False Beervertising

I love coming across a new Truth in Beervertising video from Breckenridge Brewery while I'm surfing on YouTube. I thought about this on Sunday while watching some of the ads created by American major brewers (you know who they are) and the fact that I wished to one day see one of these Breckenridge ads during a Super Bowl.

It's pretty much a given that the Super Bowl's portion of beer advertising is going to be Coors, Miller and/or Budweiser. One we traditionally see every year is the Budweiser Clydesdale campaign. If you miss that you usually see the new ad brandishing its new, but odd concoction.

The reality is that it's most likely not feasible for any craft brewer to pay the exorbitant sum that's required to advertise during the Super Bowl in today's day and age.

I've always looked at these Super Bowl beer ads to be very close to what the Pittsburgh Pirates do. The argument can be made that the Pirates, Budweiser, etc. have amazing marketing departments. Most in part because they provide viewers/consumers with a magnificent distraction from the actual product, which I don't particularly care for in either case. Budweiser has commercials that emotionally connect with many Americans. The Pirates have fireworks and pierogi races.

I'll admit the commercial was well done. That doesn't mean I'm cracking open a Budweiser any time soon. I'll still prefer a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.

Beer Review: Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 4.7 percent

Appearance: I wouldn't Breckenridge Vanilla Porter as a black beer, as you'd expect most Porters to be. This brew has a body that's more on the browner side of the spectrum. The visible carbonation provides you with a texture that causes the mouth to water. The head is slightly tan and somewhat weak, but the lacing makes up for it later on.

Smell: I got plenty of roast and chocolate in the aroma at first. Next comes an inviting, sweet smell of vanilla beans. The hint of vanilla reminded me of the days when your parents made some homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Remember the black specks?

Taste: This beer tasted very dark, at first. The roast and chocolate are the majority of that. The chocolate is more on the darker side as opposed to milk chocolate. You end up wandering where the vanilla is, but then it comes and creates a dramatic, extremely smooth finish.

Overall Rating: 

This is a really enjoyable drink. At first, it teases you and causes you to think that this is just like any other Porter. Then, a rush of sweet vanilla kicks in. Good timing!