Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald
Deep, rich, roasted malt character, its bitterness cushioned by a full body and just enough caramel sweetness. Round, characterful, sublime in its balance, addictive in its drinkability. Brewed since 1991; its five GABF medals in that time are no accident.
ABV: 6%
IBUs: 37
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Smuttynose Robust Porter
Lovely tan foam over deep blackness, with a nose like fresh cold-brew espresso undergirded by caramelized sugar. In the flavor, that mild sweetness dovetails roundly with firm roast bitterness, making it easy to drink despite its strength and that lingering roast-bitter smack.
ABV: 6.2%
IBUs: 31
Location: Hampton, New Hampshire
Hill Farmstead Everett
Like an Andrew Wyeth painting that—through its figurative depiction of the scene—somehow captures more of its reality than a photograph, Everett’s selective editing and tight composition produce a porter that’s deceptively simple yet lyrical. The clarity of malt expression—dark and sweet, tempered by a dose of American hops—is exquisite.
ABV: 7.2%
IBUs: N/A
Location: Greensboro Bend, Vermont
Port City Brewing Porter
Nose is weighty with dark bitter chocolate, cocoa powder, and roasted nuts. In the flavor, austere darkest chocolate gets a judicious dab of caramel for a dimension of sinful depth, enough to balance and soften the ample bitterness.
ABV: 7.2%
IBUs: 45
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Creature Comforts Koko Buni
What could be more “American” than taking an American Porter, adding lactose, then boosting the contrast with coconut, cacao nibs, and coffee? Rather than going over the top, Creature Comforts opts for subtle expressions that highlight the underlying beer flavors in this cool and confident approach to adjuncts.
ABV: 6.5%
IBUs: N/A
Location: Athens, Georgia