Every week, we take a look at a craft beer brewed in Florida. Follow #FloridaBeerFriday for more reviews of Sunshine State brews. Get out there and #DrinkLocal.
With the holiday season in full swing, I thought it might be beneficial to share some gold. This #FloridaBeerFriday is all about Pop's Porter, a gold medal-winning beer from Wynwood Brewing Company in Miami.
This 6.2 percent ABV robust porter is handcrafted in the Wynwood area, right on Brewer's Row, and comes in at 41 International Bittering Units.
For scholars delving into the 2015 style guide of the Beer Judge Certification Program (the organization that many consider a strong authority on beer style definitions), this beer would be classified as an American Porter, style 20A, formerly named "Robust Porter." They're described simply as being "a substantial, malty dark beer with a complex and flavorful dark malt character." From the looks of things, we should be right on track.
The brewery won top honors (gold medal) in the Robust Porter category for this beer at the Great American Beer Festival 2014 in Denver. They ended up being the only gold medal given to a beer in the state of Florida during that year’s competition and from what I've experienced here, rightfully so.
Pop's Porter pours an onyx black supporting some moderate khaki foam that slowly falls. Chicory and baker's chocolate highlight the aroma, with a bit of roasted coffee. It's not overly strong, but some light swirling brings it all into the open. As for flavor, it holds a light to medium body with a good roasted malt profile; a bit of pleasing dark chocolate and bitterness. The middle and end hold the bulk of the bittering, which lingers a bit on the back. It finally finishes with a bittersweet chocolate feel in the mouth.
Luckily a trip to Miami isn't necessary to sample this fine beverage; a simple trip to your local craft beer retailer will suffice. Six-packs of 12-ounce bottles are available at around $10.49.
Wynwood Brewing is located at 565 NW 24th St, Miami. Call 305-982-8732, or visit wynwoodbrewing.com.
Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers. He is a Certified Beer Server and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.