What even is Baltic Porter? | The Craft Beer Channel

Inspired by a live show with Pohjala, we dig into the history of Baltic Porter to learn its origins then try three very different examples to see how that lager yeast and lager process makes them different from an Imperial Stout. We just about manage to hold it together after three 10% beers, but it's a close run thing.
Support us on Patreon (get cool merch): / craftbeerchannel
Buy our favourite craft beer gear!
Our first book, Beer School: amzn.to/3lqF0kd
Our second book, The London Craft Beer Guide: amzn.to/3nn8VLQ
Best bottle opener ever: amzn.to/2EEW0QF
Our camera: amzn.to/2JHJsfk
Best lens ever: amzn.to/30MszWl
Our second fav lens: amzn.to/30P5yC0
Best shotgun mic ever: amzn.to/2JHlGQX
Lapel mic for your phone (!): amzn.to/2MdgA0V
FOLLOW US!
Twitter - @beerchannel
Facebook - / thecraftbeerchannel
Instagram - @craftbeerchannel @jonnygarrett @mrbradevans
Remember to drink responsibly(ish) and not be that guy...

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Crushable imperial stout anyone?

[@micahmaxton861]

pro tip: watch series at Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@gaellucas8705]

@Micah Maxton definitely, I've been using Flixzone for months myself =)

[@meinhd1483]

In Poland the Baltic Porter is a very popular style of beer. The ones out here have a distinctive plumb aroma and after-taste, the average alcohol content being 9% - 10%. The stouts are harder to come by but are usually a bit more bitter in taste, with some having a chocolatey aroma.

[@jimjewell9438]

I like Komes Baltic Porter (9% ABV) from Poland. They also have a Russian Imperial Stout (12% ABV) that I like. I’ve aged the RIS for 18 months or more and it really improved with age. Great video, I really like all the great information you pack into 15 minutes.

[@purebaldness]

Their porter is wonderful. Never knew about the RIS though. I bet that's great! Cheers

[@ixyrt7096]

I had a luck to get their RIS that was kept in barrels after bourbon

[@mrougelot]

CBC: “Baltic porter is a crushable imperial stout”. Looking forward to the next upload: Eisbocks, the new sessionable beers.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

As the saying goes, every beer is a session beer if you believe in yourself.

[@rustyshackelford312]

I got vaccinated and went skating to the sly fox tap room in downtown Pittsburgh. First beer I had in a bar in over a year. Just felt like sharing.

[@johno7617]

Good for you. My second shot is next monday.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Great to hear!

[@hamishmacrae6084]

Ahhhhh - you're making me want to run over the road & pick up some baltic porters now! I really like how "educational" these videos are - like the history of different beers...I wish school had been more like this!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha maybe we should found our own school

[@kw2142]

In Belgium, in some schools they still served tafel bier or table beer in the canteens until the 90s! I kid you not! I grew up there......it's called Piedboeuf & it's roughly around 1.5% in alcohol. If you combine this with some basic chemistry lessons about beer then you're onto a winner. You'd be churning out brewer after brewer.......oh wait yeah that's Belgium lol

[@kevinpayne3482]

I’m having a framing hammer Baltic porter from jacks abbey as I watch, cheers!👍🏻🍻

[@poisonfists]

Jack's Abbey over here in the U.S. (Massachusetts) has built their great reputation on Lagers and Baltic Porters in particular. Great stuff.

[@MarsMountain]

I've tried a few Pohjala porters and they were all excellent!

[@heretobrew]

Great video guys. My beer mates love Baltic Porters, but for the first time I can approach them without wondering why we aren't just drinking imperial stouts. I actually had a porter from Bracket Brewing (Syd, Aus) recently that was so fresh and tasted like forest fruits, and now I see how the style could do that. Thanks!

[@ofir_likes_beer]

My favorite style. ever.

[@bobcichy1240]

In Poland we even have a Baltic Porter day on January. Many great Baltic porters in Poland.

[@Quest4Tube]

Just had my first Baltic Porter last week and was wondering about it thanks.

[@johnmccray5904]

Just found this channel, great stuff! Glad you did a piece on Baltic Porters, I started enjoying them after making trips to the local eastern european market here. I would get some Obolon, Okocim, or Baltika…a few others that escape my memory. Great stuff. And Black Boss is great!

[@VelkyAl]

Next time you get to Virginia, or if someone can get some over the the UK, you should try Devils Backbone's Danzig Baltic Porter, one of the best classic Baltic Porters being made in the US today.

[@MAVJ]

That's the beer that introduced me to the style, great beer!

[@jonathang.5092]

Just crawling out from under my rock. I've never even heard of Baltic Porter. Once again, glad I stopped by!

