Overall Impression
A historical American adaptation of English Porter by German immigrants using American ingredients, including adjuncts.
Aroma
Grainy malt aroma with low levels of chocolate, caramel, biscuit, burnt sugar, licorice, or slightly burnt malt. Low hop aroma. Low to moderate low levels of corn or DMS acceptable. No to very low esters. Diacetyl low to none. Clean lager fermentation profile acceptable.
Appearance
Medium to dark brown, though some examples can be nearly black in color, with ruby or mahogany highlights. Relatively clear. Light to medium tan head, persistent.
Flavor
Moderate grainy-bready malt flavor, with low levels of chocolate, burnt malt, burnt sugar, caramel, biscuit, licorice, molasses, or toast. Corn or DMS flavor acceptable at low to moderate levels. Medium-low to moderate bitterness. Low floral, spicy, or earthy hop flavor optional. Balance is typically even between malt and hops, with a moderately dry finish. Clean fermentation profile, but faint esters are allowable.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body. Moderate carbonation. Low to moderate creaminess. May have a slight dark malt astringency.
Comments
Also sometimes known as Pennsylvania Porter or East Coast Porter. This style does not describe colonial-era products.
Characteristic Ingredients
Two row or six row malt. Low percentages of dark malts including black, chocolate, and brown malt (roasted barley is not typically used). Adjuncts are acceptable, including corn, brewers licorice, molasses, and porterine. More historical versions will have up to twenty percent adjuncts. Lager or ale yeast. Historical or traditional American bittering hops, American or German finishing hops.
Style Comparison
Smoother and less hoppy-bitter than a (modern) American Porter. Less caramelly and smoother than an English Porter with more of an adjunct or lager character. More bitterness and roast than an International Dark Lager.
Vital Statistics
- IBU
- 20 - 30
- SRM
- 20 - 30
- OG
- 1.046 - 1.060
- FG
- 1.010 - 1.016
- ABV
- 4.5% - 6%
Commercial Examples
- Stegmaier Porter
- Yuengling Porter