Calling Beer Experts

[TheNinja]

What is the main difference between a porter and a stout? Both seem very dark and more malty than hoppy to me. Is there a difference in the type of mash or amount of hops used? Is there a difference in the process?

A breakdown of Ale vs Red vs Lager vs Stout vs Porter vs etc. might also be very interesting to read.

Dang...now I'm thirsty

 

[GimpyOne]

Might want to try the Beer Judge Certification Program. They appear to have some pretty big explainations on every type of brew there is:

http://www.bjcp.org/

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: GimpyOne
Might want to try the Beer Judge Certification Program. They appear to have some pretty big explainations on every type of brew there is:

http://www.bjcp.org/

Escellent source. There are many great books out there too. "Designing Great Beers" is a great read for beer enthusiasts even if you don't brew your own.

 

[axnff]

Both styles overlap quite a bit. In fact, you could think of porters as the lower third of (bitter) Stouts. Basically, for maltiness, bitterness, and color, Porters and Stouts start off the same (IIRC, Porter was originally a style of stout favored by the Porters from the train stations).

However, Stouts get much darker, much more bitter, and much maltier (unfermented sugars, technically). Stouts also include the "Cream" and "Oatmeal" varieties, which tend to be sweeter and smoother than any porter. I would also mention that I have never seen a Porter recipe that called for any substantial amount of roasted barley (not malted) which is used to give many Stouts their distinctive, coffee-like taste.

There might be other, more subtle differences, I'm just an occasional homebrewer...

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

its a very fuzzy boundary.

to plagarize from a realbeer post:

http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass....t&CatID=298

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/drink_f...uts_history.asp

 

[preslove]

I really like a good porter and a maduro cigar hhhhmmmmm

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

According to Ray Daniels, author of "Designing Great Beers", stouts were originally a sort of subdivision of porters. Namely, when someone would ask for a stout porter he was asking for a strong porter; much in the same way someone can ask for a "hoppy pale ale"

 

[TheNinja]

All very interesting and informative responses so far. Thanks everyone -- some good links in here too.