Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Reader's Choice #1

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 4, 2008 6:00PM

Our second annual "reader's choice" month here at "BotW" begins with a simple question from Dan Jones:

"How about Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter?"

How about it, Dan? We've been on a porter kick lately as grilling season is starting to kick into high gear. The smell of smoke normally suggests to our senses barbecue and smoke is what you get on the nose with Edmund Fitzgerald immediately upon pouring, along with a deep black color and lots of carbonation. The color hides the weight of this beer quite nicely. Edmund Fitzgerald is light-bodied; it almost feels like a lager in the mouth.

Flavors on the tongue include bittersweet chocolate and strong coffee up front, with more coffee hitting you as the beer fills your mouth. Not just coffee, but a heavy, bitter espresso that lingers long after you've finished.

Porters are always great pairs for barbecue and you can find Great Lakes selections at any liquor store worth its license. Dan Jones is also in the running for a Chicagoist t-shirt with his recommendation for Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald porter, Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."