|
|
Dark, Rich, and Satisfying Style of BeerMay 03 '01 (Updated Oct 28 '06) Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Refrigerators
The Bottom Line Porters rank among the best beers in the world, and I count several of them in my all- time favorite list of beers.
Porter is one of the many great styles of beer on the market. It’s dark, rich and hearty, and it’s one of my favorite styles of beer. The growth in the craft beer market in recent years has been a blessing for those of us who love this style. There are now many, many microbreweries that produce excellent examples of this style of ale. History of Porter: This style of beer has its origins in the 18th century, when it was first brewed in England. This type of beer was richer and more nourishing than the other popular beers at the time, and it was popular among porters and laborers; hence the name, porter. According to English law at the time porter was developed, the price of beer was determined by the government. Regardless of the cost to the manufacturer, beer was sold with a fixed price. This, of course, led brewers to attempt to manufacture their product as cheaply as possible, in order to maximize profits. Since brown malt was the cheapest type of malt in the 1700’s, it became popular as a main ingredient in beer, and this led to the development of the porter style of beer. Characteristics of Porter: Porter is a dark, top- fermented beer. It’s usually a little lighter than stout, although it’s similar in appearance. It’s made with dried brown malt, along with other types of malt (which vary from brewer to brewer) and a generous amount of hops. The fermentation of porter involves ale yeast and it’s alcohol level is typically in the range of 4.5% to 6% by volume. The original gravity is usually between 1.045 and 1.065 and the final gravity falls between 1.010 and 1.020. And because porter usually has more malt and more ingredients overall, you can expect it to be more filling and have more calories than the average beer. A good glass of porter has a full- bodied taste that’s strong and malty. The flavor profile is usually one of roasted malt, and there’s sometimes the flavor of coffee, caramel, chocolate, and/or burnt malt. Many craft brewers have taken this a step further by introducing their own unique ingredient into the brewing process, like honey, maple syrup, additional smoked flavoring, etc. This type of beer tastes best if it’s served a little warmer than other beers. This varies from one brand to another, but I have found that most porters taste good if they are served close to 50 degrees. Good Examples of Porter: Among the better- known manufacturers of beer, some porters that you can easily find and sample would include Sierra Nevada Porter, Sam Adams Honey Porter, and Rogue Mocha Porter. If you happen to live in Ohio or in a state nearby, I recommend trying Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, brewed by the Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a dense, full- bodied beer, and its rich and satisfying. Another excellent regional porter is Alaskan Smoked Porter, brewed by the Alaskan Brewing Company. This beer can be found in the northwestern United States, as well as in the state of Alaska. My all- time favorite porter (among those that are bottled) is Samuel Smith Taddy Porter, brewed in England. This beer exemplifies all that is great about this style of beer. It’s rich, roasty, malty, a little sweet, and a little coffee- like in taste. The appearance is dark brown and it produces a solid head of foam. It’s delicious from start to finish. Final Thoughts: The craft brewing industry has been a godsend to lovers of porter. Many craft brewers, large and small, try to offer at least one type of porter. They are usually very good, full of taste and character. If you live near a small brewery or brewpub, stop by and sample their products. These small breweries often produce the best beer of all. It’s fresh and pure, with no additives and no chance to spoil, like bottled beer. The best porters I have ever tasted were brewed by brewpubs; produced right on the premises, and available only on draft. This style of beer will often cost you a little more money than your standard lagers, but like anything, you have to expect to pay a little more for something that’s good. Porter will continue to be one of my favorite beer styles. Anytime I visit a new brewery or brewpub, or when I’m browsing the beer isle in the store for a new product to try, I usually focus my attention on the darker beers, like porter and stout. They have almost always satisfied my taste buds, and left me wanting more! Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Advice on Other Beer Types: What Should You Know About Pilsner Beers What Should You Know About Blonde Beers What Should You Know about Dunkles Beers What Should You Know About Black & Tan Beers What Should You Know About Stout Beers What Should You Know About IPA Beers What Should You Know About Wheat Beers What Should You Know About Bock Beers What Should You Know About Doppelbock Beers What Should You Know About Ale Beers What Should You Know About Lager Beers  |
| Read all comments (4)|Write your own comment |
- Top 10|
Ads by Google
|
