Beer of the Weekend #396: Founders Porter
It is halftime of the Iowa-Michigan State game and I have decided to be productive. The initial choice for my November LV recommendation, Ayinger Weizenbock, fell through (nobody offers it except John’s) so I am back at the drawing board. Kind of. I think I am going to recommend Founders’ Breakfast Stout but wanted to try a couple more brews for the hell of it.
The beer today is Founders Porter, brewed by the Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “BOTTLED” date is “05/29/12.”
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is opaque black; no light passed through when I held it to a light. A lousy pour produced a finger of tan head, which dissipated quickly to leave a very thin lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Lots o’ chocolate. Black licorice, chocolate-covered cherries, plum. The roasted malt and espresso emerges slowly as the beer warms. It also has an oak-like smokiness and brandy-like booziness.
Taste: The chocolate from the smell takes a backseat to roasted malts, reminiscent of straight black coffee. The dark chocolate is still there providing balance. There is a hint of black licorice and maybe plum, too. I still get a little smokiness and brandy.
Drinkability: It is a pretty solid brew; tasty and thick. It does not set itself apart but it is good drinking.
Fun facts about Founders Porter:
-Style: BA classifies it as “American Porter.”
-Price: $1.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends barbecue, buttery cheeses, chocolate, beef, smoked meat, and grilled meat.
-IBU: 45.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
The beer today is Founders Porter, brewed by the Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “BOTTLED” date is “05/29/12.”
Appearance: Poured into a tulip glass. The color is opaque black; no light passed through when I held it to a light. A lousy pour produced a finger of tan head, which dissipated quickly to leave a very thin lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Lots o’ chocolate. Black licorice, chocolate-covered cherries, plum. The roasted malt and espresso emerges slowly as the beer warms. It also has an oak-like smokiness and brandy-like booziness.
Taste: The chocolate from the smell takes a backseat to roasted malts, reminiscent of straight black coffee. The dark chocolate is still there providing balance. There is a hint of black licorice and maybe plum, too. I still get a little smokiness and brandy.
Drinkability: It is a pretty solid brew; tasty and thick. It does not set itself apart but it is good drinking.
Fun facts about Founders Porter:
-Style: BA classifies it as “American Porter.”
-Price: $1.99/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6.5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA recommends barbecue, buttery cheeses, chocolate, beef, smoked meat, and grilled meat.
-IBU: 45.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
