Fuller's London Porter - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

MonkeymooTJ

California

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

Appearance:

Dark Chocolate with amber undertones when held up to the light. Decent head retention and very little carbonation

Smell:

Slightly roasted coffee scent and a bit of grassy hoppiness

Taste:

Roasted coffee dominance followed by a nutty and slight dark chocolate essence. Mild hop bitterness the is very well balanced

Mouthfeel:

Smooth clean feeling on the palate. Leaves a pleasant lingering coffee taste on the back of the tongue.

Drinkability:

This beer went down extremely easy. The mixture of roasted coffee and dark chocolate along with the hops makes for a smooth satisfying porter with a great lingering aftertaste. I'm looking forward to my next

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-20-2011 13:27:13 | More by MonkeymooTJ

dbmernin83

California

4/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro-tap at Stout in Hollywood.
A-black with a perfect inch-tall khaki head.
S-chocolate. and a little more chocolate.
T-huge chocolate bursting through the nitro smoothness. light roasted coffee notes, dark chocolate finish.
M-creamy nitro milkshake deliciousness.
D-A great English porter that shines on nitrogen. An adult chocolate milkshake. I'll be back for another.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-17-2011 09:43:33 | More by dbmernin83

pleasewearpants

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours beautifully into a Fuller's pint glass. Creamy head with a light roasty malt and chocolately aroma. Flavor is similar. Nitro really helps get er done. Light chocolate notes, perhaps a touch of coffee, amazingly smooth and clean finish. One of my ultimate rainy day beers.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-25-2011 10:44:20 | More by pleasewearpants

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On a whim, picked up a 500ml/16.9 oz nitro-can. Popped the top with a lengthy 'pfffft', poured to a standard pint glass. Printing on the can bottom shows 'FEB 22 09', along with some nonsense...assuming this is around 8.5 months old?

A: Nitro typically earns a better score from me...BUT this only SEEMS like nitro...dunno, just love the cascading head, the effervescing bubbles, the dense cap. No widget, no indication of nitro...looks-wise I was duped, I guess. At its best, a 1+ finger sandy tan head, firm. Quite dark, an ebony that shows amber traces when held to light. Great dollops of foamy lace with a ringing, never-faltering cream.

S: Roasted malt aroma, cocoa nibs and a light vanilla. A pleasant but mentionable mineral twinge.

T: Roast coffee and dark chocolate malts. Soured vagueness ebbs and flows. At times, a softer cocoa, a malted milkball, then rebounds to a deeper and huskier char. Grainy sweetness the intense bitterness, an interesting flavor without being overly complex. Or is it?

M: Creamy is an understatement; thickened feel upfront then a completely silky lightness. Building bitterness rests toward the back of the tongue, a light coffee/dark chocolate roast.

D: A very nice porter, sessionably quaffable. I've had this from a regular tap and bottle, but really enjoy it from the nitro-can best...better yet, I'll search for it on cask! Epitomizes what an English Porter ought to be: rich and roasted malt, chocolate-y aroma, moderate ABV that makes having a couple almost requisite. Alas, I have but one. Recommended.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-05-2009 03:47:22 | More by msubulldog25

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a nitro tap @ BBC in Walpole.

A: Pours with rich thick creamy head of a finger, pitch black color letting no light permeate its walls.

N: creamy nitrous like aromas with touches of roasted malt and chocolate. Pretty smooth aroma.

T: Starts with more of the creamy nitrous and moves to roasted and chocolate malts. More chocolate milk runs over the tongue. A slight coffee taste hits you. Pretty rich and creamy but maintains a light feel.

M: Very rich and creamy, sticks to the sides of the mouth, and as thick as a bull's ass.

F: Finishes not too long but the creamy chocolate hangs around at any part of the mouth it can hide. Stays light on abv and bitterness, but has a nice stouty taste. Light but rich and easy drinking.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-18-2009 16:39:30 | More by jlindros

Arbitrator

California

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On nitro-tap at the Haus Staudt in Redwood City. Chris bought this round, thanks Chris.

