Top 10 Brown Porters Brewed in North America
This Top Ten Brown Porters list is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. Brown porters are mid to dark brown in color. No roast barley or strong burnt/black malt character should be perceived. Low to medium malt sweetness is acceptable along with medium hop bitterness. This is a light- to medium-bodied beer. Hop flavor and aroma may vary from being negligible to medium in character. ABV: 4.40% – 6.00%. IBU: 20-30
1. Capella Porter – Ecliptic Brewing – Oregon
2. Porter – Back East Brewing – Connecticut
3. Ponderous – FigLeaf Brewing – Ohio
4. Pinch Hit Porter – Stadium Pizza Main St. – California
5. Devil’s Companion – Insight Brewing – Minnesota
6. Dancing Problems – Wise Man Brewing – North Carolina
7. Man Full of Trouble – Dock Street Brewery – Pennsylvania
8. Black Shack Porter – Wachusett Brewing – Massachusetts
9. Honey Porter – Three Spirits Brewing – North Carolina
10. Chelsea Moylan’s Porter – Moylans Brewing – California
History of Brown Porters
The brown porter, a dark, malty beer, emerged in 18th-century London as a staple for the city’s working class, particularly porters—hence the name. Brewed with brown malt, it offered a robust, slightly sweet flavor with notes of chocolate and caramel, balanced by a modest hop bitterness. Its popularity stemmed from its affordability and hearty profile, ideal for laborers needing sustenance. By the early 19th century, advancements in brewing, like the use of pale malt and better kilning techniques, led to the rise of darker, more refined “robust” porters, gradually overshadowing the simpler brown porter. Despite this, brown porters remained a tavern favorite until industrial brewing and changing tastes saw their decline by the early 20th century.
The brown porter’s revival began in the late 20th century with the craft beer movement, as brewers sought to resurrect historic styles. American and British craft breweries, inspired by traditional recipes, reintroduced brown porters with modern tweaks, emphasizing rich malt character and sessionable alcohol levels (typically 4-6% ABV). Today, brown porters are celebrated for their smooth, approachable nature, distinct from their robust cousins by a lighter body and subtler roastiness. They hold a niche but cherished place in the beer world, with examples like Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter showcasing the style’s enduring appeal.
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