Fuller's London Porter - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

GMB

Japan

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fuller's London porter pours a gorgeous black body that shows glimpses of deep red when held against a strong light source. A standard pour yields a thick cappuccino head with a bit of staying power that leaves bands of lace on the glass as it slowly falls.

The nose is clean and inviting. Deep, roasted malts suggest coffee and warm chocolate without losing their grainy identity.

The taste follows the nose closely, with the important addition of a beautiful bitter hang. The bitterness sustains the illusion of dark chocolate and dark, roasted coffee without concealing the sweetness of the malt. The beer's relatively low alcohol content also allows the toasted malts to suggest nutty flavors. I pick up a bit of toasted almond. The beer's overall balance yields a delicious porter that is clean, markedly drinkable, and refreshing.

The beer's body is full, but could be a bit thicker and more viscid.

A recent wave of American porters in which adjuncts or specialized malts are used to foreground the flavors that classical porters like this one suggest Here, I am thinking of the dozens of nutty (e.g., pecan) porters, chocolate porters, coffee porters, etc., that I have tried in recent years. Fuller's London Porter achieves similar effects while maintaining a lightness and drinkability. Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 23:20:54 | More by GMB

aty11b

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1%

05-14-2013 00:06:58 | More by aty11b

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

3.5/5  rDev -16.9%

05-12-2013 16:37:14 | More by Whiskeydeez

SSEngelbrecht

Louisiana

3.83/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

London Porter pours a rich, dark brown with a nice head that remains for a while before leaving a nice sticky lacing.

The aroma does not give away all that this beer has to offer in taste.

The big flavors from the roasted barley and bitter hops are apparent as soon as this touches your tongue. What I found was that this beer really doesn't open up until it comes close to room temperature.

Once warmed, the caramel and cocoa shine through as well as notes of spice and coffee that were hidden at lower temperatures.

This has a medium mouthfeel that gets thicker as the brew warms.

Overall, there is a reason this is a classic. It is not as adventurous as many new craft porters, but it is solid and there is a lot to appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 15:00:14 | More by SSEngelbrecht

DanGeo

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-12-2013 03:22:54 | More by DanGeo

tigernipples

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-11-2013 04:01:16 | More by tigernipples

JamesGWittel

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1%

05-09-2013 15:56:29 | More by JamesGWittel

dalepryor

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-08-2013 03:20:03 | More by dalepryor

Cramshawbar

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -16.9%

05-05-2013 23:37:12 | More by Cramshawbar

McBraniel

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-02-2013 04:05:40 | More by McBraniel

powdersoldier

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

04-27-2013 17:40:30 | More by powdersoldier

ohiobeer29

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +1%

04-27-2013 03:56:31 | More by ohiobeer29

scmoore81

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

04-26-2013 23:31:09 | More by scmoore81

chippo33

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

04-25-2013 00:51:44 | More by chippo33

jmwildwest

Florida

4/5  rDev -5%

04-22-2013 19:10:28 | More by jmwildwest

Bluecane

North Carolina

2.25/5  rDev -46.6%

04-21-2013 06:39:20 | More by Bluecane

civicm87

New York

4/5  rDev -5%

04-21-2013 02:55:36 | More by civicm87

carlitosbronson1

California

4/5  rDev -5%

04-19-2013 03:18:28 | More by carlitosbronson1

saburky

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5%

04-18-2013 14:44:42 | More by saburky

jiffymon

New York

4/5  rDev -5%

04-16-2013 19:59:15 | More by jiffymon

wehttam

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%

04-15-2013 14:29:28 | More by wehttam

AugustusRex

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -28.7%

04-12-2013 22:28:32 | More by AugustusRex

Bosoxfan20

Oklahoma

4.29/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. Pours a very dark mohagany that is almost black. 1 finger tan head that's quite fluffy. It quickly dissipates, but I won't knock it too much since a smaller layer of foam continues to linger throughout the drink. Fantastic sticky lacing.

S- Some intense roasted notes. Chocolate, coffee bean, mocha, molasis, english/crystal malts, and a touch of smoke.

T- A lot going on here. Nicely follows the headway the nose made. Sweet up front with the coffee and chocolate. A great roasted, warm finish with just a touch of bitterness from the hops to create the right amount of balance for the style. Layers of flavor.

M- Creamy, smooth, and drinkable. A little wet as it covers the tounge, but generates a dry finish. Everything you want here.

O- Another classic by Fullers. One of my favorite porters. So complex and so delicious. A brew that is tough to set the glass down. I felt like I just poured it, started making notes on the review, and before i knew it, it was all gone. Now I'm a little sad that I don't have another.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 17:04:25 | More by Bosoxfan20

Stew4106

Louisiana

4.39/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

I feel that the beer has the same appearance, smell, and taste as previouse reviews. I am writing this to note that the roasted hops come on strong and one would expect a powerful taste, but this beer is suprisingly light an complex given its rich and dark smell and appearance.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 23:37:25 | More by Stew4106

IanSpindler

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

04-05-2013 22:52:59 | More by IanSpindler