[@anthonylambert4523]

Loads of different breweries here in Germany making Baltic Porters. A lot of them in what was the old East Germany along the Baltic Sea coast (of course) My personal favourite is from the Störtebeker Brauerei Cheers lads.

[@Hairycheese1]

A new upload always gets me excited to broaden my beer horizons!

[@niklas3449]

You should try Sinebrychoff Baltic Porter.

[@MicahDouglas]

Braybrooke do a great one! But I did think 'why would a lager brewery do this...?' (now it allll makes sense)

[@liamhughes2163]

Them Rosie cheeks by the end 🤣

[@rodrigog.m.3555]

Hearing you talk about all these uncommon styles leaves me dying to taste one!! Someday I will travel to UK and have an amezing beer day

[@SpiritusBythos]

Amazing Beer Day - film it and put it on youtube;)

[@adamsvetlik6636]

Pohjala 😍

[@samsteele9868]

I found the Braybrooke one to be fantastic. Refreshing yet stouty.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Sales tagline right there!

[@danielgrant1725]

Enjoyed that and also learning more on a style I have been enjoying

[@S6king87]

May I suggest a video on Grodziskie/Gratzer?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Totally! We are researching that style at the moment.

[@S6king87]

Cool! Looking forward to it.

[@viper29ca]

The only Pohjala I have ever had was Öö and it was fantastic!

[@lornemalec2249]

Hi-Wire Brewing in Ashevile, North Carolina has an excellent true to style Baltic Porter.

[@kw2142]

wow thanks, great video, now i know the difference between a baltic porter & an imperial stout!

[@Jaap-Relou]

It’s simply just awesome 🍻😎 cheers lads

[@TimBrownbread]

I spent a day with Sophie at Burnt mill last year as part of my apprenticeship, such a cool little brewery!

[@BiscuitGeoff]

They had an IPA in M&S, of all places, that was pretty good. I don’t know if it was from the brewery or not.

[@TimBrownbread]

@@BiscuitGeoff Yeah I think thats their west coast ipa called high hopes!

[@johno7617]

If youre ever in Framingham, MA usa try jacks abby framighammer baltic porter

[@martynG7769]

Would be nice if you guys could do a video on the shape of glasses for specific types of beer.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Hey Martyn - we have something similar to this in the planning stages! But we are going to make it a very special video indeed.

[@cl7422]

Damn I love this channel... Cheers from New Jersey! Craft beer scene here is pretty amazing believe it or not. Would love to see you guys have some of our local brews one day!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

We have had some great beer from NJ - hope to visit one day!

[@purebaldness]

Another great video. Do you think it would be worth making an episode about doppelbocks? Yet another amazing style of lager that isn't what most folk would eggspect.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

100% we'll get to doppelbocks soon. Missed the usual time (March) but we'll circle back around!

[@shaggaroo]

Great vid! Makes me want to brew one...

[@KentWillumsen]

I have only tried Baltika 6 Porter from my local Russian store in Barcelona of all places

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Woah! Love that there is Baltic Porter in Barcelona!

[@xray890]

Same in Lisbon, can only find Baltika. Miss the Zywiec Porter. Classic Polish Baltic Porter.

[@zachberquist7285]

What do you guys consider Black Boss from Poland? It gives me Baltic Porter vibes, but not sure, haven't researched it yet.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Afraid I've never heard of it

[@MeFee100]

Yes, that's Baltic porter made by brewery " Witnica " in western Poland. That was exported to Sweden for sure and probably to other Scandinavian countries as well.

[@zachberquist7285]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel That's ok, I thought it was a common brew to find, we had it all over the Portland, Oregon area. Must be an odd one the regional suppliers get. If you have the opportunity try it for sure, old school beer

[@johnmccray5904]

I love Black Boss. Great Baltic Porter.

[@neilbowers6956]

Something tells me you were both a little bit worse for wear after drinking these 3 beers. I'm glad you liked the Burnt Mill one, they're making some great beers at the moment and this is no exception. I will have to try the other 2, they sound quite interesting.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha yeah we were not our sharpest by the end.

[@sevenman9672]

Burnt Mill do great work, one of my 'dark horse' brewers for a few years now and I'm glad to see them getting more recognition.

[@Gillian_Seed]

Baltic porters are common here cause of alot of polish people here I get the zywiec Baltic Porter I thought it was basically Ice beer but Guinness because of the porter it's cheap here too like 2 bucks a pint

[@Gillian_Seed]

Good beer though

[@adammyren8279]

How many beers did you actually try this particular evening? Baltic porters + Cloudwater + ? 😅

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Oh and more besides!

