Today’s Beer Porn is again brought to you by our guest writer Adam Kern, founder of My Buffalo Shirts.
Sarnac’s Caramel Porter is a beer I’ve been honestly searching for for quite some time. It’s a beer that was introduced to me by a friend a few years back at a BBQ and its delicious flavor profile had me wanting another glass. Its one of many seasonal brews that Saranac (Matt Brewing Co, located in Utica, NY) offers. The trouble with seasonal beers is that the distribution varies from year to year and it’s hit or miss when stores are supposed to have them in stock. Unlike other brewery websites, Saranac’s does not offer a calendar of seasonal brews. In fact, they stated this on their site, “(perennial beers) tend to reappear depending on the season…and frankly when we feel like it”. I even got to the point of e-mailing Matt Brewing Co. and Consumers about it, but I got no definitive answers in return.
During a grocery outing at Wegmans in late October, I was surprised to see it sitting on a shelf (note to avid beer fans: Wegmans has an extremely diverse selection of beers). I therefore went ahead and purchased several six packs to stock up. Each six pack price was somewhere around ~$8, I don’t recall the exact price.
On to the Beer Review…
Saranac’s Caramel porter is a seasonal brew that is only released during the winter. Sarnac’s Caramel Porter is considered a robust beer in the family of porters. It is a medium to heavy beer with a strong brown color and a molasses-coffee aroma. The Alcohol by Volume content is 5.4%.
At first sip you can taste a high malty/roast flavor which then smoothes out to a toffee/caramel flavor, which is also the aftertaste it leaves (you can truly taste the real caramel used in the brewing process). In beer tasting language, it has a medium – sweet finish to it, with almost no hint of hops.
Saranac’s caramel porter is definitely a casual drinking beer (I can’t see this being used as a chugging beer, just too rich). Now, personally, I don’t drink to many dark beers, but I was very impressed with it. It’s a beer I would recommend highly and strongly urge you to go out now to pick up a six pack before they are gone. Last time I checked Wegmans and Consumers, they still had a few packs on the shelves.
I 100% agree. The Saranac Caramel Porter has been my favorite beer for years. Last year I only was able to find one six pack of it. This year was much more plentiful. So much so, that I have 5 six packs of it at home now so that I don’t run out anytime soon. Good to see that others like it as well.
Hi Adam! I’m so glad to hear you love our Caramel Porter so much! Have you emailed us at info@saranac.com? Angela, who handles our consumer relations, would be glad to help you find it in your area when it is available. Thanks for drinking Saranac!