How To Tell The Difference Between Porter vs Stout
Porter and stout are each a meal of a beer: nutty, bready, frothy, and filling. Distinguishing the two isn’t always easy. But we are here to clear things up for you. Our handy porter vs stout guide will help you sleep at night and impress your friends when you can tell them definitively what style you’re knocking back at the next gathering. And because we care and don’t want to make you read all the words when you just wanted to know one thing: Guinness is a stout, not a porter.
Porter vs Stout Brewing Methods
Porters and stouts originated in 18th-century England, where they evolved from stronger brown ales. The primary difference in their brewing methods is the type of malt used. Porters tend to use malted barley, while stouts often incorporate roasted, unmalted barley, giving them their more intense, roasted flavors.
Like all beer styles, methods can and do overlap. Guinness, itself, uses both malted and unmalted barley, although the latter is a fairly recent addition. In the interest of clarity, however, you can generally assume a porter is made with malted barley while a stout is not.
Additionally, both stouts and porters are ales, meaning they have been brewed with top-fermenting yeast. This generally produces a higher alcohol content and fruitier aroma than the bottom-fermenting yeast used for lagers.
Stout vs Porter Taste & Appearance
The taste and appearance of porter vs. stout also reveal notable differences.
Porters
Porters are generally smoother and slightly sweeter, with chocolate, caramel, and toffee flavors coming through. Porters sometimes appear slightly lighter, with a ruby or reddish tint when held up to the light.
Stouts
Stouts are known for their robust roasted flavors, often accompanied by notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and even hints of smokiness. Stouts are typically opaque, with a thicker body and creamy head.
Porter vs Stout Name Origins
Why Is It Called “Porter” Beer?
The name “porter” comes from the beer’s popularity among London’s working-class porters in the 18th century. A porter was hired to transPORT goods throughout the city. Many were officially licensed and wore a special pewter badge. There were two main types of porter:
- Fellowship porters worked at the docks unloading salt and coal
- Ticket porters carried anything else, from parcels to produce
Portering could be extremely labor intensive. Deliverables could weigh well over 300 pounds, requiring 3-4 porters to carry them. Even smaller items might need to be taken miles across the city. Needless to say, these gents were burning a lot of calories, and they needed a way to replenish them quickly and cheaply. Beer fit the bill, and the dark, rich brews the porters favored eventually came to be named after them.
Why Is It Called “Stout” Beer?
This is kind of a chicken and egg scenario. Well, not really. Porters came first, and “stout” porters came after. Stout was a term used to first describe the strength of a beer, and later its appearance and taste. Stouts were, and are, a fuller bodied, darker version of a porter, generally with a higher alcohol content.
Subtypes of Porter vs Stout
Porter Subtypes:
American Porter
This style is often hoppier and more robust than traditional English porters. It might include additional flavors like coffee or chocolate. Our Post Card Porter, for EXAMPLE, is an American style porter that is a perfect balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness, if we do say so ourselves (more on that later).
Brown Porter
Brown porters are mild, less bitter, and more malty sweet. The flavors are often more subtle, with caramel and nutty undertones.
Baltic Porter
Baltic porters originate in Eastern Europe and are much stronger in alcohol content than traditional porters. They have a velvety mouthfeel and rich flavors, often including dark fruits, chocolate, and licorice.
Subtypes of Stout Beer:
Irish Stout Beer
Irish stout beer is famous for its dry, roasted flavor. This style is most closely associated with Guinness. Stouts are typically lower in alcohol and have a dry finish.
Imperial Stout Beer
Imperial stouts are stronger and bolder, with a higher alcohol content and intense flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and sometimes dark fruits. They’re often aged in barrels to enhance their complexity.
Oatmeal Stout Beer
This style incorporates oats into the brewing process, resulting in a smoother, creamier mouthfeel. Oatmeal stouts are typically less bitter and have a soft, velvety texture.
Prepare To BE TransPORTERed
This month’s drop is malty, chocolatey, and so velvety, you’ll think you’re drinking melted ice cream. We balance the sweetness with a subtle bitterness that gives off a roasted coffee flavor and aroma. Stop by our brewery today to sample the Post Card Porter, our latest and greatest. Get it on tap or in a can.
