Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Stouts and Porters

Twins of the Beer World

Porter

Porter was originally an English, specifically London, dark beer style that was the drink of the masses long before lagers were conceived or modern ales were fashionable. Porters are red-brown to black in color, medium to medium-full bodied, and characterized by a flavor profile that can vary from very subtle dark malts to fully roasted, smoky flavors. Being a centuries-old style, there are differences of opinion with regard to what a “true” porter was actually like and there can be wide variations from one brewer’s interpretation to the next. Roasted malt should provide the flavoring character, rather than roasted barley as is used with stouts. Stronger, darker versions (“robust” porter) and lighter more delicate versions (“brown” porter) are equally valid manifestations of the style. The influence of hops can often be notable in the richer craft brewed examples of the style. Although porter was the drink of the masses in 1700s London, it fell out of favor, and is only now seeing a resurgence, with a few outstanding English examples in production. In the United States, it is enjoying new-found popularity among U.S. craft brewers and many fine U.S. examples are produced.

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

93 Taddy Porter, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Deep mahogany brown color. Mild baker’s chocolate and whole nut aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry light-to-medium body with subtle root vegetable and mild earth hop notes on the gentle, relaxed finish. A very traditional, old and new ale blended style porter that is perfect for session or mild food.

93 Black Butte Porter, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (1/10)
Deep brown color. Pleasant chocolate-covered cherry, apple and nougat aromas have a nice layer of spice and follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium with creamy cappuccino notes and a tangy, bitter hops-driven finish. A nicely-balanced, hoppier style.

92 Chelsea Moylan’s Porter, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5.1% ABV (1/10)
Very dark brown color with a superfine light tan mouse. Rich melted toffee and sweaty cheese aromas follow through on a supple, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with chocolate-covered raisin and salted nut notes. Finishes with an astringent citrus seltzer and dark nut toast-accented fade.

91 Point Reyes Porter, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 6% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown color. Buttery chocolate-covered Rice Crispy bar aromas follow through on a soft, round entry to a balanced, dryish medium body with good depth and a mildly astringent baker’s chocolate, mocha and date notes. Finishes with a long, lingering citrus and cocoa fade. Very tasty.

91 Old Growler Brown Porter, Nethergate Brewery (England). 5.5% ABV (1/10)
Deep mahogany with an amber cast. Aromas of chocolate mousse and sour cream have a brackish note and follow through on a soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with tangy roasted nut, savory bouillon and baked fruit layers. Finishes with a long, earthy hop intoned finish. A very nice food beer to pair with meat and gravy dishes.

91 Midnight Sun Porter, Williams Bros. Brewing Co. (Scotland). 5.6% ABV (1/09)
Opaque black brown color. Deeply spicy aromas of cocoa, herbal bark and fresh peat follow through on a rich, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with coriander and dried citrus notes prominent. Finishes with a long, cocoa spice fade with a mossy earthiness underneath. Very interesting; pair with wild pig or traditional Christmas pudding.

91 Meantime London Porter, Meantime Brewery (England). 6.5% ABV (1/10)
Mahogany amber color. Rich chocolately mocha and nut aromas have a subtle earthy edge and follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a seamless texture and a resonant, dried apple, pear and coffee-accented fade. Delicious and inviting.

91 London Style Porter, Propeller Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (12/07)
Deep brown black color. Roasted nut and grain aromas have a talc edge. A smooth and balanced entry leads to a rich dry full body with cocoa, tobacco and nutty malt flavors and a long lingering fade. An outstanding food beer for meats and marinades.

90 Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.8% ABV (12/07)
Deep mahogany color. Charred nuts and creamy caramel aromas display a slight resiny hoppy note. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of roasted grains, charred nuts, baker’s chocolate and light dried citrus. Finishes with a long, smooth roasted nut and cocoa fade. Great smoothness, depth and balance.

89 Porter, Swan Lake Beer (Japan). 6% ABV (2/07)
Opaque dark brown color with a reddish tint. Intense coffee, burnt sugar and toffeed pecan aromas. A brisk entry leads to a dry light-to medium body of mocha, roasted nuts, chocolate-covered raisin flavors. Finishes with a tart, dried orange, baker’s chocolate and coffee fade. A very pleasant and drinkable, mocha-accented porter.

