Porter and Stout

As a bartender and owner of a craft beer website, the question that I am asked the most is "What is the difference between a porter and a stout?" The simple answer is that a stout is basically just a stronger version of the porter.

The porter was particularly popular in London and was the first choice of the porters who were known to drink a large amount after their workdays.

While the porter style was very popular, brewers began to experiment with it and ended up brewing a stronger version that was called a stout porter. This version was a little heavier, more roasted version of the porter. Brewers went on to make doube and Triple Stouts, but eventually the porter part of the name was dropped and they became known as just Stouts.

For a more detailed history on both the porter and stout you can check out our website here and here.

Smuttynose Old Dog Brown Ale

Old Dog poured a cloudy brown color with a finger width, off white head. The aroma had plenty of dry malts, and a hint of chocolate. The body was malty, and some dryness but quite thin. The finish is very short and slightly dry. The nose is great and promises a good beer that the body and finish do not back up. This could be a good beer but the body has no backbone to it and tastes almost watery. There is a nice dryness to the beer but overall, this was a disapointment.

I was told that this was a nice brown ale by one of my trustworthy, craft beer drinking friends but I have to disagree with him. I see the potential but the body is just not there. There are better brown ales to be had.