Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald

Edmund Fitzgerald is a porter from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Ohio, named for the ship lost on Lake Superior in 1975. It comes in at 5.8% ABV with 37 IBU, which puts it in the middle of the porter range: full-flavored but not heavy, and bitter enough to cut through the malt without turning harsh. It pours deep brown with a tan head. Expect roasted malt up front, with chocolate and coffee notes behind it and a firm hop bitterness underneath. The finish is dry and carries a trace of smoke, so the sweetness stays restrained. The body is medium to medium-full, and carbonation is typically moderate for the style. Serve it cool rather than ice cold, around 45 to 50°F. Straight from a cold fridge, the roast and chocolate tones tend to stay muted, and they open up after a few minutes in the glass. A standard pint glass or a nonic works well, and a tulip-style glass will hold the head and concentrate the roasted aroma a little more. Beer does not need decanting, so pour it gently down the side of the glass and let the head build. The roasted, dry profile suits food with some char or richness. Grilled sausages, smoked brisket, burgers with sharp cheddar, and slow-cooked pulled pork are natural matches, since the bitterness cleans up fat and the roast echoes the browned crust. It also works with mushroom dishes and chili, and the chocolate and coffee notes make it a reasonable partner for brownies or flourless chocolate cake. Sharp, salty cheeses such as aged cheddar or Gouda also work well. This is a drink-now beer. It is best fresh, when the hop bitterness and roast are at their most defined, and it is not a bottle to cellar for years.