[berkshire_rider]

I picked up these recently. Shipyard, because I like it and wanted to try some of their other brews, and the Smuttynose, because I had never had it, but knew it was from NH, and figured a "sampler" was a good way to try it.

Do all porter's taste weird? The reason I ask is Smuttynose makes a Robust Porter that tastes like they poured it through a burned stove pipe. It seemed strong alcohol wise while drinking it, and I did finished 3 of them, :evil: but I don't think I would ever buy more of it.

 

[El Santo]

I picked up these recently. Shipyard, because I like it and wanted to try some of their other brews, and the Smuttynose, because I had never had it, but knew it was from NH, and figured a "sampler" was a good way to try it.

Do all porter's taste weird? The reason I ask is Smuttynose makes a Robust Porter that tastes like they poured it through a burned stove pipe. It seemed strong alcohol wise while drinking it, and I did finished 3 of them, :evil: but I don't think I would ever buy more of it.

Uh... dunno what you mean by 'weird'. If you mean 'not an ale, and not quite a stout', then yes, all porters taste 'weird'.

I haven't tasted Smuttynose, but black butte is one of my all time favorite beers. 'Specially in winter.

 

[berkshire_rider]

Uh... dunno what you mean by 'weird'. If you mean 'not an ale, and not quite a stout', then yes, all porters taste 'weird'.

I haven't tasted Smuttynose, but black butte is one of my all time favorite beers. 'Specially in winter.

Weird as in not even remotely sweet, but it had a "burnt" taste to it.

 

[dirtyamerican]

I would say that most porters probably do taste "weird" if you're new to them since they contain similar ingredients (making them porters). I've never tried those brands but suggest trying more before you decide you don't like that style of beer. I've got a neighbor that drinks himself to death on cheap lager every weekend and I've yet to get him to appreciate some finer drinking that stouts, porters, and ales have to offer. While I do like that burnt stove pipe taste sometimes my favorite porter is Saranac's caramel porter. It tastes like a porter with a caramel (and some say butterscotch) flavor which, I think, is a great departure from a normal porter taste. I'm hosting a beer tasting soon on stouts and porters...if I remember, I'll get you more feedback on any great porters we'll be trying. cheers!

 

[Potroast88]

Isn't a porter one of those guys at a hotel that help you with your bags? If so, I imagine that they do all taste pretty weird.

 

[GumbaFish]

Funny you say that as Otter creek makes a delicious brew called stovepipe porter. On a side note it may take some time to get used to, I would say porters are probably my favorite style of beer. They often have complex tastes that a lot of people don't like, because they want them to taste like stouts instead of porters. What you were tasting is common, it is like a roasted or smokey taste and pretty much you are going to find porters that have a similar taste. If you are interested at all in trying any other porters maybe in a while to get a taste for them (I didn't like them the first time I had them either) I would recomend Anchor porter, Otter Creek stovepipe porter, or Stone smoked Porter. Those are all pretty good and should be available at a lot of grocery stores.

 

[Silver]

The Anchor porter is beautiful.

 

[riderx]

Weird as in not even remotely sweet, but it had a "burnt" taste to it.

That's a characteristic of the porter style and the type of malt used in brewing it. They are not supposed to be sweet either.

 

[riderx]

While I do like that burnt stove pipe taste sometimes my favorite porter is Saranac's caramel porter.

That is, seriously, one of the worst beers I have ever had. Where's that "barf" emoticon when you need it.

 

[narlus]

porters are a strange bird. i find that i enjoy them more on tap than in the bottle. and even some brewers which i think make excellent stouts (ipswich, grant's, rogue) have what i consider sub-par porters.

for bottled stuff, i would agree w/ Anchor as being a good one. sierra nevada is ok. tremont used to make a nice one too, but i haven't seen it in a while. deschutes is the best (black butte), so go w/ that if you can find it.

 

[riderx]

Uh... dunno what you mean by 'weird'. If you mean 'not an ale, and not quite a stout', then yes, all porters taste 'weird'.

Just an FYI, both stouts and porters are ales.

 

[llkoolkeg]

Before they started actually brewing them, Porters were just black & tans that train porters used to drink.

I love them. The one I drink with the greatest regularity is the Rogue's because it's the best one I can get locally. The brewery in downtown Frederick brews a nice one that I sometimes take home with me in a growler.

 

[jdcamb]

Grants is a good one too. My fav Porter is Sierra Nevada. The are a bunch of un-Porter like Porters out there. Yuengling and Southern Tier come to mind.....jdcamb

 

[BikeGeek]

Just an FYI, both stouts and porters are ales.

And porter fathered stout.

 

[berkshire_rider]

The Anchor porter is beautiful.

hmmmm. Maybe have to try this one.

 

[-BB-]

Isn't a porter one of those guys at a hotel that help you with your bags? If so, I imagine that they do all taste pretty weird.

Yes it is... and that is exactly what "porter" beer is named for. The "porters" would unload ships and stuff, carry heavy bags all day, and they wanted a nice thick strong beer when it was quitting time.
Thus, Porter beer.

 

[narlus]

And porter fathered stout.

and stout begat imperial stout.

:dancing:

 

[-BB-]

And on teh 7th day the lord said "Let there be BEER!!"

 

[SkaredShtles]

Define "wierd".........

And with my definition of weird, yes - most porters do taste "weird".

-S.S.-

 

[berkshire_rider]

I like strong beers, but the taste of this one was................unique. Maybe it's one of those "acquired" tastes.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I like strong beers, but the taste of this one was................unique. Maybe it's one of those "acquired" tastes.

You're probably tasting what makes a porter a porter.

-S.S.-

 

[dirtyamerican]

That is, seriously, one of the worst beers I have ever had. Where's that "barf" emoticon when you need it.

Ya. I've read mixed reviews of it. Either your really like it or really hate it. If anyone doesn't want their caremel porter send it to me c.o.d. ...pm me for my address. hehe

 

[I Are Baboon]

Funny you say that as Otter creek makes a delicious brew called stovepipe porter.

This is my wife's favorite porter, and she likes a good beer.