Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter - Great Lakes Brewing Company

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.09/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Pipeworks snifter.

A- pours lack with a 2 finger tan head. Random blotches and trails of lacing remain on the glass.

S- nice roast, dark chocolate, some molasses and light coffee.

T- semi sweet chocolate, roasted malts, light dark fruits, and some pine.

M- medium body and carbonation. Smooth and a little slick.

O- good porter with nice roast and semi sweet notes. After having Founders the other day his doesn't quite stack up to it but still very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 05:56:06 | More by kawilliams81

AmitC

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

Thin dark brown pour. Excellent one finger thick tan colored head with excellent retention. Superb lacing on the sides. For a porter this one achieves a lot. Opaque and dark black inside the glass with slight ruby hues.

Aroma is of a mildly roasted malts. A little bit of sweetness and easy body.

A good amount of roasted malts that are strong and powerful. Very easy on the palate. Finish is dry with some twist of sweetness blended in. Very light.

Mouth feel is light to slightly medium on the side. Very easy drinking and smooth brew.

Don't know why this is so highly rated. This one is to the par but not that good.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:23:10 | More by AmitC

centurian62

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I bought this beer because I couldn't find anything else that looked appealing at the small store I stopped at. It was one of the few beers they stocked in the Porter or Stout category. I'm glad I did purchase it. It pours very nicely with just the right amount of head. The smell is superb and gives hints of chocolate and malt. I found that the taste was slightly behind the smell but not far. It still has a great taste and a nice chocolaty finish. I found this beer to be a great go-to even when other Porters or Stouts are available. I think I will add this to the "grab it if they've got it" list for my wife when she makes her trips to the store for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 19:44:41 | More by centurian62

Gavage

New Jersey

4.31/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: pours a dark brown color with a 2" head that slowly falls. Some moderate lace paints the glass.

Smell: mild roasted tones with some chocolate aromas.

Taste: moderate roasted malt profile, with chocolate, some dark fruit swetness, and a nice bitterness create a well balanced beer.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp from start to finish. Afteraste is short lived but pleasant on the tongue.

Overall: this is a real flavorful porter that is easy to drink. Very sessionable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 18:42:01 | More by Gavage

Uniobrew31

Pennsylvania

4.61/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: very dark, thin head, classic porter appearance

S: sweet and malty.

T: right on the verge of boozy. Little hop charictar which lets you taste the almost 6% abv. Rich and malty sweetness. Very tasty

M: smooth and light on the pallet. No pucker at the back end. Easy and pleasing
to drink

O: a world class porter. The best strait up unflavored no frills old fashioned traditional porter I have tried in a long while. This one could beat most porters I have had in the Pepsi challenge any day. Priced reasonably and worth every penny.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 02:33:10 | More by Uniobrew31

JPlo

Maryland

4.11/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Almost black color with a light tan head. Head is moderately lasting with great lacing.

Aroma: Sweet, chocolaty, caramelly

Taste: Sweet, caramelly, nutty, smoky. mild hops creates a very nice bitter-sweet flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, silky consistency and an average finish.

Very good Porter, yet a little too "traditional" for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 18:18:01 | More by JPlo

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great dark amber appearance without too much head. Chocolate, coffee, creamy noted aroma. Smells great. Great complex, nuanced, and full bodied flavor gives way to a spicy, cherry and floral aftertaste. Finishes strong.

It's nice to have a beer that goes beyond the typical chocolate malty flavors and into something much more meaningful. We look forward to trying this beer on draught.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 07:26:48 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

TheLostGringo

Connecticut

4.16/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. Poured into a Tulip.

A: Dark dark brown almost black with little to no head.

S: Dark Chocolate, Mild Coffee Notes, Pleasant Malt aromas.

T: Mild Coffee flavors, bitter Chocolate, Roasted Malts with a pleasant bitter finish.

M: Ideal mouth feel for an American Porter, not to thick but silky and drinkable.

O: An Excellent Porter and a great example of the style. Top 10 American Porter in my mind.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 16:14:59 | More by TheLostGringo

KelsoSaaz

New York

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

12oz bottle into nonic pint. Enjoy by date is 06/26/13

A: Deep, black-brown coffee color, with mahogany tones when held up to light. Thin, quickly dissipating, khaki head leaving little lacing.

S: Dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, light and sweet toasted bread malts.

T: Warm, dark, chocolate , followed by slightly burnt toast, bittersweet espresso with slightly smokiness in the finish. Very little in the way of hop bitterness. Excellent

M: Medium body with moderate carbonation. It has a silky and soft mouthfeel.

O: One outstanding American porter. It's super flavorful without being overwhelming and is perfectly balanced. This is one of my favorite beers for wintertime. GLBC continues to amaze.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 21:55:41 | More by KelsoSaaz

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I bought a six-pack of this venerable, much-hailed Porter at the liquor store in Kimbark Plaza, Hyde Park, Chicago a while back and am finally getting to the review. Twelve oz. brown bottle with "Enjoy By 3/27/13" printed on the label served in my Chimay chalice.

Appearance (4/5): Edmund Fitzgerald is dark brown, almost black, and you can see red-brown highlights when holding the beer up to the light. It is topped by a one-finger khaki head of creamy foam that recedes quickly. A good looking Porter, but I would have liked to see a more generous, longer-lived head.

Smell (3.75/5): EF features aromatic notes of dark fruit, mainly raisins, dark chocolate, burnt malt, roasty, nutty. Not especially pungent, but nicely balanced and inviting enough. No booze (not that you thought there'd be any in a beer clocking in at 5.8% ABV) and none of that off-putting metallic smell that spells spoilage. Good enough.

Taste (4.25/5): EF really scores well in the category of true consequence: taste! It's roasty, features a light hop bitterness, and plenty of black coffee, chocolate, dark bread, and fruity raisin-like flavors. A tad of caramel sweetness lurks in there. Light burnt malt, a touch of smoke, and also tad nutty. This is a nicely complex, yet balanced American Porter. Very tasty and, I have to say, the flavor is more interesting than the smell. I really am enjoying how well the beer warms and how easy-drinking it is.

Mouthfeel (4.25/5): Medium carbonation, medium body, appropriate to a porter. Light bitterness works the palate only moderately. The beautiful thing about this beer is that it goes down easy–it's just so slick and smooth on the tongue. Drinkability is exceptional.

Overall (4.25/5): Edmund Fitzgerald is a very good American Porter. It is nicely complex yet beautifully balanced and features a great array of flavors. Very drinkable and tasty. Though perhaps not as incredible, in my opinion, as the BA score indicates, it is an outstanding value and one of those perfect beers for the cold weather.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 06:14:27 | More by hagbergl

57md

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance was chocolate brown with a finger of tan head. There was little retention of the head and only a minimal amount of lace remaining on the glass. Not much of a nose to this offering, maybe a touch of roast. The flavor was roasty, but not quite what I would term robust. There was a very interesting combination of dry bitterness and sweet milk on the finish. A solid porter, but not the best around.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2013 07:01:17 | More by 57md

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

A. A deep dark almost black brown with a tan head that leaves lacing on the sides of the glass.

S. A smoky coffee aroma with some dark chocolate.

T. A decent coffee flavor with some dark bitter chocolate and roasted malts.

M. A creamy mouthfeel with a very smooth finish.

O. A very well balanced beer with great balance. It goes down smoothly and I feel like I could drink a couple of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 01:55:42 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

CurtFromHershey

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a near black with khaki head which runs down to a thin and persistent layer of silkey lacing.

Smells of roasted barley, coffee, toasted dark bread.

Taste is predominantly roasted malt with hints of coffee. Nothing spectacular.

Mouthfeel thinner than the appearance implies. Slightly overcarbonated.

Overall, a solid brew I'd buy again. Not quite as good as I've been lead to believe though.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 00:50:01 | More by CurtFromHershey

merc7186

New York

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at McGregors in Amherst NY, poured into a pilsner glass.

A: Dark Opaque Hue, Passes Almost No Light, Thing Brown Head, Great Lacing

S: Coffee, Milk Chocolate, Mildly Roasted Dark Malts

T: Coffee, Dark Chocolate Malts

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Mildly Chewy

Overall, a pretty good staple of an american porter with a nice balance of flavors, none over powering

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 23:34:39 | More by merc7186

SeamusDoyle

Pennsylvania

4.54/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours very dark reddish brown color with a nice 1-2 finger fairly dense khaki head with nice retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, toast, toffee, light coffee, light citrus, and earthy hops. Aromas are a nice balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of milk chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, toffee, toast, coffee, cocoa, and light herbal. Light amount of roasted coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of milk chocolate, caramel, toast, roasted malt, toffee, coffee, and light herbal on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance of robust flavors with nice roasted malt complexity; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic porter! Fantastic roasted flavor balance and complexity, with some nice hop balance; and extremely smooth to drink. A highly enjoyable offering, cue up Gordon Lightfoot!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 22:39:37 | More by SeamusDoyle

joeseppy

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Dark brown pour with a thick foamy tan head. Great lacing.

Aroma of cocoa, burnt sugar and coffee.

Mildly bitter with a touch of sweetness, toasted malt and good black coffee.

Creamy texture and mild alcohol heat to keep you toasty.

