Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer (Category 30A) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

This beer pours an opaque black with a tan head that lingers a long time and a viscosity that clings to the side of the glass. The aroma greets you with a prominent, rich bittersweet chocolate that eventually gives way to a light peanut character with just a bit of light roast malt, light coffee and a touch of resiny hops. Light spicy alcohol and a late appearance of vanilla round out the aroma.

The flavor also features a prominent and rich bittersweet chocolate with a hit of spicy alcohol. As the chocolate fades down, light caramel, bready malt, roasted malt, vanilla and a light peanut character emerge, along with high hop bitterness that remains smooth and lingers long through the rich and complex aftertaste. There is a solid residual sweetness in the middle that dries out just enough in the finish to keep it from becoming cloying. The overall flavor profile weaves in and out, with the chocolate character maintaining a very solid presence. This is a full-bodied, chewy beer with moderate alcohol warming.

This chocolate peanut butter porter is a dessert beer in every sense, it is rich, full-bodied, and intended to be a slow sipper. The chocolate tends to be a little prominent, and a little more support from the peanuts and vanilla would create better balance and make this beer soar. Regardless, this beer should be a must-have on everyone's winter beer list; just make sure that you make enough time to enjoy it – at 13% ABV this one is definitely not meant to be rushed through.