Try?
Time was, a brewery had a steady staple of beers that it produced, with perhaps the odd seasonal beer, and that was that. Times change, though, and many brewers have decided to cash in on the fickle nature of their clientele by releasing a “specialty” series of one-off brews. Here in Georgia, Terrapin, Sweetwater, and now Red Brick do this, so nobody should have been surprised when newcomer Red Hare Brewing launched its own “Reserve Series” back in November of 2011. The beers will be quarterly, and draft only (such has been the case for all the company’s beers so far).
So far, I’ve been well pleased with the regular offerings from this Marietta, Georgia brewery (ironically right around the corner from where I used to live in Vinings). Their Long Day Lager is a tasty pilsner coming in somewhere between the Bohemian and German styles. The aptly named Watership Brown is malty enough and quite drinkable. So, I was looking forward as well to their first specialty brew, beer number one in the “Rabbit’s Reserve” series, Chocolate Porter.
Here’s what Red Hare says about the beer:
8% ABV. Roughly 15 IBU. Aromas of roasted malts and chocolate. Has a delicate chocolate beginning then finishes dry. A combination of malts including chocolate, Midnight Wheat and crystal blend splendidly with dark cocoa for a perfect balance of sweet and bitter making this a very palatable chocolate porter for even the novice drinker.
I sampled a 20-ounce mug at the Canton Taco Mac location. The beer was pricier than any of the other Red Hare beers so far at $6.50, but the good news is that it was not a short pour despite the alcohol content.
Red Hare Rabbit’s Reserve Chocolate Porter pours to a jet black color with a very light tan head formation and a subtle nose of roasted dark chocolate. A fine layer of Brussels lace clung to the sides of my glass as the beer was steadily consumed. Taking a sip, the mouthfeel is slightly oily and the beer very roasty indeed with strong notes of pungent licorice and lots of roasted malt. Bittersweet chocolate is present as well, and in the finish roasted barley bitterness and some herbal grassy hops become apparent, too. A touch of warming alcohol rounds out the whole affair quite nicely.
A nice strong porter, and a beer I’d be happy to imbibe again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
