[vancebarnes]

I'm looking for a solid English Porter recipe.

Just take your regular English Porter recipe and freeze it.

 

Cue the endless Spongebob laughter fit...

As to Denny's BVIP I'm curious. Might have to try that out. I assume the base beer is fantastic without the bourbon or vanilla

Actually the base is very good without the bourbon and vanilla.  I much prefer it.
A couple years ago I got more than my fair share of BVIP when judging the second round of NHC.  It was very popular that year.

I have to admit that I pretty much burned out on the bourbon and vanilla, as have most of my friends who received it at Christmas for many years.  Fortunately, the porter alone is delicious, or with coffee if you're into that.

Recipe is here....http://wiki.homebrewersassociation.org/BourbonVanillaImperialPorter

I like it with the vanilla and without.  The balance goes toward the roasty without the vanilla as it is a natural sweetener and takes the edge off the roasty.  It is a great grain bill for dark beers.  I've scaled it down and made a dark mild with it even.  Much to Denny's dismay I'm sure. (Life starts at 1.060)

[denny]

I like it with the vanilla and without.  The balance goes toward the roasty without the vanilla as it is a natural sweetener and takes the edge off the roasty.  It is a great grain bill for dark beers.  I've scaled it down and made a dark mild with it even.  Much to Denny's dismay I'm sure. (Life starts at 1.060)

Actually, both Drew and I are big fans of session beers.  That sig line is from 20+ years ago, when I could drink like a young(er) man!

[Joseph Wilson]

It doesn't actually get cold here, but I'm brewing 3 big beers in a row for "winter".

Bottling my barleywine next weekend.
Then I'm brewing a belgian quad and after that a RIS with vanilla, tanks beans and cocoa nibs. I'm about a month behind on my production schedule but guess that'll leave plenty for next winter.