A Stronger Porter

The sea was angry that day, my friends...

Whoa, that was the first time I wrote 2015 instead of 2014. Weirds me out a little bit…

In the age of creating a bigger, faster and stronger version of something we all love, I give you the Baltic Porter… a beer that is quite literally a stronger version of our beloved English Porter. Or perhaps it’s a weaker version of an Imperial Russian Stout – the Baltic Sea is located between Russia and England after all. Maybe we should split the difference and call it an Imperial Porter.

Baltic Porter as a style developed in countries that border the Baltic Sea and drew influence from the porters of England and Imperial Stouts of Russia… see? I told you. It is a legitimate style and is style 12C in your BJCP style guide if you’re following along at home.

Baltic Porters are dark reddish copper to opaque dark brown (not black) in color and have a thick, persistent tan-colored head. They pour clear, although darker versions can be opaque, and are generally quite full-bodied and smooth, with a well-aged alcohol warmth. They have medium to medium-high carbonation, making it seem even more mouth-filling, although not heavy on the tongue due to carbonation level. Most versions are in the 7-8.5% ABV range.

Viking approved since the 1700s (ish)

Their aroma is of rich malty sweetness often containing caramel, toffee, nutty to deep toast, and/or licorice notes. A complex alcohol and ester profile of moderate strength is often present, and reminiscent of plums, prunes, raisins, cherries or currants, occasionally with a vinous Port-like quality. The aroma can also have some darker malt character that is of deep chocolate, coffee or molasses but not burnt. There should be no hops or sourness, and the aroma should be very smooth.

As with aroma, the flavor of a Baltic Porter has a rich malty sweetness with a complex blend of deep malt, dried fruit esters, and alcohol. It has a prominent yet smooth schwarzbier-like roasted flavor that stops short of burnt. The flavor starts sweet but darker malt flavors quickly dominate and persist through the finish. The flavor is also just a touch dry with a hint of roast coffee or licorice in the finish. The malt can have a caramel, toffee, nutty, molasses and/or licorice complexity with light hints of black currant and dark fruits. There should also be medium-low to medium bitterness from malt and hops, just to provide balance. Hop flavor from slightly spicy hops such as Lublin or Saaz ranging from none to medium-low is appropriate.

Personal fave

Baltic Porters are usually made using Munich or Vienna malt as a base and chocolate or black malt as specialty malts. Brown or amber malt was common in historical recipes as adjuncts. It is also important that Baltic Porters be fermented with lager yeast in order to give the beer a crisp clean lager character.

Victory Brewing Company’s Baltic Thunder and Flying Dog’s Gonzo Imperial Porter are excellent examples of the style. Expect a strong, robust and complex flavor and quite a bit of alcohol heat. It’s perfect for cold winter nights along the Baltic Sea, or here in the States for that matter.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!