A subtly smoky porter that shows just how appealing a beer can be when the brewer uses a light touch with the smoked malts.

As expected of the style, this beer displayed hints of coffee, cocoa and earthy hops in the aroma, which is complex and constantly evolving.

John Maier and Rogue weigh in with this unapologetically intense brew, brimming with notes of café mocha, caramel and sweet fruit.

A classic American take on Russian Imperial Stout, this is an inky black, brooding monster of a beer.

A huge, fruity, caramel-driven, alcohol-fueled beast of a beer.

In keeping with the classic examples of the style, this beer evinced an appetizing, velvety smooth espresso aroma with hints of plum, raisin and figs.

Characteristic of classic robust porters, this is a firmly bitter beer, with dark roast malt working in tandem with the hops, yet balanced by sweet caramel and milk chocolate.

A venerable entry in the Imperial Stout category, this broad-shouldered brew that drinks well in its youth yet achieves an incredible depth and complexity with a couple of years of bottle age.

Deep, dark, and punishingly intense, this is yet another exemplary beer from the folks at Bear Republic.

A clean, well-crafted interpretation of the style, Bell’s Porter is a highly quaffable brew that is a great introduction to the world of porters.