88 Mr. George’s Ruby Porter, Batemans (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Enticing aromas of caramelized and chocolate-covered pears and nuts follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with graceful balanced flavors and a earthy, grassy hop and toasted baguette-accented fade. A delicious session porter or table companion.

88 Flag Porter, Darwin (England). 5% ABV (12/07)
Deep mahogany brown color. Sweet toffee and candied fruit aromas are reminiscent of Christmas cake and follow through to a supple, creamy and dryish medium-to-full body of cocoa, tangy nuts and raisins. Finishes with a dry, even, delicately astringent fade.

87 Walker’s Reserve Porter, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (CA). 5.9% ABV (1/10)
Mahogany brown. Mild roasted nut and coffee aroma have an odd rubber band note and follow through on a supple entry to a dry light-to-medium body with pleasing roasted grain and root vegetable notes. Finishes with a crisp, nut and baked citrus-accented fade.

87 Samuel Adams Holiday Porter, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.7% ABV (1/10)
Deep mahogany color with a lacy taupe head. Dark chocolate and dark roasted nut aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with very good depth and a nicely astringent and tangy, grilled citrus-accented fade. Solid.

87 Old-Style Porter, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 5% ABV (12/07)
Dark brown color. Dark chocolate fudge, wet grain, red clay and straw mat aromas. A smooth supple entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of chocolate-covered dates and loam flavors with a creamy cocoa, nut and wood-accented fade. Interesting blend of chocolate and earthy flavors.

87 Mission Point Porter, North Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.4% ABV (1/09)
Deep mahogany brown color with a reddish tint. Chocolate soufflé and toasted nut aromas follow through on a very crisp entry to a frothy medium body with notes of molasses and malt vinegar. Finishes with a tangy, angular, dried citrus and unsweetened chocolate fade. Almost lager-like in its vibrancy; should match nicely with grilled meats.

86 Porter, The Pump Room (Singapore). 4.5% ABV (1/08)
Deep reddish mahogany color with a tan head. Tangy aromas of dried apples, pears, grilled citrus and hot chocolate froth. A smooth velvety entry leads to a dryish medium-full body of toasted rye, dried fruit and roasted walnut flavors with a crisp bitter hops and nut fade and a nice mouthwatering quality that will work well with grilled swordfish.

86 Oatmeal Porter, Carolina Brewery (NC). 5.6% ABV (1/10)
Brown amber color. Chocolate-covered citrus and nut aromas have a whiff of porridge and follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with the emphasis on cocoa and dark roasted nut notes. Finishes with a tangy, dried citrus-accented fade.

85 Old Leghumper Porter, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 6.7% ABV (1/10)
Rich melted toffee aromas follow through on a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with chocolate-covered espresso bean and dried fruit notes. Finishes with a tangy, grilled citrus and toasted nut fade. Nice.

85 Bad Elmer’s Porter, Upland Brewing (IN). 5% ABV (1/10)
Brown amber color. Bright, sweet chocolate-covered peach and orange peel aromas follow through on a round, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a nice interplay of dried fruit and astringent roasted grain flavors. Hops play a backseat role on the easy-going, slightly fleeting finish.

84 Stegmaier Porter, The Lion Brewery (PA). 5.2% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown black almost opaque color. Dense aromas of chocolate fondue and toffeed nuts follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with espresso bean and tart citrus peel notes. Finishes with a crisp, tangy earthly hop laced finish. A very nice food beer to serve with grilled meats.

84 John Sleeman Presents: Fine Porter, Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. (Canada). 5.5% ABV (12/07)
Deep mahogany color with a lacy white head. Roasted grain, dishrag and mocha aromas. A brisk frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body with a hint of dried fruit and charred nuts. Crisp, charred bread fade with solid astringency from the hops. Refreshing.

83 Michelob Brown Porter, Michelob Brewing Co. (MO). 5.9% ABV (12/07)
Very commercial. Zesty, light and highly carbonated, highly drinkable though.

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