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A good porter feels like your favorite pair of jeans. It just fits — your tastes, the meal, the moment. I’m constantly in search of the perfect porter. It’s one of my favorite styles not least because brewing it correctly requires skillful composition and, I would argue, a sense of honor for the style’s history of comforting and sustaining the Industrial Revolution workforce.
Flying Bison Brewing has produced such a beer.
Brindle Porter, a limited release inspired by the classic English porter, pours a deep brown color with a one-finger head and wide, faint lacing. Hints of coffee, chocolate, and toffee come forth on the nose.
I was struck by the amazing balance of the mouthfeel. Overroasting is something I always notice and never appreciate, and this beer strikes just the right note, with subtle roasted English chocolate malt and a mellow, seriously smooth flavor profile that lingers. A kiss of Kent Goldings hops gives it just enough zip on the finish. The weight is excellent, just what a porter should be — hefty enough to stick to the ribs but crisp and comfortable enough to drink all night. I sucked down two in the time it took me to take these notes.
This is my new favorite Flying Bison product, hands down, and one of my favorite porters. I truly hope it becomes a regular part of the brewery’s lineup.
Producer: Flying Bison Brewing Company
Style: English porter
ABV: 5.6%
Stemware: pint glass
Price: $4/draught pint
(3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)