Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Porters and Stouts

Always Bet on Black

Flavored Porter

Flavoring traditional beer styles is a particular feature of the ever-creative U.S. craft brewing scene. Flavorings used in porters are typically dark berry fruits and coffee, and when skillfully done the effect can be greater than the sum of its parts.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Smoked Frog Porter, Issaquah Brewhouse (OR). 8% ABV (1/09)
Black with reddish tan head. Slim Jim and baker’s chocolate aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish, medium-full body with excellent smoothness and depth of flavor. Finishes with a long dried fruit, roasted nut and smoldering ember fade. Nicely balanced smokiness makes this a pleasure to drink; a must try beer for Cuban sandwiches or smoked gouda.

91 Coconut Porter, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5.7% ABV (1/08)
Dark brown-black color. Aromas of Almond Joy bars. A very smooth, velvety entry leads to a milky, dryish medium body of dark toast, toasted coconuts and dark artisan chocolate with a creamy mocha coconut milkshake-like fade. A fun and easy drinking porter with a unique flavor; serve as cheesecake.

90 Black Butte XX, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 11% ABV (1/09)
Black-brown color. Aromas of chocolate fudge sundaes (with nuts) and frappaccinos follow through on a thick, chewy entry to a fruity full body with prune and raisin purée notes. Finishes with a long, syrupy roasted walnut and chocolate coffee fudge fade. A decadent, almost dessert beer-like treat to sip in small doses.

89 Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 4.7% ABV (1/09)
Dark reddish brown color. Aromas of dark toast, sour cherry and mild vanilla bean aromas follow through on a silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with great tangy citrus peel and melon notes. Finishes with a cocoa and dried citrus fade. Not much vanilla here, but very refreshing and food-friendly.

89 Pipeline Coffee Porter, Kona Brewing Co. (HI). 5.2% ABV (1/09)
Dark russet brown color. Chocolate-covered coffee bean and sour cherry aromas follow through on a round creamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with chocolate pudding and roasted nut notes. Finishes with a crisp yet creamy latte-like fade. Nice.

88 Samuel Adams Honey Porter, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (1/09)
Reddish mahogany color. Aromas of baker’s chocolate, honeycomb and spiced caramelized nuts follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with nice toffee notes. Finishes with a long, mossy earth and raw honey accented fade.

86 Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (1/09)
Dark brown color. Pleasant mocha fudge, grapefruit and roasted nut aromas follow through on a breezy soft entry to a dryish medium body with notes of toasted pumpkin seeds and earth. Finishes with a burnt orange and mildly astringent hop fade.

84 Honey Mint Porter, North Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 7.5% ABV (1/09)
Reddish mahogany color. Interesting aromas of chocolate mint and coriander follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with mincemeat pie and lemon marmalade notes. Finishes with a tangy, spice, mint leaf-accented fade. Different.

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