Top Ten Robust Porter Brewed in America
This Top Ten Robust Porter list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The best robust porters are black in color and have a roast malt flavor but no roast barley flavor. These porters have a sharp bitterness of black malt without a highly burnt/charcoal flavor. A robust porter can range from medium to full in body and have a malty sweetness. Hop bitterness is medium to high, with hop aroma and flavor ranging from negligible to medium. ABV: 5.10% – 6.60%. IBU: 25-40.
1. Double Decker – Brew Bus Brewing – Florida
2. Harpoon Porter – Harpoon Brewery – Massachusetts
3. Iron Belly – The Brewtorium – Texas
4. Black Strap Molasses Porter – Waikiki Brewing – Hawaii
5. Founders Porter – Founders Brewing – Michigan
6. Smuttynose Robust Porter – Smuttynose Brewing – New Hampshire
7. Pops Porter – Wynwood Brewing – Florida
8. Tabula Rasa Toasted Porter – Second Chance Beer Co. – California
9. Caldera Pilot Rock Porter – Caldera Brewing – Oregon
10. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald – Great Lakes Brewing – Ohio
History of Robust Porters
Robust porter, a style of dark beer, emerged in 18th-century England as a heartier evolution of the porter, a popular working-class drink. Originating in London, porters were brewed with brown malt, giving them a dark, roasty flavor. By the 1700s, brewers began crafting stronger versions, often aged longer, to cater to those seeking a bolder taste. These robust porters, with higher alcohol content and richer profiles featuring notes of chocolate, coffee, and caramel, became a staple in pubs and were exported widely, especially to Ireland and the American colonies. Their durability during long sea voyages, due to higher alcohol and robust flavors, made them a favorite among merchants and sailors.
In the 19th century, robust porters faced competition from stouts, which were initially just stronger porters, and later from lighter lagers as brewing technology advanced. By the early 20th century, their popularity waned due to changing tastes and industrial brewing’s focus on milder beers. However, the craft beer revolution of the late 20th century revived interest, with American and European microbreweries reintroducing robust porters featuring complex malt bills and innovative adjuncts like vanilla or smoked malt. Today, robust porters remain a beloved style, celebrated for their depth and versatility, often showcased in beer festivals and paired with hearty dishes.
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