This cherry porter got me not only drinkin’ but thinkin’. First of all, it was my wingcan for Hockey Night in Canada and cheering on the mighty Leafs who prevailed against the Boston bruises. But I must admit, during the intermissions I channel surf without Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner. Then I got thinkin’ about the artwork on the can, a good old fashioned cherry bomb, which could be an apt description of the rant that Don Cherry made that night that led to him getting fired*. Then I thought about “Cherry Bomb”, the breakout hit by the Runaways**, Joan Jett’s first band. Then I thought about having a drink and watching the game.
My old buddy Rick recommended this brew so I was eager to try it. But we all have different tastes so no brew is a sure thing. I love me some nice fresh cherries, but flavoured beers are hit and miss with me. That being said MacLean’s did a great job with their blueberry blonde so I had high hopes.
I find a porter pour is a pretty pour and this porter pour is no exception. What I did find different is it poured thin and watery. The aroma is a light traditional roasted porter malt with a faint hint of fruit. If it weren’t a cherry porter I don’t think I would have been able to pinpoint the fruit from the aroma. It has a nice mild porter flavour with a bit of cherry on the finish. The thin pour matches the lager mouthfeel. It is a smooth mild porter with a subtle cherry finish. It is reminiscent of a dark lager in flavour and mouthfeel and they have added, as they so aptly describe it “subtle notes of sour cherry”.
This cherry porter is no cherry bomb, the subtle cherry notes play just right with the porter bass line and the result is a hit. MacLean’s has once again mastered the elusive art of the subtle.
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