Mad River Brewing 'Brewer's Secret' Vanilla Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels. Artisan Reserve Series. 9% abv. 34 IBU. Dark brown color. Finger of beige small-bead foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose is sweet, warm brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla. 

Front taste of bourbon, round oak, rich caramel, strong vanilla on the back end. Aftertaste of bright bourbon, toffee, vanilla ribbon across, wood expression on the sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, rich, creamy, boozy.

This is an excellent BBA porter,  decadent treat that tastes and feels almost like soft bourbon vanilla ice cream. The bourbon and wood taste is certainly there, as is the promised vanilla throughout. The aroma is sweet and warm, and the taste builds upon the nose with a creamy body that holds the flavors well. My one nitpick is that it's a little thin for a BBA, but it's no dealbreaker. I would gladly open another bottle of this delight. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"How could we possibly improve on the excellence of our Steelhead Porter? Age it in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels, with fresh vanilla beans added of course! This limited edition Porter has complex malt characteristics balanced with a mild hop profile, taken to a whole new level by forward notes of bourbon, oak and vanilla. Smoked and peated malts lend added complexity and a mild smokey flavor that melds perfectly with the southern charms of decadent bourbon flavors."

[source: madriverbrewing.com]

Mad Duck Brewing 'Pub Ale'. 5.2% abv. 41 IBU. Hazy honey color. Thin white head. Excellent retention, superb lace. Nose of herbal hops, light caramel malt, light fruit notes, toffee notes as the temp drops. Front taste of caramel, mild bitter earthy hops, grain. Aftertaste of light roasted malt, distant herbal hops, earthy bitter sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is carby, warm, dank.

This is an excellent ale, a simple beer that hits its marks well, though it may have been kegged a touch too early. The aroma features herbal hops up front, a contrast to its malt forward taste, but with notes of fresh grain rather than malt. The subdued hop profile, particularly in the aftertaste, also suggests a beer that was packaged before its time. Still, this was an enjoyable brew, young as it may be. Recommended.

I had Mad Duck's pub ale, as well as their IPA, at the grand opening of their sterling new brewpub, so it very well may be the case that their beers were rushed into the kegs to meet their big opening. Knowing this, I will surely return to try this beer again once their operation is has been running a while and their beer production has its kinks ironed out. I have a feeling their house beers will be improved over my first visit.

From the brewery:

"One of our early favorites. Toasted crystal malts make this beer a rich copper/amber hue. Toffee and caramel flavor along with apricot and peaches make the Pub Ale rich and rounded."

[source: brewpub menu]