trying my first porter

Founders is my favorite. There are three others I don't see listed here that I recommend, dc brau penn quarter, Caldera mogli, and Anderson valley wild turkey. All awesome. I can get any of them if you need... Another easy to find option is 3 beans.

 

I have never had a craft Porter that was not good, try anyone you want.

 

Good call. That's aming my favorite porters.

OP, you can't go wrong with any of the beers listed. The onyl suggestion I have, is (as someone else has said) don't start w/ an imperial porter, or anything too high in ABV. For example, Evil Twin Lil' B is 11.5% ABV. Damn good, but might be tough for a first try.

 

Go English and go Fullers.

 

Your thoughts are correct. Midwest porters are fantastic and GL/Founders make some of the most flavorful porters out there.

If you happen to be in Denver, Odell Cutthroat is great, but you don't need to go trading for it or anything.

If you want an imperial porter, there will be a lot more variation on the style, but in a good way. Gonzo from Flying Dog is solid and very readily available, also is in a BA version. Victory at Sea with coffee and vanilla is fantastic. Deschutes Black Butte is fantastic, but their anniversary series (ie XXIV, XXV) sets the bar for the style.

Enjoy your forays into an oft-underrated and incredibly flavorful style

 

That is my go-to case. Awesome variety of beers, amazing quality, and excellent price ($30-35 bucks a case where I'm at typically, sometimes as low as $27-28).

 

New Glarus Old English Porter. If you want a TRUE Porter.

 

Ha...you better tell him to expect some bold sour notes which I didn't expect.

 

Don't know about Founders and Bell's etc, but you can't go wrong with Deschuttes Black Butte Porter and Smuttynose Robust.

 

I provided a link with the description.

 

Well, I should have clicked on your link. You're too much of a veteran for me to doubt you even 1 smidgeon.

 

For my 2 cents, Taddy porter is amazing, and Smuttynose robust porter is pretty good as well.
Meantime coffee porter is FANTASTIC..........its also fantastically expensive, but worth it if you find it and got the cash.

Don't try yuengling porter however, I found it to be prettttttty painfully below average.

 

As far as porters go, you can't go wrong with Fullers London Porter or Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter for an English porter. For an American porter, Odell Cutthroat Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Founders Porter and Big Sky Cowboy Coffee Porter are all solid choices. I'll even recommend Boulevard Bully Porter, though it's considered an English style porter. Enjoy!

 

I enjoy Old Leghumper by Thirsty Dog as well, and it should be relatively easy to find around you as well.

 

Its too bad you can't get odell's cut throat porter. Hands down its been my favorite for years.

 

Yeah, but that's the style. It is a throwback to the old 'Pennsylvania Porters'- some corn in the grist to lighten the body, and fermented with lager yeast. Honestly, it's more of an easy-drinking Schwartzbier, though historically they were called Porter. If you don't go into it expecting a heavier English-style beer it does have its own charm.

 

I went on the New Glarius website and not only do they consider that beer a very limited release, they also don't distribute to the OP's state. I think he wants something he can buy locally today. Also, I wouldn't recommend sour porter to someone unfamiliar with the style, just like I wouldn't recommend Devil Dancer to someone who never had an IPA. Baby steps man, baby steps. Just sayin'.

 

I know, that is why I threw in the at the end. I wanted some others to check it out, because it is not what we perceive Porters to be today.

 

Oh yes, a veteran that learned more about this style 3 days ago! LOL.

 

Totally agree...After Eddie Fitz and Founders Porters...Everything else seems disappointing.
The Big Eddy Baltic Porter was pretty tasty, too.