Porter
Russian River Brewing Company

PorterPorter
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From:
Russian River Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American Porter
Ranked #26
ABV:
5.75%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,798
Avg:
4.14 | pDev: 9.66%
Reviews:
88
Ratings:
369
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 03, 2024
Added:
Jun 14, 2004
Wants:
  166
Gots:
  33
From our humble beginnings at our original location at Korbel Champagne Cellars in 1997, the first beer we ever brewed was Russian River Porter. For us it is a little nostalgic thinking back when it was just Vinnie (and occasionally Wentzel) brewing in one of the original buildings at Korbel, just a stone's throw away from the old brandy tower. We love this beer's chocolate, toffee, tobacco, and caramel notes long with its dry finish. Enjoy!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BrewerB:
Photo of BrewerB
Reviewed by BrewerB from North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Had on tap at Triple Rock in Berkeley, CA.

Appeared a night black color with a light tan head. Great foam retention.

Aroma included hints of coffee, light smoky/charcoal, chocolate, and plenty of roast. Mild hop presence but I couldn't pick out the nuances.

Deliciously roasty and robust with loads of coffee and chocolate flavor. Moderate level of bitterness paired nicely with the malt backbone.

Medium/medium-full body, moderate carbonation, smooth.

Were my brother and I not on a time crunch, I'd have loved a couple more pints. Easily one of the better robust porters I've sampled.
Dec 22, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of rand
Reviewed by rand from California

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at O’Brien’s for tion weekend. Seemed appropriate to review the most traditional brew of them all.

Medium-light complexion, wispy head dissipated quickly. Nutty aromas, with notes of toasted cocoa and sweet bread.

Flavors are really reigned in, tight and singular but complex. Toasted oak, unsweetened cocoa, touch of brown sugar. Grainy, bready, with a quick finish.

Beer is the result of a lifetime of honing and fine-tuning the craft. Pretty much as good as a porter gets.
Feb 03, 2024
 
Rated: 3.97 by Lucnifter from California

Jan 01, 2024
 
Rated: 3.92 by Gagnonsux from Texas

Dec 31, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by beersampler6 from Michigan

Sep 23, 2023
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Rated by Dwarfrat

1.62/5  rDev -60.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2
Took a sip.
Poured it out.
Very disappointed.
Jun 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.46 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Jun 18, 2023
Photo of MaddDoGG5150
Reviewed by MaddDoGG5150 from California

4.19/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep, dark brown, almost black color. With an off-white foam head.

Aroma: roasted malts, chocolate, toffee. A little bit earthy.

Taste: Toffee and light dark chocolate. Some coffee, almost creamy cappuccino notes. A little bit of hoppy bitterness That lingers around in the finish, but lightly.

Overall: This is a very tasty brew. Will buy again.
Jun 08, 2023
Photo of Shiredave
Reviewed by Shiredave from New York

4.39/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This review is an invalid evaluation of the current Porter, though since I have not had a RR Porter in over 20 years it may very well apply. But somehow I kind of doubt it.
My RR Porter came in 1999 (2000?) from a small 3-4 seat bar at the Korbel Champagne Winery somewhere around Healdsburg CA ( think Bear Republic) and within a stones throw of the Russian River while taking a few days vacation after a week of work in Palo Alto.
Beginning to buzz from the wine tasting in the barn across the property, I had a pint ( IPA I think) and purchased several bottles to take home to NY. Simple labels, all still in my pals collection. The Porter and IPA were of course the standouts.
This Porter still sets the American style standard for me - full of chocolate malt and caramel flavors, smokey coffee notes, a solid west coast hop bite with that RR yeast signature that lives on today.
Medium bodied and rich in fresh grain flavor and deft hop additions that compliment the malt profile.
Exceptional if only in my dreams.
Jun 04, 2023
Photo of RaulMondesi
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Hollingshead’s in Orange, CA.

Cole Porter? Honestly, that’s the only one I know because I’m buzzing. Choo Cho! Like Thomas with his first girl - he shoots! He scores! Pele on a good day! Hat trick hero! The Hand Of God Argentine guy! We win! Let’s win! Let’s go! Awoooooooo!
Feb 20, 2023
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz can. Label has 'CANNED ON: 30 SEP 2022'.
Ruby brown colored body. Light tan head, initially at two fingers reduces to an interrupted cap and ring. Leaves behind long strings of lacing.
Aroma is roasted malts, with toffee, caramel, and chocolate smells.
Taste has a char overlay, with flavors of toffee, caramel and chocolate. Has a touch of tobacco. The more smokey, burnt flavors extend into the aftertaste.
Medium plus mouth feel. Very dry finish. Good carbonation.
Rather old school and without added flavors, this porter is very good, and the dry finish entices rapid imbibing.
Dec 27, 2022
 
Rated: 4.04 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jul 27, 2022
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Rated by 4DAloveofSTOUT from Illinois

4.42/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Have wanted to try this beer since 2010 when I learned of it existence. What a great porter! This one did not disappoint.
Feb 18, 2022
 
Rated: 3.98 by Mista_Carta from California

Dec 30, 2021
Photo of sjrider
Reviewed by sjrider from California

4.19/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can pour- black coffee with big khaki head leaving scattered frosty lacing. Nose is roasty and chocolatey. Taste follows with a bit of bitterness and spice. Lingering dry finish. Tasty.
Nov 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4.1 by InfernoBoss from California

Jul 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.74 by Vylo from New Jersey

Jul 04, 2021
Photo of Todd
Reviewed by Todd from Finland

4.57/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
16oz canned on 12/08/2020. Sample from the brewery. Thanks, Vinnie!

Pours pitch black, dark ruby edges, massive two-fingered, tan colored head. Light coffee, chocolate, tobacco, and dark bread in the nose. Silky smooth on the palate with a medium body and some creaminess. First sip brings brownies with slightly burnt edges to mind. Rich, malty sweet upfront with caramel, toasted malts, roasty bitterness, cocoa, chocolate, spice, black treacle, a little tangy, burnt, semi-acrid, smoke, and a bit of ashiness. Finish is bone-dry with some breadiness.

This is one of the best unadulterated Porters that I've had in recent years. A classic. Reminds me of Porters from the late 90s, which makes sense as this was the first beer that Russian River ever brewed. So damn good.
Mar 14, 2021
 
Rated: 4.17 by jakecattleco from California

Jan 02, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Jun 09, 2020
Porter from Russian River Brewing Company
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 369 ratings