Michigan Brewing Peninsula PorterFour out of Four Mugs

Michigan Brewing Company successfully recreates the old-world style of the English porter with its Peninsula Porter. The porter, now a little-known style outside of the craft beer scene in the United States, was actually one of the most popular English styles in the 18th Century. Porters got their name from the blue-collar transportation worker of London that took a liking to the beer. The style traditionally uses a blending process, a type of beer production not seen outside odd-ball sour Belgian ales. The blend consisted of brown or pale ale, a low-alcohol ale, known as a ‘mild,’ and a stale or soured beer past its prime. Though the mixture doesn’t sound too appealing, the result is a smooth cocoa-like flavor with a slightly acidic feel.Peninsula diverges a bit from the traditional flavor – an American interpretation of the style, but a good one at that. Its color is a very dark ruby red, almost black, with a tan head. The aroma comes off light with faint chocolate grains. The flavor makes up for the mild aroma with cocoa flavors that finish with dark-roasted coffee and a dry bitterness. These tastes blend smoothly creating a dark, tasty and incredibly drinkable porter.Michigan microbreweries are a rarity around Syracuse, so you’ll have to head down Erie Boulevard to the Party Source for this one. While you’re there, pick up some other fine porters such as the imported Sam Smith Taddy Porter, Smuttynose Robust Porter, Anchor Porter and Sierra Nevada Porter.

Stone Pale AleFour out of four mugsA great pale ale interpretation from the California craft-beer powerhouse

McEwan’s Scotch AleOne out of four mugsSmells like old sneakers were used in the brewing process.

Xingu Black BeerTwo out of four mugsDon’t mistake this for a German-style black beer; this Brazilian dark lager is too bland.

Labatt Blue LightTwo out of four mugsPerhaps the most tasteless and inoffensive beer available, substitute for water on a hot day.