Porters: why bother?

on SN its IBU and bitter factor to me. I can tell those apart even though the ABV is nearly the same. THEY are Both thin to me, compared to a stronger ABV...

 

“Why do I think there's a difference and have a clear preference if apparently there is none? Is it all in my head?”

I am assuming that those at rhetorical questions? In case they aren’t rhetorical, all that I can say is that I am not a Psychiatrist so the best I could do is guess at some answers to your ‘issues’.

I would suggest that you are better served by just reading the numerous responses to your thread which state: there is no difference between Stouts and Porters in modern day beers.

Cheers!

 

yes the head is where the taste buds sent the signal. and its where they send the signal to post on BA.

Its ok some topics just do not work well on paper and sober, they are best discussed half shot in a real craft beer bar (a quiet one) or at home with friends.

 

This thread reminds me, I should pick up some founders porter tonight.

 

I don't think you're in a big minority; I just think people are more likely to pile on in conflict than agreement. I'm more or less in your corner ... though maybe it's 7 or 8 out of 10 times instead of 9.

To be quantitative, look at ratings as a guide. There are more big stouts in the top 250 and the top 50 Imperial Stouts range from 4.4 - 4.8. (Though, to be fair, the ratings for the top 50 American Porters are very high too.) Granted, rating something very highly doesn't mean it's what you're likely to reach for on any given day, but it does give some directional info on preferences.

Which leads me to an interesting tangent - Stanford's study of beer ratings among experts and novices:

http://www.businessinsider.com/stanford-expert-versus-beginner-study-beers-2013-9

 

Victory at sea!

Also, I'd drink alewerks bourbon barrel porter all day long if I could!!! Amazing!

 

Well, I'll just say that acording to your qualified objections, just possibly a porter could be the ale version of a schwarzbier. Sometimes a nice roasty dark lager, easy to drink, is perfect for food, weather, or mood. I never expect a stout and a porter to be alike. Sometimes I'm wrong. Generally the porter is faster down the hatch!

 

"challenge accepted"
this sounds like an excellent way to spend a birthday, anniversary, or, uh, Tuesday.

I consider Founders (delicious) more of a stout and in fact my clone attempt of it, dry-hopped, kicks ass as BJCP 13E American Stout.

The others? - I can absolutely tell you which is which, even with the surprisingly small portion of roast barley and large amount of black patent in Obsidian.

cheers--
--Michael

 

IPAs, why bother?

 

A true Porter should be vinegar like sour. If you are interested in further information on this, you might want to read 'Wheeler's Porter.'

 

....victory at sea

 

For your consideration: Devil Made Me Do It, an extremely tasty coffee imperial oatmeal porter.

 

Alaskan Smoked Porter so good fresh or aged

 

Yeah I agree, no reason to start arguements. It seemed like OP saying, "No one should ever drink porters" started the arguement.

Oh yeah... You are the OP.

 

What, did you expect everyone to say, "Hey, he's right, why should I bother with Porters"?

 

I think you just gave them an idea for a new line of dark beers. The Breakfast Porters.

 

Blurred lines, and no naked women; who would of thunk it? Seriously, I can see the argument for the hard to distinguish angle now that I've read through the thread because Velvet Merlin is classified as a stout, but has low abv and reminds me more of the porters I've had. I usually prefer a big , bad, IRS over all else in the choco coffee category, but it's not always practical or wise to start the day with one of those monsters. One of my favorite holiday drinks is a good, fresh, hazelnut coffee with a healthy jigger of Irish Cream on top, and I can even get my wife to drink that!

 

Porters to me, are kind of like a sessionable stout. Sometimes I dont want an overly sweet alcohol bomb. I desire the roasty flavors, but want something I can have a few of, this is why I "bother" with a porter. My favorites are Founders, Smuttynose Robust, Edmund Fitzgerald and Black Butte.