Man, there’s just something mysterious about porter beers, right? Like, you take a sip and boom—roasted malt, a little caramel, maybe a wink of chocolate. Some folks confuse them with stouts (thanks, Guinness), but nah, porters and stouts are more like cousins who argue over who gets the remote.
Porters? Smoother, not so bitter, kinda like the cool uncle at family gatherings. Guinness? That’s a stout, all dry and roasty. Porters usually hang out in that 4–7% ABV zone, so they’re warming but won’t knock you on your butt after one pint.
And hey, in 2025, craft brewers are going wild—mixing old-school vibes with new flavors. Supposedly, you get antioxidants from the dark malt—sure, it’s not a salad, but you take what you can get.
Roughly 150–200 calories a pour, so about as much as that protein bar you pretend is a meal.
Old-School, No-Nonsense Porters
If you want to go classic, these are the heavy hitters—the OGs, the drinks that fueled English workers back when “WiFi” was just a weird noise. What makes a porter, anyway? Roasted barley, a whisper of hops, and that midnight color. Let’s dig in.
1. Best Porter Beer: Brouwerij Noordt Simcoe Porter
World’s best porter in 2025, no joke. This Dutch legend hits you with piney hops thanks to Simcoe, plus all the chocolate and coffee you want in a dark brew. Pour it—look at that thick, dreamy head.
The 6.5% ABV means it’s got a kick, but it’s not trying to pick a fight. What makes it great? Balance.
Not too sweet, not too bitter. It’s the beer equivalent of a perfectly grilled steak. Pair it with, well, steak. Or cheese. Or just drink it and pretend you’re in Amsterdam. Bonus: antioxidants, if you care. That finish? Lingers just enough to make you want another.
2. London Porter Beer: Fuller’s London Porter
Straight-up classic. This is the taste of old London—think fog, cobblestones, and that “Oi!” energy.
Fuller’s uses brown malt, so you get toffee, a little dried fruit, and that unmistakable porter color. Sniff it: roasted grain, a hint of licorice. At 5.4% ABV, you can have a couple without seeing double.
Less roasty than Guinness, softer and a bit sweeter. Been around since 1845, so yeah, it’s seen some stuff. Malted barley, old-school English hops, nothing weird. About $5 a bottle. Cold night, big sweater, this beer—perfect.
3. Origin of Porter Beer: Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter
History in a bottle. Brewed in Yorkshire with water from ancient wells, fermented in stone squares (which, I dunno, just sounds cooler). Malty, a little raisin, a little molasses, smooth as jazz.
5% ABV, so you can chill and not worry about it. Full body, low fizz, total tradition. No gimmicks, just pure porter.
Sweeter than Guinness, and honestly, great with oysters or chocolate cake. Usually under $4, so you’re not blowing your beer budget. Still a legend after all these years.
Weird and Wonderful: Modern Porter Twists
Craft beer in 2025? Off the rails—in a good way. Porters are getting wild upgrades: vanilla, coffee, fruit, you name it. How do you make a porter less boring? Throw in some curveballs.
4. Maple Porter Beer: Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter
Florida, man. They put breakfast in a bottle—maple syrup, bacon smokiness, and a solid coffee backbone. It’s like your pancakes, but boozy. 6.4% ABV, super smooth.
You get chocolate notes, but the maple’s the star. Real bacon, legit Vermont maple, not just “flavoring.” Health benefits?
Ha, not really, unless smiling counts. Perfect with pancakes or barbecue. Not your grandpa’s porter—this one’s for the adventurous.
5. Chocolate Porter Beer: Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter
Oldest American brewery teams up with Hershey’s to make a chocolate lover’s dream. Deep, dark, chocolatey—basically dessert in a glass.
Only 4.7% ABV, so it’s light enough to have a couple. Smells like heaven. Around 170 calories, but, c’mon, live a little.
Creamy finish and not too bitter, so it’s more treat than a chore. Widely available, so you can probably find it at your neighborhood shop.
6. Dark Porter Beer: Alaskan Smoked Porter
Straight outta Juneau and honestly, this one’s got campfire vibes dialed to eleven. It’s like, you take a sip and suddenly you’re out in the woods, probably being judged by a moose.
Beechwood smoke all up in your nose, chocolate hanging out in the background, some sneaky fruitiness too. And the vintage bottles? People are already hyped for the 2025 batch. 6.5% ABV, so it’s not messing around.
Dark porters really flex here—rich, layered, kinda brooding. They riffed off old-school rauchbier styles but threw it into a porter situation. Oh, and if you’ve got salmon? This is your new dinner date. Sticks with you, doesn’t let go.
Global and Unique Porters
Porters don’t care about borders—they’ve packed their bags and gone everywhere. Australia, the Baltics, heck, even India’s getting in on the action.
But let’s stick with the showstoppers, yeah? This is where things get wild.
7. American Porter Beer: Hill Farmstead Everett
Vermont, baby. Hill Farmstead’s Everett is like the indie movie of porters—American malts giving you that caramel swagger, toasted nuts, just enough hops to keep it interesting. 7.5% and smooth as a back road.
People lose their minds over this one. What’s so “American” about it? Bigger hops, a little rule-breaking. Throw it against Guinness and it’s bolder, none of that nitro-foam business. If you see it, grab it. No regrets.
8. Porter Beer Australia: Aether Biscoff Porter
Brisbane just dropped a dessert bomb. Imagine dunking a Biscoff cookie into your beer, but it works.
Caramel, spice, malty goodness, all at 6%—sweet but not a sugar rush. Aussie craft beer is blowing up this year, and this porter’s a poster child.
Pair it with your favorite dessert and watch your friends get jealous. It’s a little weird, a lot of fun.
9. Examples of Porter Beer: Żywiec Porter
Poland doesn’t mess around—Żywiec Porter rolls in at a whopping 9.5%. Big dark fruit, a hit of licorice, finishes crazy smooth for the strength. It’s a lager, weirdly enough, so you get that crispness.
If you want a classic that’ll warm you up and not wreck your wallet, this is the one.
10. Top Porter Beers: Founders Porter
Michigan knows what’s up. Founders Porter is like drinking velvet with a side of chocolate and blackcurrant.
6.5% ABV, basically everyone loves it. Porter vs stout? This one’s richer, not as heavy as some stouts, just hits that sweet spot. An all-time classic—if you haven’t tried it, what are you even doing?
Conclusion
Bottom line, these porters are all over the map—maple, smoke, cookies, old-school legends.
Whether you’re making your own batch in the kitchen or posted up at the local bar, 2025’s looking like a killer year for dark beers.
Go wild—there’s a whole world in your glass.
