Beer-it’s not just a refreshing beverage, it’s an educational experience. Take Terminus Porter for example, a delicious beer from the Gate City brewery of Roswell, Georgia. Terminus was really the origin of Atlanta, as it was designated in the late 1830s as the terminus of a new railroad connecting Georgia with the rest of the country. The exact origin marker was known as “Zero Mile”, and in fact once a year Southern Tier brewing of New York brews a special beer under that name for Atlanta Beer Week.
Atlanta grew around Terminus, was later named “Atlantica-Pacifica”, and that later shortened to Atlanta. For fans of the TV show “The Walking Dead”, which takes place at times in Georgia, Terminus was an important storyline that occurred in a railyard freight terminal. Now that you know all this, I’m sure you’re ready to hear about Terminus, the beer.
From the brewery website:
Like the historic rail hub for which it's named, Terminus Porter is an impressive intersection. Rich and dark, roasty and smooth, this is everything you want from a porter. Striking in color yet easy to drink, our darkest offering packs the right punch at 7.8% ABV. Chocolate and coffee notes round out mild, European hops to give you a baltic porter that transcends the seasons.
Terminus Porter is the second beer I’ve enjoyed from Gate City, a draft only brewery to my knowledge. I paid $6.50 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac. Is this beer really a Baltic porter? A true Baltic porter should be bottom fermented and/or lagered, and I have yet to see any lagers from Gate City. This could be an imperial porter, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I’ve e-mailed them asking that very question, so I will get back to you….
And I’m back. Brian at Gate City e-mailed me back to say that yes, indeed, this is a bottom fermented porter. Nice!
My mug of Gate City Terminus Porter arrived a jet-black color with a rich chocolaty powdered cocoa nose. Taking a sip the beer has moderate body, light espresso but huge slightly bitter cocoa notes with balancing roast and a little warming alcohol in the finish.
I am impressed! This beer is certainly smooth enough to be a Baltic Porter. I’ll have to try it again to be sure. And again. And again…..
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler