Travel to King’s Landing with These UK Porters
Winter is coming. And binge watching Game of Thrones along with drinking some chocolate desserts is a necessity.
Did you know that most of the filming for HBO’s award-winning show takes place at Belfast in Northern Ireland? So sticking with an across-the-pond theme, check out some of the best UK porters to drink with your Hershey Kisses.
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Fuller’s London Porter
From: London, England
ABV: 5.4%
Availability: Year-Round
RateBeer Rating: 99
With an epic title representing an entire country, Fuller’s London Porter keeps its shoulders standing tall on display. The beer has won awards across the world, and is regularly rated as the number one overall beer on RateBeer. This rich and dark brew has chocolate malts infused for a creamy trip to your taste buds.
Featured Beer Advocate Review: “Light porter in many ways compared the modern style. But true to the English porter style. Roasted malt. Clean finish with not really any bitterness. Blackish color.” - newbeeraday
Image courtesy of corebrewing.com
Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter
From: Tadcaster, England
ABV: 5%
Availability: Year-Round
RateBeer Rating: 97
While you might not think it’d taste that terrific, Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter brewed with well water has won several awards. Malted barley, roasted malts, yeast and hops come straight at your taste buds. It’s recommended by Samuel Smith’s that you drink this beer at 55 degrees fahrenheit.
Featured Beer Advocate Review: “Deep dark brown pour with lasting beige ½ finger. Amazing roasted aromas mix with candied fruit. One of the best smelling brews I’ve sniffed. Flavor is less complex though delicious - mostly malty with the softest dry bitter at the finish. Kinda perfect for the style.” - tekstr1der
READ MORE: What's the Most Popular Beer in Each Country? Part 1
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Guinness West Indies Porter
From: Dublin, Ireland
ABV: 6%
Availability: Year-Round
RateBeer Rating: 82
If you’re trying to watch your weight, but you like porters - Guinness is the beer for you. At only 180 calories, Guinness’ West Indies Porter packs a strong punch. You can down a couple of these and it still won’t match up to a burger. Outside of the homeland, the original draught is brewed in near 60 countries and available in close to 120.
Featured Beer Advocate Review: “A decent porter with strong cola notes, some iced coffee, RC cola, licorice, dark chocolate. But really like a cola beer to me.” - takusan1000
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Elland 1872 Porter
From: Elland, England
ABV: 6.5%
Availability: Year-Round
RateBeer Rating: 97
This award-winning porter is based around a recipe from 1872, hence, its name. It’s incredibly dark with a bittersweet flavors that combine into a subtle hoppy finish.
Featured Beer Advocate Review: “500ml, bottle-conditioned. ap: almost black with thick, lasting beige head. smell: roasted malt. ta: roasted malt, medium sweetness and bitterness. mouthfeel: slick, lingering roasted malt. overall: well-crafted porter with complimentary sour taste.”- gutbucket2
Image courtesy of BlogAboutBeer.com.
Flag Porter 1825 Original
From: Sumerland, England
ABV: 5%
Availability: Year-Round
RateBeer Rating: 89
Flag Porter is brewed from a traditional 19th century British recipe using yeast that was saved from a sunk vessel. A doctor that recovered it years later found some of the yeast to somehow still be living. Utilizing the practises of porter brewers from the era, Dr. Thomas uses barley and hops grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Featured Beer Advocate Review: “An extremely nice brew..dark chocolate appearance with a rich chocolate smell. Taste is mild, but with a very smooth malty presence that is slightly smoky. Mouthfeed is somewhat light, but carries enough body to be much above average. Extremely easy to drink, with a pleasant, malty aftertaste.” - edchicma
Jon Snow’s whereabouts may be unknown at this moment, yet drinking these United Kingdom porters is what he would have wanted, regardless. And don’t forget the chocolate!
What’s your go-to UK porter beer and dessert combo? Let us know in the comments below.