[@ii__jon_snow__ii4873]

It’s good that’s all I kno 🍺

[@purebaldness]

Does anyone know where you can buy the Zywiec Porter in the UK? I used to get it from a Polish webstore but they no longer stock it. I've had a fair few Polish baltic porters and I honestly think the Zywiec is the best I've had

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Afraid not! But we'll keep an eye out, would be intrigued to taste it

[@purebaldness]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel highly recommended. It seems to be the benchmark of the style. So tragic that it isn't imported here!

[@meinhd1483]

@@purebaldness I agree that Poland's Zywiec makes a great Baltic Porter. Had it in NYC once (of all places). In Poland, it is very easy to find. Try finding a Polish store in a bigger city. They might have it. 🍺

[@modgrip805]

A Kolsch fermented Porter! What a great fucking idea!

[@aleksandarhadeljan5279]

you have kolsch or altbier that are ales but they are lagered hibrid beer

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Indeed you do! We mention it in the video!

[@adamrohrlach8598]

So, this might be a dumb question, but is a Baltic Porter really an imperial Schwarzbier? Or is a Schwarzbier really a Session Baltic Porter?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Well there is no real lineage there we know of - Baltic Porter is a Porter with lager yeast. But in terms of flavours, an imperial schwartzbier might be a helpful way to look at it, though it has a lot more body and sweetness.

[@selbyrefs862]

What temp do you test your beers out of fridge or not?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

It depends on the style - these beers we aimed for about 10C so cellar temperature but hoppier styles and lagers we would make sure they were well chilled.

[@1408Zodiac]

This style seems very similar to a Norwegian double/trriple bokk (seems to be darker then german bock). Have anyone tried both and know if there is a big difference in the styles? Or have we Norwegians just misunderstood the bock and made it into an baltic porter ? :P

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Woah we didnt know about these bokks. Can you tell us more!?

[@1408Zodiac]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Sure I'm not very good at beer history, but it is a very dark lager wich was the strongest beer made by norwegian breweries at the beginning of industrial brewing in Norway. The roots are from bock beer but probably due to the climate and such it was never an ale. And it also seems to be darker. Probably to distinguish itself from bayer beer wich was a very popular style at the time (amber beer). Nowadays it's mostly popular as a christmas beer with alot of spices added. Google also tells me it was drunk by polar explorers wich is cool I guess 😂

[@adamszymon660]

Hi guys, do you ever heared of #balticporterday ?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

No! When is it?!

[@adamszymon660]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Next one will be on 15.01.2022. First baltic porter day was in 2016

[@ZionForman]

Baltic Porter, I knew that

[@Yoghi09]

Most Baltic porter I tried Got that dry plum notes. In Poland statment "less % stout" woudnt fly. Some crazy brewers make ice blatic porters with icebock proces. You can buy directly form Poland delivery to UK on piwnemosty.pl web Shop of 100 mostów brewery, they have polish stuff but also this pohala I think. Loads porters to chose from.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha well yes in modern times it seems the ABVs have shot up, but historically and indeed the lower strength was part of the style as it was a Porter, not a Stout.

[@craighatto]

Ok, whats the difference between a baltic porter and a dark lager?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha great question. Strength and amount of roasty notes from either black or brown malt (the latter being historical). Doppelbocks are def very similar to these beers but lacking body and roast.

[@FatherEarth93]

Man, would I love these bigger beers to be delivered in a slightly smaller format. 33 cl. cans would be fine. Would cut down on costs per beer for me as well total alcohol consumed. On Baltic Porters, try Öö (Night) by Pohjala, their core porter. It's great!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Indeed but that would require buying 10,000s of smaller cans for breweries that mostly go into 440s! The minimum orders on cans are insane.

[@verykeen2please]

F88ing lethal is what it is lol

[@danielellevsen9320]

"Between Denmark and ... ah ... Scandinavia." The place is called Norway. Come on Johnny!

[@markhamstra1083]

Actually, he was probably searching for Øresund (a.k.a. The Sound), the strait between Denmark and Sweden.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha this convo shows exactly why I hesitated! Couldn't remember exactly which country the sound went between.

[@adammyren8279]

Sulfur? Did the last beer smell like fart?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Ha - no, sulphur is a pretty common flavour compound especially in lagers and is a nice bit of complexity when in very small doses.

[@adammyren8279]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Jokes on me then.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

What the hell is that insane bass surround ultra loud jingle ? This almost gave me a heart attack, please lower the volume on that or just remove that jingle =(

[@kw2142]

what is a dark lager? lol

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Uho - we'll get to that!

[@mig0000001]

So it's basically bullshit

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

How so?