Vanilla Porter by Breckenridge Brewery
10:31 AM CST on Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tina Danze 
BEER: Vanilla Porter by Breckenridge Brewery, Denver 
WHO LIKES IT: Mike Maxey of Ben E. Keith 
STYLE AND ORIGIN: herb spice beer. "It has the flavoring from vanilla beans, and when they flavor a beer with different ingredients besides the usual – barley, hops, yeast and water – they classify it as an herb or spice beer," Mr. Maxey says. 
THE PITCH: "It's deep, dark brown in color, with a nice vanilla aroma. It's very subtle in the vanilla taste. The vanilla sweetness contrasts nicely with the slight bitterness from the roasted barley and chocolate malts. ... It's full-bodied enough for a typical porter drinker, but not too over the top, so those who don't normally drink dark beers will enjoy it, too." 
PAIR IT: "It would pair nicely with steaks, grilled meats and barbecue ribs with a sweet sauce. With the vanilla flavor, it would be a really nice dessert beer. It would be great with a rich chocolate cake or a raspberry-covered cheesecake. My wife and I make a vanilla porter shake: Blend four scoops of vanilla ice cream and half a bottle of the beer in the blender for a wonderful dessert." 
GET SOME: Jimmy's Food Store, Perry's, Pogo's Wine & Spirits, Central Market, Whole Foods Market, Kegs & Barrels, Kegs 'N Cellar in Coppell, Lone Star Beverages and major liquor stores. A six-pack of 12-ounce bottles sells for about $9.