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Anchor Porter

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A classic American porter with dark chocolate, coffee and roasted grain. Full-bodied but smooth, with a dry finish. Revived by Anchor in 1974, helping to reintroduce dark craft beer to American drinkers.

ABV
5.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedchocolatecoffee
roasted
chocolate
coffee
malty
toasty
dark fruit
Aroma
Inviting nose dominated by roasted malt and dark chocolate notes with a prominent coffee character that's neither harsh nor overly bitter.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Anchor Porter

◎ Appearance

Deep, opaque black color with a rich dark brown hue when held to light, characteristic of the 40 SRM rating. A thick, creamy tan head forms and persists well, indicating excellent head retention. The beer displays excellent clarity despite its dark appearance, with fine carbonation evident throughout.

opaque blackcreamy tan headdeep brownwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

Inviting nose dominated by roasted malt and dark chocolate notes with a prominent coffee character that's neither harsh nor overly bitter. Subtle hints of dark fruit and earthy undertones complement the roasted grain foundation, while a light caramel sweetness rounds out the aromatic profile. The aroma is well-balanced and inviting without aggressive hop presence.

roasted maltdark chocolatecoffeecaramel sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate opens with robust roasted and malty flavors that develop into rich dark chocolate and subtle coffee notes at the mid-palate. Full-bodied and smooth for its style, with balanced bitterness (38 IBU) that complements rather than dominates, allowing dark fruit and nutty undertones to emerge. The malt backbone is substantial yet refined, delivering complexity without heaviness.

roasted chocolatesmooth full-bodiedbalanced bitternessnutty complexity

◑ Finish

A clean, dry finish that doesn't linger excessively, leaving behind pleasant echoes of roasted grain and subtle coffee. The aftertaste is refreshingly crisp without astringency, making this porter approachable despite its darker character.

drycleancrisp finish
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
85
Appearance
86
Finish
82
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C. Too cold mutes the roasted complexity that makes a good porter worth drinking slowly.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within 6–12 months for best results. Baltic Porters can be aged longer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Anchor Porter

More from Anchor Brewing Company

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Anchor Steam Beer
California Common
4.9% · 28 IBU
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About Porter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Porter?

Porters are dark ales with 4–6.5% ABV and IBU 18–35. Roasted malt brings chocolate, caramel and toffee — medium body with a clean finish.

Finding a similar Porter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, chocolate, dry character as Anchor Porter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Porters in hopIQ

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