From the Brewery: 

“With deep black color, a thick, creamy head, rich chocolate, toffee and coffee flavors, and full-bodied smoothness, Anchor Porter® is the epitome of a handcrafted dark beer.

A blend of specially roasted pale, caramel, chocolate, and black malts, along with our top-fermenting yeast, creates complexity without bitterness. The brew is hopped at a high rate, and naturally carbonated. The result is dark in the glass, but surprisingly light on the palate.” 5.6% ABV

The Pour: 

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into my standard pint glass. Black in color, with a tan, bubbly, frothy head. Heavy lacing is left on the glass.

The Nose: 

Sweet malt, dark fruit/molasses, coffee. All are pretty light.

The Mouth: 

Medium-bodied and relatively easy going down. The initial taste is of the dark fruits, giving way to a lightly roasted, bittersweet coffee aftertaste that lingers for a bit on the palate.

Final Thoughts: 

There are some good base flavors in this beer, but the way they are presented is a bit muddled for my taste. The roasty notes offered are the best part of this brew, and it barely peeks its head out a short time before leaving all too soon. I prefer a porter with more roasty flavor, more coffee, and less of the molasses/dark fruit aspects. I also think I am more critical of porters and stouts, as they are my favorite. 5.5/10

Anchor Brewing Company – San Francisco, California