A: Pours a pitch black in the glass (as I type this up I realize I've been drinking a lot of dark beers lately...). I watch the bartender pour it over several minutes, and realize that it takes several tries because each dispensation produces a half-foam-half liquid blend. Captivating to watch the cream-tan colored bubbles coalesce into a dark liquid. The final result is an inch of head that retains very well, resolving into a cap approximately half a finger thick. Tons of lacing down the glass as the bubbles deposit everywhere.

S: Milk chocolate, nougat, toasty malt, and nutty brown sugar. It's a little weak in the nose though.

T: Follows the nose perfectly. I realize it's like drinking a Snickers bar from the description; but it's not cloying. It opens up with chocolate and brown sugar; the mid-taste sees nuts, toast, and nougat. But the finish is dry and roasty, even slightly bitter.

M: Medium-bodied. Extremely creamy, velvety, smooth. Just a delight on the tongue.

D: Well, I did an unusual thing (for me) and had a second glass of the same beer. 'Nuff said.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-20-2009 00:27:17 | More by Arbitrator

largadeer

California

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours the darkest of browns, clear where there's opacity with an opaque center. A dense two finger nitro head tops the dark body. The nose is subdued but pleasant; milk chocolate and nougat, burnt toast and light fruitiness. The taste is much bolder though still mellow, opening with a pleasant chocolate and toffee sweetness, leading into a surprisingly dry, bitter and roasty fnish. Medium-bodied, nearly flat in the usual nitro-tap fashion but quite creamy. I put down a couple pints of this in less than an hour and could've gone for another, time permitting. One of my favorite English porters, I'd love to try this on hand pump some time.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-14-2009 05:26:37 | More by largadeer

Offa

California

4.58/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I've been used to this beer from the bottle but recently had it on nitro-tap and it far surpassed just about everyother porter or stout I've had on a nitro tap before, smooth and creamy, not watery, and with full-bodied flavour and character.

It is practically black, just barely a deep red-brown colour being visible. It has a big, thick, creamy dark tan head, shrinking very slowly, leaving ltos of lace, and staying rich and creamy the whole way through.

The aroma is rich chocolate, earthy leaves, light roasted coffee, and hints of caramelised prunes and licorice.

The taste is wonderfully full-bodied with rich chocolate, caramelised fruit, coffee, earthy singed leaves, anise, and fermented prunes near the finish, slightly vinegary. The character is wonderfully balanced and smooth, the elements integrated nicely, and it has definite light sweetness and bitterness.

The feel is excellent. Not only does it have a rich, very creamy had but, unlike others on nitro which may be watery underneath the head, the whole thing is nicely full, creamy, and a bit oily.

This is simply an outstandin porter however you have it.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-05-2009 17:55:40 | More by Offa

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Visited the British Beer Company in Walpole, MA 2/7

Beer poured a deep brown with ruby highlights, one finger off white head that dissapates slowly leaving think lacing behind. Nose is smokey and dark roasted malts, some chocolate and coffee notes as well. Taste is initially of smokey chocolate and coffee. There is a slight hop undertone that gives some bitterness to the beer. Overall, I thought very well balanced. Mouthfeel is lighter bodied, slightly creamy feel to it. This is a great beer - certainly one to sit with for a session.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2009 03:54:41 | More by Jayli

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On nitro-tap 2/7/09 at British Beer Company in Walpole, MA, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of dark roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is malty and slightly smoky up front with flavors of dark chocolate and coffee. The smokiness is done with just the right amount and the beer is well-balanced overall. There's a mild but complimentary hops presence. The after-taste is bitter-sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.

D: Very tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a very good dark beer to drink for a whole evening.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2009 01:21:17 | More by TheManiacalOne

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at british beer company in framingham, ma. pretty sure it was nitro tap.

not too different from the (non-nitro) canned version, it seems. maybe less pronounced chocolate and coffee notes, and overall sweeter, but still just as good. perhaps the nitro also helps with smoothness, but not so much that it really ups the score any bit further.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-01-2008 09:15:49 | More by tai4ji2x

MisterClean

California

3.4/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On nitro at Bonn Lair in Sac.

A - Poured a deep, deep brown, appeared fully-filtered with lots of head from the nitro tap. Light lacing as well.

