BJCP 2021 / 27G
Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Porter
A smooth, lightly roasty American porter built on adjunct grains.
- Any age
- standard strength
- dark color
- any fermentation
- north america
Serve: 48 to 54F, Pint
OG1.120
1.046 to 1.060FG1.030
1.010 to 1.016IBU120
20 to 30SRM40
20 to 30ABV14%
4.5 to 6.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Light chocolate and caramel
- Faint roast
- Little hop
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Chocolate and caramel
- Best
- Low to moderate chocolate, caramel and light roast aroma, very low hop
Appearance
3 pts- Dark brown to nearly black
- Clear
- Tan head
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Dark brown, tan head
- Best
- Dark brown to near black, ruby highlights, clear, tan head with moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Chocolate, caramel and light roast
- A little sweet corn from adjunct grains
- Low to moderate bitterness, medium-dry finish
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Chocolate, caramel and light roast
- Best
- Moderate chocolate and caramel malt with light roast, trace of corn sweetness, low to moderate bitterness, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium-light to medium body, smooth, medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Smoothness
- Gentle roast
Drops it
- Sharp roast
- Cloying sweetness
Writing tip
Describe roast and sweetness separately. Example: 'Chocolate and caramel with light roast and a trace of corn sweetness. Smooth.'
Pour these
No examples chosen yet.
Often confused with
- 13C English PorterEnglish Porter has no adjunct sweetness
- 20A American PorterAmerican Porter is hoppier and more roasty
Fine here
- DMS: A trace of corn is traditional
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Harsh black malt
- Oxidized: Stale
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.