Porter beers have a long and sorted history. Originally the poor man’s pint, porter was also the first beer aged directly at the brewery and delivered to the pub fit to drink. Fast forward a few centuries and porter has become one of the most diverse styles of beer available today. From dry to sweet, hoppy to malty, and sessionable to imperial, ithere are endless possibilities when it comes to porter. Last week, New York’s Blind Tiger Ale House celebrated these historical suds with their first “style event” of 2011.

“We will be serving 14 porters on draught! This should prove to be a exceptionally dynamic event – with the porter style represented from breweries around the globe and ABVs all over the map as well. Draft list: Fullers London Porter, Sinebrychoff Porter, Avery New World Porter, Hopfenstark Baltic Porter De L’Ancrier, Nogne Porter, Captain Lawrence Imperial Smoked Porter, Stone Smoked Porter, Victory Baltic Thunder, Brooklyn Cookie Jar Porter, J.W. Lees Manchester Star 1884 on Cask, Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter, Smuttynose Robust Porter, Founders Porter, Bayerischer Bahnhof Porticus”

We tasted several porters throughout the night, opting to reach for some imported and unique brews and pass on the tried and true staples. For example, instead of reaching for one of my staple beers, Stone Smoked Porter, I had a chance to sample the Captain Lawrence Imperial Smoked Porter. This is the base beer for their Smoke from the Oak series, but the un-aged version easily stood up on its own. The 12% ABV porter was rich and meaty, and we actually preferred this version more than the barrel aged variations, finding it more appropriate for the chaotic bar atmosphere than it’s multi-faceted siblings.

Another fantastic brew was the Baltic Porter De L’Ancrier from Quebec’s Hopfenstark brewery. Hiding its 8% alcohol well, the De L’Ancrier was incredibly dry with a unique tart character uncommon in modern porters. Instead of the big milk chocolate we have become accustomed to, there were apples, raisins and bitter chocolate flavors along with hints of tobacco and ash. Both complex and balanced, the De L’Ancrier was an excellent example of the breath of the porter style. This one is well worth seeking out.

Also notable was the Nogne O Porter. While widely distributed here on the east coast, and available at most better craft beer stores, it is still always a treat to find on tap. Nogne O brews these impeccably cohesive beers… masterfully balancing the malt, hops and yeast. Their porter is no exception. While there are no outlandish flavors or fancy brewing tricks, it is a rock solid, easy drinking, and slightly hoppy (for European standards) porter. For me, there is a certain enjoyment to exceptionally crafted, balanced beers – something I also relish in Hill Farmstead’s beers – and Nogne O are masters and finding that ideal. If you have passed on this beer before, I suggest you pick one up next time you are in the store.

Oh, and there were wings… the Blind Tiger makes awesome wings which go great with porter.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM PORTER NIGHT AT BLIND TIGER ON FLICKR

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Why you should go
Sixpoint will be running all 10 taps at this Park Slope beer-haven with pints at $5-$7. This is a great chance to taste the breath of their brewing skills while munching on one of Bierkraft’s awesome sandwiches.

Where
Bierkraft – 191 Fifth Ave between Berkeley Pl and Union St, Park Slope

Tap List
Gorilla Warfare 2010
Bengali Tiger
Sweet Action
Righteous
Otis
Brownstone
Mason’s Black Wheat
Diesel Stout
Double Sweet Action
Whiskey barrel-aged Diesel Stout

ALSO TUESDAY - SOUTHERN TIER NIGHT

Why you should go
New York brewery South Tier makes some top notch, high octane ales. Bar Great Harry do some of the friendliest tastings in the city with $4 beers early and free cheese and meat. Plus you can bring in your own food to counter the effects of these delicious brews

What you should drink
Choklat Imperial Stout is one of my favorite chocolate stouts and worth a try. Also, this is the first time I have seen Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA on tap so grab a glass!

