Do you like IPAs? Sure you do. These days, though, I think the American craft beer scene is suffering from IPA overload. There are American IPAs, English IPAs, San Diego IPAs, Session IPAs, Black IPAs, White IPAs, Belgian IPAs, Imperial IPAs-you get the idea. And while I like hops as much as the next guy, it’s important to remember there are plenty of other styles of beer that employ them in more subtle ways.

Like porter. I just love a good porter, be it a robust or brown one, a beer all about roasted malts balanced with just the right kiss of hops. If anything, the hops here are an afterthought in many cases, serving only to balance the finish. Such a beer is Green Man Porter from Green Man Brewing of Asheville, North Carolina, established in 1997.

Recently, I visited Asheville and hit several brewpubs and breweries there. I missed The Green Man, though-there just wasn’t enough time to visit all the wonderful breweries Asheville has to offer. A happy dilemma, that. I did bring some of their beer home with me, though.

From the bottle label:

Dark, full-bodied, and rich in flavor, Green Man Porter is wonderfully easy to drink. It offers a creamy, smooth mouthfeel and finishes with distinctive chocolate notes. This traditionally crafted, award-winning British-style Porter, like a true rock star, enjoys a legendary following.

Green Man Porter has an alcohol content of 6% by volume and 40 IBUs. The bottle label says “Robust” in bold letters, but this is more of a brown porter in my book. I picked up a few bottles at Bruisin’ Ales in downtown Asheville for $2 each; they were selling six packs for $8.99.

Green Man Porter pours to a dark brownish to black (but not opaque) color with a robust coffee and chocolate nose and a thick creamy head formation. Taking a sip, I get pleasant coffee and chocolate, mild mannered English style porter with some minty hops in the finish. Medium bodied, a little creamy to almost slightly thin.  As I said this is a nice break from the IPAs these days. It’s so smooth and easy to drink.

Excellent porter all around, well balanced and all the flavors are in proportion, this is a very delightful sipping brew. Delicious, though I think it could use just a tad more body. I love a good porter folks, and this is a good porter. I’d buy it again and again. 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

 

 

 



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