Just love these porters when not in the mood for a stout. Incredibly easy to drink. Yeah, it's pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:37:32 | More by joeseppy

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, best before 4/22/2013. Pours crystal clear very dark reddish brown color with a nice 1-2 finger fairly dense khaki head with nice retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, toast, toffee, light coffee, light citrus, and earthy hops. Damn nice aromas with nice balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of milk chocolate, caramel, roasted malt, toffee, toast, coffee, cocoa, and light herbal. Light amount of roasted coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of milk chocolate, caramel, toast, roasted malt, toffee, coffee, and light herbal on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance of robust flavors with nice roasted malt complexity; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic porter! Fantastic roasted flavor balance and complexity, with some nice hop balance; and extremely smooth to drink. A highly enjoyable offering as expected; one of my top favorite porters.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:25:34 | More by superspak

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Sammy, 12oz into a tulip.

Black body with some deep red highlights when held to the light, mocha coloured head with good retention and lacing. Nose of dark chocolate, roast and hops. Palate has more roast, light smoke, bitter dark chocolate and hoppy finish. Lingering bitterness and roast prevails. Medium full feel, medium carbonation. A standard for American style porters.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 05:15:20 | More by liamt07

cadizkyguy

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This might be the best thing to come out of Cleveland, Ohio. Lucky to find an ultra fresh 6 pack, with a best by date of June 9, 2013, at The Party Source in Bellevue, KY on New Year's Eve. I can never find this beer, fresh or otherwise. It doesn't stay on the shelves long enough to collect dust.

Having enjoyed it before, i'm going to review this now.

Great pour into my Samuel Adams Perfect Glass. Nice frothy head on top of a dark as cola body. The beer might have chilled too long, because the smell has a light roastiness to it -- not characteristic of a world class porter, as the scores on BA would indicate.

Taste... maybe it's too fresh, because this beer tastes kind of green. Mouthfeel is thin also.

In conclusion, this is a very nice beer, but hardly world class. My favorite porter is still Founders' Porter. Now that is world class.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 07:02:01 | More by cadizkyguy

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

near black deep brown tan head. charcoal coffee and black chocolate on the nose.

burnt coffee flavor with some dark bitter chocolate and charcoal. creamy and chewy big body. herbal hop good bitterness and balance. a good beer with simple flavors but I don't understand the super high ratings. I like it but not crazy about it.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 01:36:28 | More by jtierney89

NilocRellim

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured cold from the bottle.

Very dark, almost black in appearance. Slightly sweet nose to it, malty with a little coffee. The upfront taste is coffee with a slight hint of chocolate. There is a roasty-bitterness to the aftertaste.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:07:34 | More by NilocRellim

rlee1390

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Black in the glass, one finger tan head

S-Roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla with some coffee

T-Good balance of roasted malt, chocolate and vanilla, faint notes of coffee, no bitterness.

M-Medium bodied, not much carbonation, very creamy.

O-A wonderful porter, most likely the best one out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:08:27 | More by rlee1390

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a dark, almost black coloring with chestnut highlights under light. A thin, light, filmy, off-white head quickly settles into a surface coating. Aromas of rich cocoa and baker's chocolate, with an undertone of roast coffee. A very rich and balanced nose. Flavors ride a sharp, crisp body, with roast coffee in the forefront, supported by bittersweet chocolate deep in the backbone. Very light, crisp body propelling the flavors across the palate. The dominating bitter from the coffee and chocolate holds strong through the aftertaste, with a touch of milk chocolate dipped at the end. Smooth, crisp, clean finish to this well balanced, well crafted brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 01:00:34 | More by GarthDanielson

DocJitsu

California

3.65/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque very dark brown with glints of cola brown around the bottom edge when held to the light. Coffee and a bit of cocoa on the nose. Thicker consistency, but too much carbonation too quickly. Big coffee flavor. Some lactose, but not enough, in my opinion. The coffee flavor is nice, but the coffee acidity is barely tempered by the creaminess. The carbonation tends to overpower the lactose feel and flavor. It's ok. I was excited to get the chance to try it again. I'd had it several years ago. But, more recently, there's been quite a bit of hype about it. I don't feel it's lived up to it.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:00:21 | More by DocJitsu

hctap00

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Gordon Lightfoot playing in the background as I review.

Looks like a porter should. Black, but not completely opaque. Thin tan lacing never fades, lingers on top and on the glass.

Mostly chocolate in the nose. A hint of coffee and roasted malt, but chocolate is most noticeable.

No single element of the taste really stands out, but taken as a whole it is delightful. Does not try to do too much. Roasted malt up front, with some bitterness. Bittersweet chocolate and some coffee in the middle. Finishes with some faint sweetness and roastiness. Finish is fantastic.

Mouthfeel really sets this one apart for me. Incredibly refreshing. Finish lingers pleasantly. A fair amount of carbonation, which I usually do not like, but it works here. Coating. Could drink many.

Overall, exactly what I want from a porter. Mellow and understated, but makes me want more.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:36:41 | More by hctap00