Also

Where
Bar Great Harry – Smith Street and Sackett, Carrol Gardens

Tap List
Choklat Imperial Stout
Backburner Imperial Barley Wine
IPA
Unearthly Imperial IPA
Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA
Gemini Double IPA
Phin and Matt’s Ale

WEDNESDAY, 2/24 – GOOSE ISLAND INVADES THE TIGER

Why you should go
Goose Island is making some of the best, and most diverse beers in America right now. Tonight they invade one of the city’s creme de la creme bars, Blind Tiger, and take over a commanding 33 lines. This is a great chance to taste some Goose Island brews that you’ve never even heard of and will probably never make it to NYC again

Where
Blind Tiger Ale House – 281 Bleecker St at Jones St.

Tap List
Goose Island Hopped Honkers (Cask) – English Bitter
Goose Island Oatmeal Stout (Nitro) – Oatmeal Stout
Goose Island IPA (Nitro) – IPA
Goose Island Honkers – English Bitter
Goose Island IPA
Goose Island 312 – Summer Ale
Goose Island Matilda – Belgian Ale
Goose Island Pere Jacques – Belgian Abbey Ale
Goose Island Bourbon County Brandy Stout – Imp. Stout
Goose Island Mild Winter – American Mild
Goose Island Extra Pale Ale – Pale Ale
Goose Island Robert Burns – Scottish Ale
Goose Island Liquid Inspiration Stout – American Stout
Goose Island Lake Effect Winter Ale – Imp. Red
Goose Island Golden Goose Pilsner
Goose Island Aviator Dopplebock
Goose Island Crop to Cup Rind Grind Stout – Uh, Coffee Stout
Goose Island Lincoln Park Lager – Vienna Lager
Goose Island Midway IPA – IPA
Goose Island Vanilla BCS – Imp. Stout
Goose Island Lolita – Raspberry Belgian Ale
Goose Island Lil’ Smokey – Rauch Bock
Goose Island White City – Imperial Witbier
Goose Island Brew 4000 – Belgian Imperial IPA
Goose Island Night Stalker – Imp. Stout
Goose Island Pepe Nero – Black Saison
Goose Island Blonde Rascal – Belgian Golden Ale
Goose Island Rye County Stout – Imp. Stout
Goose Island Bourbon Lolita – Raspberry Belgian Ale
Goose Island Lex – Raspberry Saison
Goose Island Belgian Double (Cask) – Dubbel
Goose Island Sgt. Peppercorn – Stout



ALSO WEDNESDAY – SIXPOINT  5TH ANNIVERSARY CONTINUES

Why you should go
For one, you get to play Tapper while drinking and how cool is that. For two, Sixpoint will be raiding the taps with 17 lines and casks for you two try. There will be lots of rare and one-off stuff to try so if you are a Sixpoint fan than this is not to be missed

Where
Barcade – Union St. and Powers St

Tap List
Gorilla Warfare 2008
Gorilla Warfare 2010
Gorilla Warfare Cask conditioned with coffee
Bengali Tiger
Sweet Action
Righteous
Otis
Brownstone
Mason’s Black Wheat
Diesel Stout
Double Sweet Action
Hops of Love
Express
Experimental Beer #1
Experimental Beer #2
Experimental Beer #3

SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2/27 & 2/28 – THE TRAPPIST SESSIONS

Why you should go
Get a fast-tracked course in Belgian beers tonight as Swift brings a tasting of all the true Trappist (aka made by the monks, not commissioned by them) Belgian ales. You may have had a lot of these before but it is amazing to taste them side by side and notice the subtle differences (note, this is $50 but you get a lot of bang for your buck including crazy tastings, Murray’s cheeses, cured meats and lots of knowledge)

What you should drink
Everything is absolutely amazing but Rochefort 8 and Koningshoeven La Trappe Isid’or are some favorites

Where
Swift Hiberian Lounge – 34 East 4th St bet Lafayette and Bowery

Tasting List
Chimay (Première, Cinq Cents and Grande Réserve)
Orval
Westmalle (Dubbel and Tripel)
Rochefort (6, 8 and 10)
Achel (Bruin and Blond)
Koningshoeven (Quadrupel and La Trappe Isid’or)
Vertical Tasting of Chimay Grande Réserve Vintages (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009)