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Russian River Porter

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One drinker notes toasty malts, a big roast that lingers and a biting bitter finish. This was the first beer ever brewed at the Korbel facility, and the recipe is very close to its original formulation. It is bittered with Brewers Gold, with Cascade and Celeia added in the middle and late boil. Untappd lists it at 5.75% ABV.

ABV
5.75%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark28
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
roastedtoastymalty
roasted
toasty
malty
hoppy
chocolate
coffee
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced roasted malt and toasted grain notes, followed by a secondary layer of cocoa and dark coffee.
also:dark fruit
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Russian River Porter

◎ Appearance

Deep brown to nearly black, with a color saturation suggesting significant roasted malt character. The head is modest but persistent, with fine carbonation that maintains a thin collar of foam. Clarity is good, allowing the dark liquor to shine with subtle translucence at the edges.

deep brownpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced roasted malt and toasted grain notes, followed by a secondary layer of cocoa and dark coffee. Brewers Gold bittering hops contribute a subtle herbal undertone, while late additions of Cascade and Celeia add a faint floral whisper beneath the dominant dark roast character.

roasted maltcocoacoffeeherbal hop

◐ Taste

Entry is rich and malty with toasted grain flavors that coat the palate. Mid-palate brings forward chocolate and coffee notes with a developing bitterness that builds steadily. The finish turns drying and assertively bitter, with the Brewers Gold providing a lingering bite that extends well beyond the swallow.

toasted grainchocolate-forwardmounting bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

The bitterness persists long and noticeably, creating a lingering aftertaste that emphasizes hop character over residual sweetness. This is a distinctly dry, assertive finish that invites contemplation rather than quick refreshment.

lingering bitterdry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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 Russian River Porter

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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, toasty, bitter character as Russian River Porter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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