Geary's London Porter
Review Date 12/26/2001
Try?
Re-buy?
Porters come in a wide variety. The vast
majority are ales, but a few (mostly known as Baltic porters) are lagers.
Yuengling in Pennsylvania also produces a bottle fermented porter, though
this is not as big a beer as the Baltic versions. Some approach stouts in
intensity, while others are a bit thin in body. American brewed porters tend
to be more robust than English ones, generally more roasty and with more
hops in the finish. Many of the newer American ones, brewed since the craft
beer renaissance here in the states, have come to be known as robust
porters, as opposed to the lighter bodied brown porters. Of course, you'll
find examples of each on both sides of the pond.
One porter that falls clearly in the English vein, however, is Geary's London Style Porter from the D.L. Geary Brewing Company in Portland Maine. Geary's has been brewing fine ales since 1984, but the London Porter is a more recent addition to their lineup. It recalls many of the softer, easy drinking porters of England such as Fuller’s London Porter, King & Barnes, and Marstons. The dark color is deceptive. Geary’s London Porter (and many of the English porters that inspired it) are not harsh or bitter brews.
The Geary brewery was the first American microbrewery east of the Rocky Mountains and uses a unique English yeast strain to ferment its brews. In fact, the founder David Geary studied in England before setting up with a Peter Austin system in Maine. Since then, many Ringwood breweries have popped up across the United States. The buttery notes they impart to beers brewed with them make for unique beers, indeed.
I’ve been drinking the London Porter almost since it’s inception. Geary’s was one of the very first microbrews I ever drank, and it’s still a favorite to this day. London Porter is brewed with English two-row malt in pale, chocolate, crystal, and black varieties. It is hopped with English Goldings and domestic Willamettes and Cascades. Alcohol content is moderate at 4.2% by volume, and puts to rest the myth that dark beers are somehow stronger in alcohol than light colored ones. Budweiser actually has a higher alcohol content than Geary’s London Porter.For some reason, Epinions has no graphic to go along with the listing of this beer. The package is attractive and features a Maine lobster on the label of a short stubby necked brown glass bottle.
A lighter bodied porter in the brown style; Geary’s London Porter is still
packed with flavor. The brew pours to a deep black color, as one would
expect for the style with a thick and creamy head formation. The nose
reveals the sharp yeasty character of Ringwood along with a slightly
coffeeish roast quality. The palate is a medley of the aforementioned
Ringwood flavors slightly overpowered by the subtle roasted malt character.
The finish is well balanced with hop bitterness, though the hops don't
intrude on the malt. A classic Old England porter made in New England.
Geary’s London Porter is available throughout New England and makes spotty appearances in other areas of the country. It’s especially delicious on draft, and I’ve quaffed many a pint at the Great Lost Bear in Portland and The Mews Tavern in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Try it with a walnut packed fudge brownie for a real treat.
One porter that falls clearly in the English vein, however, is Geary's London Style Porter from the D.L. Geary Brewing Company in Portland Maine. Geary's has been brewing fine ales since 1984, but the London Porter is a more recent addition to their lineup. It recalls many of the softer, easy drinking porters of England such as Fuller’s London Porter, King & Barnes, and Marstons. The dark color is deceptive. Geary’s London Porter (and many of the English porters that inspired it) are not harsh or bitter brews.
The Geary brewery was the first American microbrewery east of the Rocky Mountains and uses a unique English yeast strain to ferment its brews. In fact, the founder David Geary studied in England before setting up with a Peter Austin system in Maine. Since then, many Ringwood breweries have popped up across the United States. The buttery notes they impart to beers brewed with them make for unique beers, indeed.
I’ve been drinking the London Porter almost since it’s inception. Geary’s was one of the very first microbrews I ever drank, and it’s still a favorite to this day. London Porter is brewed with English two-row malt in pale, chocolate, crystal, and black varieties. It is hopped with English Goldings and domestic Willamettes and Cascades. Alcohol content is moderate at 4.2% by volume, and puts to rest the myth that dark beers are somehow stronger in alcohol than light colored ones. Budweiser actually has a higher alcohol content than Geary’s London Porter.For some reason, Epinions has no graphic to go along with the listing of this beer. The package is attractive and features a Maine lobster on the label of a short stubby necked brown glass bottle.
A lighter bodied porter in the brown style; Geary’s London Porter is still
packed with flavor. The brew pours to a deep black color, as one would
expect for the style with a thick and creamy head formation. The nose
reveals the sharp yeasty character of Ringwood along with a slightly
coffeeish roast quality. The palate is a medley of the aforementioned
Ringwood flavors slightly overpowered by the subtle roasted malt character.
The finish is well balanced with hop bitterness, though the hops don't
intrude on the malt. A classic Old England porter made in New England. Geary’s London Porter is available throughout New England and makes spotty appearances in other areas of the country. It’s especially delicious on draft, and I’ve quaffed many a pint at the Great Lost Bear in Portland and The Mews Tavern in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Try it with a walnut packed fudge brownie for a real treat.
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