S - Rich, creamy roasted malts, with a slightly smoky flavor.

T - This beer was very chewy, with a taste of moderate malts, and a slighlty smoky flavor.

M - Very chewy, not bitter whatsoever, but a clean finish.

D - Definitely easy to drink, but would have appreciated something with more taste than smokiness and moderate malt-feel.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-23-2008 07:27:35 | More by MisterClean

DoubleJ

California

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tried it for the first time tonight after coming home from my grandparents house, on to the beer:

A creamy white head sits on top of the black body known as London Porter. It's both light and full of flavor. The taste is a fight between molasses, chocolate, and coffee, but overall it won't wreck your palate and goes down very easy. Finish is semi-dry with smoky tones. This would be some devastating stuff if the pub I had this on-tap tonight served it in a huge one liter mug.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-30-2007 06:27:10 | More by DoubleJ

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed at British Beer Company, Hyannis location.

Presentation is an imperial pint glass, with an excellent 3/4" super-dense nitro head over the medium brown brew. Laced excellently with foam coated the glass sides from top to bottom at the end of the drinking experience. Aroma is medium and dark malts, even apparent through the nitro head. Taste was of the malt, then softened with an almost perfect complementary amount of hops. This brew impressed me by being able to blast its flavor through the normally deadening nitro presentation. This ability combined with the nitro-smoothing effect made the mouthfeel and drinkability tops in my book.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-02-2004 23:28:03 | More by ppoitras

jreitman

California

3.38/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a beautiful black with that oh so beautiful nitro head. Smell was rather subdued. Overall I found the beer pretty bland. Their was a rather odd, "fruity but not in a good way" taste that I couldn't quite pin. Will have to try this one at another bar and see if it is any better. General overall impressions was not positive.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-17-2003 11:31:20 | More by jreitman

IdeaSpeeder

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.75

Serving Type - 500ml can poured into nonic pint glass.

Appearance - Pours a dark brown color. Sort of cola coloured when held up to the light. 1/1.5 fingers of off white, creamy coloured fluffy head crown the beer. The head shows no signs of going away. Quite pretty.

Smell - Strong smell of chocolate right away, followed by some caramel notes. Some light coffee and roasted malts. Another reviewer pointed out mollasses which is present as well.

Taste - Very chocolatey, more so that i expected. There are also some coffee and roasted malts that were in the aroma as well. There is also a light taste of nut towards the middle. Yumm

Mouthfeel - Very low carbonation. Heavy body makes this one a sipper. A truly world class beer (almost) ruined by nitro. Bleh (spit).

Overall - 3.75/5

Serving type: nitro-can

05-23-2013 03:42:59 | More by IdeaSpeeder

gr0g

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very dark brown, but not quite opaque. One finger of foam that leaves a small lace crown around the pint glass. Nutty and chocolatey aromas. Generic roasted nut aroma, but it's a freshly roasted scent that's very nice. Hazelnut and chocolate note, think Nutella. The first whiff is very pleasurable, probably this beer's best attribute.

Roasted malt flavors with a balancing bitterness throughout. Closer to a brown ale than a rich stout in terms of dark malt character. Fruity esters can still be detected. Some coffee and licorice on the finish. Soft, slick mouthfeel. A bit more carbonation would help, but this is pleasantly smooth without a trace of harshness as-is.

London Pride is a great dark ale that's more than the sum of its parts. Everything comes together to yield a porter that's tasty and easy to knock back, if not quite at sessionable ABV levels. While generally $10+ per sixer (in NJ, eastern US), it's worth the price tag.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 03:10:36 | More by gr0g

MeadEater

Ontario (Canada)

3.59/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Immediate off putting aroma. Wasn't pleasant in my opinion. Smelled a bit like something rotted. Poured to a mild 1" head. Solid lacing. Dark walnut colour, almost opaque.
Heavy molasses taste. For me, that's a good thing! Subtle chocolate and caramel notes, but overall sweet and molassesy. Not too astringent. A little thick on the tongue, but it is a porter.
Would definitely have bought a few for tonight had I known I would have liked it so much.

Serving type: can

05-21-2013 03:02:12 | More by MeadEater

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

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

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

barczar

Kentucky

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

Pours an almost opaque deep brown with ruby highlights and a frothy half inch khaki head that dissipates moderately, leaving sheets of lacing.

Chocolate and toasted malt are evident as soon as the bottle is opened. Rich roasted malt is not at all charred, giving a coffee-like impression. Caramel nuttiness and hints of dark fruit add complexity.

Chocolate and a hint of roast open the flavor profile, initially dominating the slightly buttery, toasted, nutty caramel malt backbone. The finish is slightly dry. Malt character is very rich, with hints of dark cherries and coffee complementing the slightly sweet malt body.

Body is a touch full, with moderate carbonation.

Excellent beer. Not at all acrid, plenty of chocolate, not overly sweet. Very well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 21:39:17 | More by barczar

PaterMorse

Indiana

4.31/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As I sit in the loft of a favorite London pub, I swear the setting has nothing to do with the fact that I've happened upon one of my favorite beers. OK, very little to do with it....

Either way, this beer is simply a winner all around.

A quick review follows (pecked out on PDA, to commemorate a new friend):

A: Raisin colored, translucent. Think Pepsi after ice starts to melt. Quarter-inch head remains for a good little while, giving way to some nice lacing.

S: Very pleasant, mild. Choco-coffee, but yet earthy/grassy. Hints of red berries.

T: Very easy, very drinkable (dangerously drinkable, in fact!). Coffee aftertaste (coffee ice cream, to be precise).

M: Excellent balance. Perhaps I'm just off here, but it seemed wet on the tongue but dry on the finish. Near perfect. A bit higher carbonation than I'd expect and not "Guinness velvety smooth" -- which isn't a knock, but a point of comparison (and a note that the taste and aroma are silkier than mouthfeel).

O: A great new staple. Recognizing that the following is relative to taste preferences, the universe of beers you've tried, and how one defines a "macro-brew," this is [by far] the best macro-brew dark beer / porter / stout that I've had to date -- with the exception of Samuel Smith's very fine pours. Very enjoyable, great drinkability. For whatever it's worth, it also kicks more than 5.4% would suggest.

Repeat? Absolutely. It will rival Sam Smith, nudge Guinness to the back of the 'fridge, and all but extinguish future purchase of Murphy's when stocking good macro-brew stouts/porters for gatherings. {Two disclaimers: I'm not seeking to provoke debate by suggesting porters and stouts are interchangeable; I'm only confessing that porters & stouts are my favorite beers and the only types of beer regularly stocked in my refrigerator. I'm also not suggesting London Porter is as fun or complex or even as tasty as some other craft stouts/porters I've enjoyed/reviewed; but for the beers brewed by a seemingly large scale brewer (and, heck, for ANY brewer anywhere), this is VERY tough to beat!!}.

Where Best Enjoyed? I suspect anywhere, anytime. That said, I can guarantee it will be wildly enjoyed if any / all of the following are true: (a) you're in a pub on the fringe of Covent Garden with friends and family; (b) you're just digging in to a piping hot Sunday roast; and/or (c) it's one of those piercingly cold English days outside and yet you're sitting near a fireplace with no place to be anytime soon.

Two Words: London Perfect

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 02:48:36 | More by PaterMorse

fdig23

Pennsylvania

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

From the bottle.

Appearance: Quintessential porter. Deep dark black. Perfectly fluffy tan head.

Nose: Chocolate and smoke. Burnt toast. Creamy vanilla.

Taste: Restrained doses of chocolate and charcoal. Super balanced and drinkable. There's a wisp of smoke over everything and an earthiness keeping it from being overly sweet.

Mouthfeel: Light but creamy. Endlessly drinkable.

Overall: The shining example of a quaffable porter. Packed full of earthy flavors with just enough sweetness to keep you coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 20:28:48 | More by fdig23

John_Henry

Japan

3.71/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This is a great porter. Pretty much what you would expect. My only concern is that this is a little thin, especially in comparison to the Kernel and a number of other exceptional porters I've had lately. That said, I would certainly have this again, and could even see myself having a session of it if it were on tap.

Overall, certainly worth a go, but not in the same league as the Kernel.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 17:18:47 | More by John_Henry