Porter is a type of ale which has a malting aroma and Hop bitterness. It is generally strong and dark and brewed with soft rather than hard water.
In 18th century London a beverage was made consisting of a third of a pint of ale, beer and twopenny (the strongest beer, costing twopence a quart). Harwood, a brewer, brewed a beer called Entire which blended all three in about 1720. It started to be called Porter because it was especially popular among the porters of 18th century London. Extra-strong porter was called Stout-Porter and eventually became stout. During the first world war, production of dark malt was restricted in England due to lack of coal. Thus, Irish stout was used as a replacement.
Notable Porters