Porter
A dark, roasty English ale of chocolate and coffee notes, the beer that powered industrial London and gave its name to the porters who drank it.
About the Porter style
Porter was the great beer of 18th-century London, a dark, aged brew that became the first beer produced on an industrial scale. It took its name from the street and river porters who were among its keenest drinkers.
The style is milder and rounder than the stout that grew out of it, with chocolate and coffee notes from brown and chocolate malt rather than the sharper roast of black malt. It faded in the 20th century and was revived by the craft movement.
Porter is a style of beer that was developed in London in the early 18th century. It is well-hopped and dark in appearance, owing to the use of brown malt. The name is believed to have originated from its popularity with porters.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: Pale malt with brown, chocolate and roasted malts for colour and dark, roasty flavour without the sharp burnt edge of a dry stout.
Hop character: Moderate English hops for balance, in a supporting role behind the dark malt.
Yeast and fermentation: An English ale yeast with mild fruitiness, letting the roasted malt lead.
A typical Porter runs 4 to 5.4% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 18 to 35 IBU and a colour of 22 to 40 SRM. It is traditionally served in a nonic pint. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Yeast and fermentation notes
An English ale yeast fermented in the high teens Celsius keeps the focus on the roasted malt while adding a little fruity depth. Attenuate it to a medium finish so the beer stays rounded rather than thin, since the dark malt carries much of the flavour.
Serving in brief
Serve a porter cool rather than cold, around 10 to 13 degrees Celsius, so its chocolate and coffee notes are not numbed. A moderate carbonation and, if available, a nitrogen pour give the smooth, rounded body that suits the dark malt.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Fuller's London Porter, Anchor Porter and Founders Porter. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Strength (ABV) | 4 to 5.4% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 18 to 35 |
| Colour (SRM) | 22 to 40 |
| Traditional glass | Nonic pint |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines · Wikipedia