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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Stouts and Porters

Twins of the Beer World

Baltic/Imperial Porter

Fortified porter and its sibling style, Russian imperial stout, were developed by English brewers to serve markets to the east. As these dark, strong beers gained favor, breweries along the Baltic trade route began brewing their own versions, and the porter lost its ale identity as these breweries used lager yeasts. The result is a beer that can resemble a very dark doppelbock, with alcohol levels between 7.5 and 9 percent. Black in color, the porters are very smooth with not much of the fruity characteristics you would find in a conventional porter. Roasted malts with dark sugars, caramelized sugars and hints of licorice show in the flavor profile. A hint of smokiness can also be present. Hop aroma is very low, maybe a hint of floral notes as long as they are not dominant. Medium- to-full bodied, and no sweet butterscotch or DMS in flavor or aroma.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

95 2008 Imperial Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.2% ABV (3/09)
Deep opaque brown color. Aromas of baker’s chocolate, coffee and burnt pumpernickel toast follow through on a supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with molasses and brown butter notes. Finishes with a lovely dark roasted nut and grain fade. A very nicely-balanced imperial porter that sets the bar for the style.

94 Grand Baltic Porter, Garrison Brewing Co. (Canada). 9% ABV (1/09)
Dark reddish brown. Interesting aroma of honey, pomegranate, molasses and sour cherry jam follow through perfectly on a round supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry, medium body with granola and cherry notes prominent. Finishes with a very long, cocoa-dusted nut fade. A superb flavored porter.

92 Badder Elmer’s Baltic Porter, Upland Brewing (IN). 6.6% ABV (1/10)
Medium brown color with an amber cast. Subtle aromas of roasted pecan and cocoa have a faint roasted meat edge and follow through on a gentle entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with chocolate-covered raisin and citrus. Delicate spice notes on the smooth, creamy, grain-accented finish. A well-balanced, very drinkable interpretation of the style.

90 Imperial Porter, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 7.5% ABV (1/10)
Deep russet brown amber color with a saffron rim. Aromas of dark roasted nuts, grain and burnt sugar follow through on a supple, smooth entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with caramelized dried fruit and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a long, chewy rye flour and mashed raisin fade with light mossy hops. Very nice and begging for food.

89 Porter, Zywiec Brewery (Poland). 9.5% ABV (12/07)
Opaque brown black color with a lacey tan head. Spicy toasted caraway rye bread, toffee and borscht aromas. A bold, frothy entry leads to an off-dry medium-to-full body of toffee, pickled beets, roasted nuts and peppery spice flavors. Finishes with long, charred nut and toffee fade with a hint of hay and soap. A great food beer for hearty stews.

88 Leviathan Baltic Porter, Harpoon Brewery (MA). 9.5% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown copper color. Rich roasted grain, toasty baguette and salty nut aromas have a touch of earth and clay and follow through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with a lash of boozy apple brandy and peppery spice. Finishes with a warming, roasted nut and bread fade. Interesting, big and blustery.

88 Imperial Porter, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 7.5% ABV (1/10)
Opaque inky brown black color with a swirl of tan gray foam. Aromas of baker’s chocolate and dark caramel follow through on a smooth creamy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great balance and integration. Finishes with refreshing nut, coffee bean and crisp, astringent hop snap.

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