Looks like I need to revisit both Mayflower and Smuttynose Robust - both were disappointing and I haven't gone back in at least a year. Though I recently revisited Smuttynose 'Finest Kind' IPA and learned again that I think it is foul. For me it i: Everett Founders Victory at Sea Black Butte
In no particular order I always have one or two of these in my fridge at all times: Bells Porter Founders Porter GL Edmund Fitzgerald SN Porter Anchor Porter Boulevard Bully Porter I've recently tried Deshutes Black Butt. It's solid and I'll pick it up once in a while, but I'd probably put it slightly below the others I've listed here. Same with Smuttynose Robust Porter. I hadn't had the Anchor for a while but picked up a 6 pack the other day. I had forgotten how much I like that beer.
I have to agree that Eddie Fitzgerald will always be a no brainier go to for me. It was the first Porter I tried and loved. My absolute favorite Porter of all is from Jackie O's brewery in Athens, OH. It's called Drawn and Portered. I would throw rocks at my grandma for a pint of that stuff. They also occasionally do a Smoked and Portered, as we'll as a Drawn and Nitro'ed. Both of which are also amazing. However, (and I'm glad to see others mention this brew too) due to its availability in cans and the well rounded flavor and quality of the beer, I think that Revolution's Eugene Porter will probably be by go to porta-Porter. We do a ton of camping and whitewater rafting, therefore quality beer in cans gets extra points in our house.
I am a fan of Edmund Fitz and Black Butte, but Founders is by more than a nose my favorite. Underrated beers in the category for me are SN and Bell's. Having been impressed with everything from Smuttynose that I have tried, I'll have to pick up the Robust Porter sometime.
No Order CCB Jose Marti Porter HF Twilight of the Idols Smuttynose Robust Founders Porter MBC King Titus
Meantime Naval College Old Porter is far better than every other porter I've had, including Smutty Baltic, Founders, and Victory at Sea.
1. Founders Porter 2. Short's Brewing Publican Porter 3. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald *Have a HF Birth of Tragedy in the cellar. Might make the list too.
Original Flag Porter and Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter are my go to porters. Recently had Beach Brewing's Jolly Roger Pumpkin Porter and now it's one of favorite beers period. (Beach Brewing's only available here in VA)
It's funny to see Victory at Sea included with all the 5-6% Porters. I really think that Imperial Porters deserve their own category, or they should simply be grouped along side of Imperial Stouts/Doubles. My list includes only stuff I can buy in my state, so it will miss many favorites of others: Founders Black Butte Taddy Porter London Porter Avery New World Porter Anchor Porter Stone Smoked Porter (also with Vanilla and Chipotle)
Though not the best, I can get a 6 pack of 16oz cans of the Narragansett Porter for 8 bucks. The best part is its not watery !
Wow, after reading through these comments I realize I haven't tried very many porters. However, I have tried and really like: BP Victory at Sea Deschutes Black Butte SS The Famous Taddy
I love Fullers London Porter. But I will wholeheartedly admit I am a Fullers fanboy. Black Butte also.
For me and many who have had it...Tyranena "Dirty Old Man" is heavenly. I personally believe Tyranena specializes in porters and have spent a little extra time on this one. Can't wait for them to put this one back on the shelves....only one left in the beer fridge. Second is Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald and Tyrenena's The Devil Made Me Do It
I thought I was the only one who was disappointed by Black Butte. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't worth all the hype. Edmund Fitzgerald is my current benchmark for porters. I also love Revolution's Eugene Porter. I have a bottle of Smuttynose Robust porter in my beer fridge and was wondering if I should open it tomorrow night. Now I'm really looking forward to trying it.
Ballast Point Victory at Sea is the best one I've had so far. I also like the British ones like Samuel Smith's. Then again, the porter/stout distinction is dubious these days.
Founder's Porter Maine Brewing King Titus Firestone Walker's Reserve Ballast Point Victory at Sea Can't go wrong with any of those
Founders - Porter Dark Horse - Reserve Special Black Ale Smuttynose - Baltic Porter Tyranena - Devil Made Me Do It (Who's Your Daddy was fantastic as well) FFF - Alpha Klaus Mikkeller Xmas Porter (i believe it was the 2010) honorable mention to Deschutes Balack Butte, O'so Night Train and GL Ed Fitz
Just did an informal and highly unscientific taste test of porters on Super Bowl Sunday and in the days following. I had at least one of each of the following, and list in order of preference. 1. Edmund Fitzgerald - tough to unseat this one 2. Founders - close second, and the rest are way behind 3. Smuttynose Robust - great beer and something that is widely available and pretty inexpensive 4. Fullers London Porter - a benchmark for English porters and one that I'd go to again if it were less expensive and easier to find 5. Anchor - tastes more to me like an English porter than the others I tried. Great beer and another one that doesn't break the bank 6. Foothills People's Porter - was very high on this beer (especially since it's an in-state product) until it went head to head with the others. Still good but not quite up to the competition 7. Bell's - Really disappointed by this one. Still a good porter and something I would drink again if no others were available, but not up to expectations from Bell's. 8. Breckenridge Vanilla Porter - pretty nasty; should be lower than "8", but I didn't drink enough others to move it farther down the line. Thin, artificial tasting and overall just an unpleasant beer.
American Porter - Deschutes 'Black Butte' English Porter - Phillip's 'Longboat Chocolate' & Driftwood's 'BlackStone' Baltic Porter - Les Trois Mousquetaires 'Grand Cuvee Porter Baltique
I'm not going to bother creating a list, because porter is one of my favorite styles (especially if you include the Baltic variety) and it would just be too difficult for me. I will say, however, that I'm glad to see some love for Highland's Oatmeal Porter. That's the beer that really got me on this craft beer journey, and to this day I think it's a great beer that is often overlooked here in NC (possibly due to it being everywhere you look). Their Thunderstruck Coffee Porter is good, too. Speaking of local porters, I've been enjoying a lot of Foothills People's Porter now that it's available in six-packs.
I had my first Mayflower porter a few months ago and thought it was great. We don't get it in Maine though so I'll continue to go with Founders and Smuttynose.
1. Edmund Fitzgerald 2. Victory at Sea 3. Gonzo 4. Maine - King Titus 5. Stone Smoked Off the top of my head these are my favorites.
Lots of good porters already mentioned. I would add Sam Smith's Taddy Porter and Fuller's London Porter to the list.
Meantime has a great line of porters that would definitely be worth a try if you haven't had them. I also really enjoy Berkshire Brewing Coffehouse Porter.
