BJCP 20A · American Porter and Stout
American Porter
A dark, malty ale with chocolate and coffee roast, hoppier and with more character than English Porter, but without the harshness of a stout.
American Porter by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.8 – 6.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 25 – 50 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 22 – 40 SRM43–79 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.050 – 1.070on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.012 – 1.018on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Porter is like
A dark, full-bodied, malty ale with complex roast that stops short of aggressive burnt flavors. Compared with English Porter it has more hops, more roast and a bit more alcohol, and the American hops may show in the aroma and bitterness.
Appearance
Very dark brown to black, with ruby or garnet highlights against the light. Light tan head with good retention.
Aroma
Roasted malt with notes of chocolate, soft coffee or dark caramel, and low to moderate hops, often resinous or citrusy. Low to moderate esters.
Flavor
Roasted malt and chocolate up front, with possible notes of caramel, toffee or coffee. Bitterness is medium and accompanies the roast without turning harsh. The finish ranges from medium-dry to medium-sweet, with a hoppy, roasty aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body and moderate carbonation. May have a slight astringent dryness from the roast, but never scratchy.
Where American Porter comes from
It's the American reinterpretation of English Porter by the first craft breweries from the 1970s on. Over time it moved away from the original, with more American hops and more prominent roasted malts.
Ingredients
A base of pale ale malt with caramel and chocolate malts and a small proportion of black patent or roasted barley. American hops of any kind and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Porter at home
Mash at 66-67 °C (151-153 °F) to keep some body and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) with an American ale yeast. Dose the black malts carefully: it's easy to overdo them and end up with an acrid roast more typical of a stout. Carbonate to about 2.2-2.4 volumes.
Food pairing
Goes well with grilled meats, ribs with barbecue sauce and aged cheeses.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Sierra Nevada Porter
- Founders Porter
- Deschutes Black Butte Porter
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Porter?
Between 4.8% and 6.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is American Porter?
It has 25 to 50 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Porter?
Dark brown to black: 22 to 40 SRM (43 to 79 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Porter?
Goes well with grilled meats, ribs with barbecue sauce and aged cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try English Porter, American Stout and Baltic Porter.
If you like American Porter, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Porter guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.