart fruiting. But clean mountain water consistency can’t save phenol finish from diluted astringency.
SARANAC CHOCOLATE AMBER
From the beautiful Adirondack Springs comes this slowly aged cold winter refresher. Aromatic chocolate malts and smoked grains obstructed by deflective carbolic fizz blocking full-bodied nature. Bet it’s a 4 star winner on tap since bottled versions of Saranac ales lose more character (especially maple and yeast) than most other brews.
SARANAC CARAMEL PORTER
Nearly as robust as label indicates, creamy porter features dark caramel, toffee, and overripe cherry notes atop roasted barleymalts. Shades of mocha bitterness seep through chocolate-maple-brown sugar sweetness as toasted hops accentuate lively bittersweet finish. Try in lieu of Sugar Daddy candy bar.
SARANAC BLACK FOREST BAVARIAN SCHWARZBIER
Sweet-scented creamy-headed tawny Bavarian knockoff brings spiced-hop bittering to acrid lemon zest. Dirty grain finish disintegrates caramel malt underling and distant maple illusion. Decent choice for novices ready to appreciate gentle German-styled brew, but too inefficient for the rest.
SARANAC BLACK DIAMOND BOCK
Lackluster amber-hued moderate-bodied dark lager with ambiguous bock traits allows solvent phenol hops to detract dryly washed-out cocoa-molasses backslide, refracted brown-sugared fig-plum sedation, and lemon-tinged moldy orange souring. Resinous chocolate-covered hazelnut-pecan astringency gets cardboard-y.