What is porter beer?
When you think of a nice, dark beer, stouts or porter immediately come to mind for many. Both are great options for a thicker beer with a more intense flavor. But what exactly is the difference between the two? For some, the differences are so small that they don't care much or don't even notice. But for the true beer connoisseur, the characteristics that distinguish a porter from a stout are important enough to really make the difference.
The main difference is that most stouts contain roasted barley, while a porter usually does not (although some stronger varieties may have it). Porters are also older than stouts and thus a more familiar precedent. In general, they are also less strong than a stout.
As for the history of porter beer, there is no strong consensus. Still, we can infer a few things about porters' past. Created in the 1700's, it is a blend of three types of ales: sour ale, pale ale and mild ale. This unique blend was one of the very first beers brewed with the drinker's taste in mind, rather than simply because of the ingredients available.
There are a few main subcategories of porters: English porter, Baltic porter and American porter. We discuss the similarities and differences below.
English Porter
A good English porter ranges from light to dark brown in color for the Brown style, and medium to dark brown for the Robust variety. The ABV is usually between 4 and 6.5 percent, and some of the best brands include Smuttynose, Samuel Smith's and Fuller's. Brown English porters often have a malty flavor with sweeter notes such as toffee, caramel or chocolate. A Robust English porter, as the name suggests, is a bit more powerful. These beers go well with cheese, grilled meats and peanut butter.
Baltic Porter
Baltic porter is known for its copper color. This style of porter contains more alcohol, with an ABV between 5.5 and 10 percent. Smuttynose makes a delicious Baltic porter, as do Victory Brewing Company and Baltika. With flavors like licorice and molasses, this more alcoholic version of an English porter is designed to survive the long voyage across the Baltic Sea. Toasty notes, but never burnt, makes Baltic porter perfect for lovers of a dark and rich flavor experience, and it pairs great with prime rib.
American Porter
Ah, an old-fashioned American beer. This porter is usually almost black in color, with an average ABV of 5 to 7.5 percent. Great examples of brands making this style are Rogue Ales and Great Lakes Brewing Company. This porter, also inspired by the English porter, falls more into the category of craft beer. It takes the traditional English version of a porter and gives it a new, American twist. The taste of an American porter goes especially well with chicken dishes.
If you are someone who likes stouts and dark beers, but are looking for a sweeter, more complex twist, a porter might be the right choice for you. Extremely popular and available almost everywhere these days, you'll have no trouble finding a high-quality porter to enjoy.