Porter Recommendations

Flying Dog Gonzo and Ballast Victory at Sea are my two favorites. The Polish porters are also excellent, as the above post states.

 

It's a damn shame that we're on page 2 and no one has mentioned Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter.

My two other favorites are easily Founders' and Smuttynose Robust Power. GL Edmund Fitzgerald and Deschutes Black Butte, though I've only had each once, are both fantastic.

Boulevard's Bully! Power is pretty good, but I would stay away from Maine Beer Co's King Titus. MBC makes great (if overpriced) beer, but King Titus tasted like cigarette ash.

 

I'm a big Porter guy as well; the first ones that come to mind (in order) are London Porter, Black Butte, Founders, Anchor and Sam Smith's Taddy Porter. London Porter has always been one of my favorite beers

 

I recently tried Saranac, a NY brewery's Caramel Porter. It was divine.

 

Arcadia London Porter hits the note for the winter months...just the right amount of smoked malt.

 

My three favourite porters are Eddy Fitz, Founders and Black Butte but a couple that rival them include O'Dell's Cutthroat and Tyranena's Coffee Porter. The former is very much akin the easily sessionable ones that make up my faves and the latter is quite similar Founder's Breakfast Stout, imo. Every bit as good, too (I may be suffering from FBS overkill). Also, although the reviews don't treat it as kindly, I really liked Ass Kisser's porter as well. Samuel Smith's Taddy porter is also phenomenal.

If you like porters, you'll probably dig Surly Bender, a very rich brown ale that also has a coffee version.

 

Want classic porter? Fuller's London Porter. Want to buy an American classic? Anchor Porter.

 

And then come up with your own personal explanation of what characteristics distinguish porters from stouts, based entirely upon your own experience.

Better yet, pick up some Anchor or, if accessible, Mayflower.

 

Another vote for meantime!

 

Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter is my recommendation too.

 

I don't have anything new to provide, but here is another vote for either Anchor Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Samuel Smith's Famous Taddy Porter, or Smuttynose Robust Porter.

 

If you're in New England, Mayflower Porter is a must try.

 

Stone smoked porter w/vanilla beans. Awesome. I didn't try the one with chiles in it, but heard it was good. I'll second Black Butte and the imperial version of blacke butte every year is amazing.

 

Morke Pumpernickel Porter. It's a Norwegian (I think, maybe Swedish) porter that's very good and a bit under rated.

 

Bells porter. Taddy porter. Gonzo.

 

Ed Fitzgerald is amazing. Smuttynose Robust Porter is excellent as is Black Butte. SN Porter is very solid and inexpensive.

 

Some of my favorites:

Smuttynose Robust Porter
Mayflower Porter
CCB Jose Marti
Meantime Coffee Porter
NEBCO Ghost Pigeon Porter

 

Alpha Klaus is great. For an everyday porter. Black Butte.

 

Not sure if you're in the New ENgland area, but if so be sure to grab six pack of Mayflower Porter. It's the best Porter I have ever had. Also from New England is Smuttynose Robust Porter and Long Trail Coffee Porter. All three of those beers kick mega ass.

As for widely distributed....if you can get Founder Porter is excellent (I'd put it right behind Mayflower's on my list). Also, Sierra Nevada makes a good porter.

 

Can't go wrong with Stone Smoked Porter! pretty tasty and only like 3$ And easily obtained. And the one with vanilla is extra awesome!