REVIEW: Foolproof Peanut Butter Raincloud

TL;DR summary : Not different enough to justify the price

Beer style: Peanut butter Porter

ABV 5.4%

What I paid: 12.99(!)

How it came (packaging): 4 x 12oz cans

Brewery link: http://www.foolproofbrewing.com/beer/peanut-butter-raincloud-5-4-abv

About the Beer: I’ve talked about the Foolproof brewery before, here. This particular beer is a seasonal variant of their year-round Raincloud Porter. A solid beer in it’s own right that I will review later. I don’t actually have a lot of information other than peanut butter is added to the brew. It would be interesting to know at what stage. Is it part of the boil? Added in to the wort post boil? Right before bottling? Would it make a difference? I just don’t know. On to the tasting I guess.

Color/appearance: black, heavy tan head that didn’t stick around long.

Aroma: Peanut butter, maple? Hints of chocolate

Mouth feel:

Flavor: peanut butter notes, molasses, coffee, slightly bitter in the middle finishes clean

Notes: not too much peanut butter flavor, but it’s there. Smell is a little surprising peanut butter tames some of the burnt flavor from the dark malt and some of the hop bitter. It’s different, a little weird, not sure it’s worth what I paid. Regular Raincloud is better.

Summary: I was excited to try this beer. I love peanut butter, and it seems like an interesting take on a porter. It’s definitely different and a little weird. I don’t think I’d buy it again, but it’s more about the price than the flavor. If I’m paying fifteen bucks for a four pack, I need to really love the beer. In this case I don’t. Still, it’s worth a try if you’re a fan of peanut butter, but you might be disappointed. Raincloud has a pronounced roasted (burnt) malt flavor to begin with. That flavor is still dominant here.  The peanut butter is more of a background note and doesn’t really stand out at all.  

Rating : 2.75

1 – avoid

2 – if it’s the only choice, I guess

3 – a decent beer. Drinkable.

4 – good beer – hard to turn down

5 – great beer - One of my favorites, pour me another.

Style: 3