Porter is a dark beer style that originated in London in the early 18th century. It is made from at least two types of malt including dark malt for coloring, yellow cane sugar, and a large amount of hops. Its typical strength ranges from 5.5% to 7% alcohol by volume.
How it is made
Porter is produced using at least two types of malt, including dark malt which gives the beer its dark color ranging from dark brown to black. Yellow cane sugar and a large quantity of hops are also used in the brewing process, along with top-fermenting yeast. This combination of ingredients creates the distinctive flavor profile of porter.
History
Porter first emerged in London and its surrounding areas in the early 18th century. The name comes from its popularity among street and river porters. By the end of the 18th century, porter was being produced in Ireland, North America, Sweden, and Russia. During the Napoleonic Wars, increased taxes led to a reduction in the beer's density. After World War II, porter production declined significantly but experienced a revival in the 1970s with American craft brewers leading the way.
Types and styles
Porter comes in various strengths, including Single Stout Porter, Double Stout Porter (like Guinness), Triple Stout Porter, and Imperial Stout Porter. The Baltic porter is a variation that emerged when imperial stouts were exported to the Baltic region and recreated using local ingredients. Baltic porters typically have a minimum density of 18° and high alcohol content, often exceeding 10%. Today, many breweries produce specialized versions of porter, including pumpkin, honey, vanilla, plum, and chocolate varieties.
Porter and stout
The history of stout and porter is intertwined. Strong porters were sold as 'stout porter,' which was later shortened to just 'stout.' Today, the terms are often used interchangeably by different breweries to describe dark beer styles. While stout traditionally uses roasted malt in its production, porter does not necessarily require this ingredient, though the two styles share many characteristics.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Портер (пиво), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.