Yankee Brew News Archive

Yankee Brew Review: Elm City Chocolate Cherry Porter

Originally Published: 04/96

By: Gregg Glaser

Beer: Elm City Chocolate Cherry Porter

Brewer: Ron Page, Elm City Brewing Company, New Haven, Connecticut

Appearance: Light end of brown. Gorgeous.

Aroma: Chocolate and cherries come through well. Edible.

Taste: A great blend of flavors -- malt, chocolate, malt, roast, cherries. "Just like sex," said one fellow.

Summary: This beer has an identity crisis -- is it a beer? Yes, and it's great. The sample we tasted came straight from the brewery in a half-gallon growler (this was done as a courtesy; the brewery doesn't sell beer this way), with whole cherries added. Chocolate Covered Cherry Porter will be available only on draft, beginning on Valentine's Day. Only 65 kegs were brewed. Brewer Ron Page suggests that bartenders place a couple of whole cherries in each glass before dispensing the beer.

Brewer's Notes: Brewed with a blend of English pale ale malt, chocolate malt, Munich malt, wheat malt, flaked barley, Galena and Willamette hops. Also: Dutch process cocoa (10 lbs/2,400 lbs of grain) and imported Italian cherry brandy (750 ml/keg). 14 degrees Plato.

Brewer's Poem:

Twas the night before the Holiday,

And everything was dandy.

Mama on the sofa,

With a new box of candy.

Papa right beside her,

Feeling very merry,

Because every kiss she gave him,

Tastes like chocolate covered cherries.

- Ron Page (brewer)

Reviewed by Gregg Glaser, Yankee Brew News Staff, The Naughty Nurse, Dr. Pivo and several members of the Underground Brewers of Connecticut homebrew club.