Porter

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) %{Brewpub}
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) %{Brewpub}
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.