93 Taddy Porter, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Deep mahogany brown color. Mild baker’s chocolate and whole nut aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry light-to-medium body with subtle root vegetable and mild earth hop notes on the gentle, relaxed finish. A very traditional, old and new ale blended-style porter that is perfect for session or mild food.
93 Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 5.8% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown color. Bright chocolate, honeycomb and cherry butter aromas and flavors with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, rich coffee, pumpernickel, roasted nut and water chestnut-accented finish. Excellent balance, vitality and style.
93 Black Butte Porter, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (1/10)
Deep brown color. Pleasant chocolate-covered cherry and apple and nougat aromas have a nice layer of spice and follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium with creamy cappuccino notes and a tangy, bitter hops driven finish. A nicely balanced, hoppier style.
92 Old Growler Porter, Nethergate Brewery (England). 5.5% ABV (1/11)
Deep reddish brown color. Dark cocoa and roasted coffee bean aromas with a dry, supple medium body and a smooth, lightly roasted grain and nut wafer finish. Great purity, balance and sessionability; a paragon of porter.
92 Chelsea Moylan’s Porter, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 5.1% ABV (1/10)
Very dark brown color with a superfine, light tan mouse. Rich melted toffee and sweaty cheese aromas follow through on a supple, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with chocolate-covered raisin and salted nut notes. Finishes with an astringent citrus seltzer and dark nut toast-accented fade.
91 Point Reyes Porter, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 6% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown color. Buttery chocolate-covered Rice Crispy bar aromas follow through on a soft, round entry to a balanced, dryish medium body with good depth and a mildly astringent baker’s chocolate, mocha and date notes. Finishes with a long, lingering citrus and cocoa fade. Very tasty.
91 Midnight Sun Porter, Williams Bros. Brewing Co. (Scotland). 5.6% ABV (1/09)
Opaque black brown color. Deeply spicy aromas of cocoa, herbal bark and fresh peat follow through on a rich, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with coriander and dried citrus notes prominent. Finishes with a long, cocoa spice fade with a mossy earthiness underneath. Very interesting; pair with wild pig or traditional Christmas pudding.
90 Old Grind Porter, Etna Brewing Co. (CA). 5.09% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep reddish mahogany color. Dark roasted coffee, chocolate yogurt, pine needle, dried orange blossom aromas with a chewy, dryish medium-to-full body and salty, lightly smoky roasted root vegetable, bean dip and earth-accented finish. A savory, food tuned porter that will be great with ham and gruyère on pumpernickel sandwiches.
90 Meantime London Porter, Meantime Brewing Company (England). 6.5% ABV (1/11)
Reddish mahogany color. Ground coffee, chocolate soufflè, dark raisin toast and faint caramelized carrot aromas with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a round, mocha, dusty starfruit and riverstone-accented finish. A very nice sipper or food beer. Try with chili con carne.
90 Bad Elmer’s Porter, Upland Brewing (IN). 5% ABV (1/11)
Deep brown color. Rich chocolate cream cookie and mocha aromas with a round, supple, dryish medium body and a long dark roasted nut, burnt toast and delicate grassy earth-accented finish. Very nicely styled.
88 Porter, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 7% ABV (1/11)
Opaque brown with a lacy taupe head. Aggressively vegetal hop aromas reminiscent of sautèed radicchio, white asparagus and bean dip with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a very smooth, dark chocolate mousse, dark raisin toast and grapefruit soufflé-accented finish. Intriguingly hoppy and different.
88 Old-Style Porter, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 5.1% ABV (1/11)
Deep brown color. Aromas of chocolate and honey-drizzled cherry and pear with a supple, dryish medium body and a toasted grain, nut, chocolate coffee bean and earth-accented finish. A dry, highly sessionable porter.
88 Mr. George’s Ruby Porter, Batemans (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Enticing aromas of caramelized and chocolate-covered pears and nuts follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with graceful balanced flavors and a earthy, grassy hop and toasted baguette-accented fade. A delicious session porter or table companion.
87 Walker’s Reserve Porter, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (CA). 5.9% ABV (1/10)
Mahogany brown. Mild roasted nut and coffee aroma have an odd rubber band note and follow through on a supple entry to a dry light-to-medium body with pleasing roasted grain and root vegetable notes. Finishes with a crisp, nut and baked citrus-accented fade.
87 Ten Pin Porter, Ska Brewing Co. (CO). 6% ABV (1/11)
Brown color. Aromas of chocolate, succotash and crackers with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, vegetal, baked citrus and earthy hop driven finish. A nicely balanced, hop-forward porter.
87 Samuel Adams Holiday Porter, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.8% ABV (1/11)
Deep reddish brown with a fine tan mousse. Rich inviting aromas of dark chocolate -drizzled dried cherries and apricots and molasses with a supple, frothy medium-to-full body and a smooth, dark toast and roasted nut finish. Very tasty and appetizing.
87 Mission Point Porter, North Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.4% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep mahogany brown color with a reddish tint. Chocolate soufflé and toasted nut aromas follow through on a very crisp entry to a frothy medium body with notes of molasses and malt vinegar. Finishes with a tangy, angular, dried citrus and unsweetened chocolate fade. Almost lager-like in its vibrancy; should match nicely with grilled meats.
87 McGuire’s Porter, McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery (FL). 5.7% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Reddish brown color. Rich baked and dried tropical fruit and toffee aromas with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, creamy milk chocolate-mocha mousse finish. A nice quaffer.
86 Oatmeal Porter, Carolina Brewery (NC). 5.6% ABV (1/10)
Brown amber color. Chocolate-covered citrus and nut aromas have a whiff of porridge and follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with the emphasis on cocoa and dark roasted nut notes. Finishes with a tangy, dried citrus-accented fade.
85 Poplar Porter, Northwoods Brewing Corp. LLC (WI). 4.5% ABV (1/11)
Deep reddish brown color. Melted chocolate and leafy green vegetal hop aromas, with a soft, breezy, dryish light-to-medium body and lightly burnt toast, nut, jicama and wafer notes with a pleasant mildly astringent finish. A nice, lighter and rather U.K. session-styled porter.
85 Old Leghumper Porter, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 6.7% ABV (1/10)
Rich melted toffee aromas follow through on a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with chocolate-covered espresso bean and dried fruit notes. Finishes with a tangy, grilled citrus and toasted nut fade. Nice.
84 Stegmaier Porter, The Lion Brewery (PA). 5.2% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown black almost opaque color. Dense aromas of chocolate fondue and toffeed nuts follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with espresso bean and tart citrus peel notes. Finishes with a crisp, tangy earthly hop laced finish. A very nice food beer to serve with grilled meats.