Porter
Porter is a dark brown ale with flavors of chocolate, coffee and toast. It is smoother and less roasted than stout, with a medium body. The Baltic variety is stronger and fermented cold like a lager.
Food pairings
- Barbecue and smoked meat
- Burgers
- Chocolate desserts
Glassware and serving temperature
Nonic pint glass50 to 55°F (10–13°C)
What it tastes like
Milk chocolate, caramel and a mild coffee note from brown and chocolate malts. It is rarely bitter or burnt. Some modern porters add vanilla, coffee or smoked malt.
Where it comes from
Porter appeared in London in the early eighteenth century and took its name from the street and river porters who drank it. It was the first beer brewed on an industrial scale and was exported around the world. Stronger versions were called stout porter, which is where stout comes from.
How to serve it
Serve at 10–13°C in a pint glass. A porter poured too cold tastes thin, so take it out of the fridge ten minutes before you open it.
What to eat with it
Barbecue, smoked meat, burgers, roasted vegetables and chocolate desserts.
