Ales: Stouts and Porters

This article is not about dark beers. "Dark" is not a flavor, "dark" is not a beer style, "dark" is, broadly, a color. I will be discussing beers that are dark, but there are other beers out there that are dark hued but have completely different characteristics from the stouts and porters. Originally porters were a style of beer that was popular among the working class, the porters, of England in the 18th Century. Lagering and advances in brewing technology made it possible to brew an almost clear ale, but the darker malts were cheaper and the darker color became associated with the working class. Initially porters had a higher OG (original gravity) which translated into a higher alcohol content and heavier texture. This gradually changed as brewers looked for cheaper ways to produce their beers, even going so far as to use coloring to give it the expected hue. In the 20th Century craft brewers brought back the old style with it's heavier, creamier consistency. The main difference, in theory, between a porter and a stout is one of degree. Stouts are considered to be heavier and stronger than porters. Early on, a particular heavy or high alcohol porter was called extra superior, extra or double porter, or extra stout. In reality, whether a beer is called a stout or porter is often a matter of what markets better, which name sounds better with the name of the brewery for instance.

Within the stout/porter category, there are several subcategories. One of the earliest was Russian Imperial Stout, so named because it was exported to Russian for the Czar. Imperial Stout was characterized by a very high alcohol content. The appellation Imperial has come to be used for high alcohol versions of  other styles. Baltic Porters are similar in taste, but are typically lower in alcohol content. Milk Stout, also called Sweet Stout is a popular style. Brewed partially with lactose, which is not fermentable by beer yeast, the residual lactose sugar imparts a sweet creaminess to the stout. Dry, or Irish, Stout is kind of the opposite of the sweet stout. It's hoppier and drier; Guinness is a good example of this style.

Many stouts and porters have a distinct chocolate or coffee taste. This is not necessarily due to any flavoring being added, but qualities of the malts themselves.

Stouts and porters are perfect for cooler weather, and also go well with chocolate or other sweet desserts.

Don't be afraid of the dark...beer