Bad Elmer’s Porter

Available: IN

Deep brown in color, the aroma of this ale is an invitation to sample further, with its alluring, freshly roasted coffee character backed by soft roasted brown sugar notes and an even more subtle whiff of licorice. (The label says “keep refrigerated,” but the cold mutes the nose terribly. I’d suggest cellar temperature instead.) The body is of medium weight with a pleasing and slightly sweet roastiness up front, and gently bitter espresso flavor at the back of the tongue. The finish is just off-dry and, as the estimable Mr. Jackson would say, definitely more-ish. A lovely late afternoon restorative.
- Stephen Beaumont

Very nice deep, dark color with rich, dense head. Cocoa notes emerge in aroma along with banana and a bit of character usually associated with “illegal immigrant” yeast. Very fruity and banana-like with an elevated sweet and roasted malt character. Hops emerge, but retreat to the background. Not quite my cup of beer, but, then again, I don’t like bananas.
- Charlie Papazian

This beer has a very deep reddish brown hue and raises an impressive tan head. The aroma is a heady blend of chocolate, coffee, hops and wet stone. The palate is nicely balanced and full-bodied, showing some caramel sweetness to balance the bitterness and roast. The finish is clean and dry; cocoa lingers. A genuinely porter-ish porter, which is a fine thing. Grab a burger if you’re feeling lazy or whip up some duck breast mole if you feel ambitious.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

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