Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Reader's Choice #4

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 25, 2008 6:00PM

Taking a look at the reader's choice selections this go-round, it looks as though I roped myself into a style theme. Three of the four selections — including this week's — have been porters. By no means was this intentional; they were simply the selections that stood out the most.

Digressing, this week's selection comes from D.H. "The Meterologist" Lee. His words about Anchor Porter:

"I know it's not the most summery beer, but it's frickin' amazing. Sweet, dark, but not too heavily-bodied. There's kind of caramel and coffee flavors in there, too. It's really good cold, but not TOO cold, and I like one before bed sometimes."

That's just the Cliff's Notes. Reading the beer menu at Hopleaf, where it sells for $5 a bottle, owner Mike Roper writes that it's "slightly different in body than many porters." Both Roper and Lee are right in their assessments. Anchor Porter isn't as heavy on mouthfeel as other examples of the style, but the malts they use for brewing provide some rich, complex flavors that get better as the beer warms to surrounding temperature. Chilled it reminds me of an iced coffee at times, then the chocolate becomes more prominent as the beer loses the chill. You can also find Anchor Porter at Quenchers.

Thanks again to all the readers who sent in their suggestions. If you have a recommendation, please don't hesitate to shoot an e-mail. And a Chicagoist tip of the hat to the Meterologist, who recommended Anchor Porter as Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."