MacLean’s Ales Cherry Porter

Porter and sour cherries? Give! That’s the lineup that features in MacLean’s Ales Cherry Porter, a 5.6% alcohol brew from MacLean’s Ales in Hanover, Ontario.

The beer is a near black number with amber highlights that pours with a thin cover of off-white head. It has a malty nose with only a hint of sour cherry. The flavour is equally mild, and the cherry elements are extremely understated. More than anything, the beer is characterized by forward-facing roasted malt, with a kiss of coffee.

If the 473mL can didn’t have an iridescent cherry on it, I might not have identified it as a major element. It’s a subtle but enjoyable addition to a malt-heavy porter. This is isn’t something I say much, but I’d have liked to see the named flavour hit a little harder.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.