Porter - Brown Porter

BJCP 15-B

AROMA

Malt aroma with mild roastiness should be evident. Hop aroma may be moderate to low. Esters and diacetyl may be moderate to none.

APPEARANCE

Medium brown to dark brown in color. Clarity and head retention should be fair to good.

FLAVOR

Malt flavor will include mild to moderate roastiness. Hop flavor low to none. Hop bittering will vary the balance from slightly malty to slightly bitter. Diacetyl, and sourness or sharpness from dark grains, should be low to none.

MOUTH FEEL

Medium-light to medium bodied. Low to moderate carbonation

OVERALL

A fairly substantial dark ale with some roasty characteristics

INGREDIENTS

May contain several malts, including dark roasted malts and grains. Hops are used chiefly for bitterness. Water should have significant carbonate hardness. Ale yeast, or occasionally lager yeast, is used.

COMMENTS

Softer flavors, lower gravities, and usually less alcohol than robust porter. More substance and roast than brown ale. Some versions are fermented with lager yeast. Balance tends toward malt more than hops.

HISTORY

Originating in England, porter evolved from a blend of beers or gyles known as "Entire." A precursor to stout. Said to have been favored by porters and other physical laborers.

COMMERCIAL EXAMPLES

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter, Bateman Salem Porter, Shepherd Neame Original Porter, Yuengling Porter, Fuller's London Porter

VITAL

OG: 1.040-1.050 IBUs: 20-30 FG: 1.008-1.014 SRM: 20-35 ABV: 3.8-5.2%