Fuller’s London Porter

Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London

11.2 fluid ounces Chilled Bottle

Pint Glass

Griffin Brewery has had more than 300 years to develop the perfect recipe for brewing a perfect English porter; if it doesn’t lay claim to the title yet, it is damn close.

Look: The London Porter pours black into the glass, but held up to the light, it’s ruddy garnet. The body looks thinly carbonated despite supporting a thick, beige head approximately 2 inches in size. 3.5/5

Smell: The aroma is extremely subtle, but I believe coffee, milk chocolate, and dark licorice are the biggest components at play. I found it a bit boring and wanting, but I’ll acknowledge the light smell serves to make the big taste all the more accentuated. 2/5

Taste: A creamy, thin consistency and a complex flavor offering coax this exceptional porter down the throat. The flavor begins sweet, with chocolate and molasses, and transitions into bitter hops that finish off in strong roasted notes. 4.7/5

Overall: Fuller’s London Porter is worth a try if you’re in the market for an English ale. It’s light enough that you can enjoy a few over the course of a couple hours or with dinner but complex enough to keep your mouth entertained throughout. 10.2/15