Imperial Stout and Porters

The first time you took a sip of a dark beer you immediately loved it or hated it. For those that wanted more, a little exploration uncovered porter. This sweet, malty brew was like no other and until recently was very illusive.

Porters were created in the early seventeen hundreds and were instantly popular. The recipe was named after the tough dock workers in London's shipping industry who embraced this hearty brew as their own. Because of its global success, other the porter recipes were created including stout-porter and Russian imperial porter.

Irish stout-porter, or stout, is a porter-style beer made by following the standard porter recipe of malted barley. What makes it different is the addition of roasted barley to the mash to give it a smoky, chewy, 'stout' flavor.

The global popularity of porter way back then brought attention from the Russian Czar. Because the journey to the Russian Imperial Court took months, London brewers created a porter that could withstand the challenges of the long boat trip across the Baltic Sea. Higher alcohol and the use of more hops helped insure that this new porter recipe would arrive at its destination in a drinkable condition. Not only was this recipe a success with the Russians, but the rest of the world embraced its robust flavor as well.

The popularity of stouts and porters sustained until the turn of the twentieth century. Once best sellers, they dwindled in popularity to the point were many brewers stopped producing them by the 1980s. Fortunately for us, the renewed interest in imported beer and the microbrewery resurgence made porter a staple in the American retail market once again.

Flying Dog's tribute to Hunter S. Thompson is a delicious accolade to not only Thompson's discriminating beer palate, but to the tradition of brewing intensely rich beer for noblemen. This four pack is a whopping 9.5% alcohol by volume, in the tradition of true Russian Imperial Porters, so drink it with respect. In the words of the late Dr. Gonzo, "Good people drink good beer."

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