Polish Porter Review

A quick review of some dark Polish brews:

Okocim Porter
Bottom fermented and strong at 8.1 percent,it is brewed by the Okocim brewery near Krakow, Poland. Very complex with a panoply of licorice, toffee, and chocolate flavors riding over a rich background of malt. Soft and smooth, it reminds one of a bock with a little more complexity. An excellent example of the lagered version of the Baltic style.

Kozlak Porter
Also brewed in Poland and bottom fermented, it is somewhat aromatic and dominated by malt. Toffee-caramel flavors are followed by a chocolate finish. As with all of these porters, the head is substantial,long-lived and brown in color. Coming in at 7.8 percent ABV, this is a perfectwinter warmer, after dinner drink, or dessert beer.

Zywiec Porter
Yet another of the relatively plentiful Polish porters, this is the granddaddy of them all at 9.3 percent ABV. The brewery has been around since 1856, the beer,since 1881.Very malty and somewhat sweet, it finishes with a dry, lightly bitter taste. The aroma is molasses and malt. Like a moderately hopped bock, with chocolate and coffee notes. This brew is bottom fermented and well rounded, with its potency hidden in its easy-drinking quality. A perfect combination of porter and doppelbock qualities make this a real treat. It would be hard to find a finer beer of any style.

I have only had ZP, very good, but why sell in those small bottles!

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