Thread: The Porter Quarter

Here's a place to share thoughts on porters, stout porters, and extra stout porters (aka stouts).

Do you have an old favorite or a new find? Tell us about it!

I just picked up a 6 pack of Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, and I really think it's fantastic. The odd part is I know I've had it before, and I didn't remember it being this good. It starts off mild, then picks up some smokey flavor and ends bittersweet, almost like dark chocolate and coffee. I'd definitely recommend it.

Another favorite of mine is Atwater Vanilla Java Porter. The only place I've seen it regularly is at MacGregors (a local chain of pubs), and I order it almost every time I go.

Gonzo Imperial Porter from Flying Dog is probably my favorite. It's one of the biggest most balanced I've had. The perfect amount of hop to balance that toffee malty goodness. Like a beer and a milkshake in the best way possible. A beershake.

Anchor Brewing in SF makes a great example of the style. It's called Liberty Porter (if I recall correctly). If you can get your hands on a sixer it won't last long.

I like porters in general and usually order them when I'm out. Out here on the west coast I think the most ubiquitous porter is Black Butte brewed by Deschutes. It's not bad, but there are better examples from many of the microbrewers. Pacific Rim Brewing in Astoria has one called Poop Deck that I love to grab whenever I'm there.

Actually, now that I recollect, Deschutes sometimes puts out a special batch of their Black Butte that's aged in oak and brewed to a mind numbing (literally) 10% alcohol by volume. It's tasty, but you want to be carefull how mush you enjoy at one sitting.