Beer Styles

What is a Baltic Porter? It's a strong, dark beer from the Baltic region, known in Polish as porter bałtycki. It has 6.5 to 9.5 percent alcohol, an original gravity of 14.7 to 21.6 degrees Plato — meaning plenty of sugar from the malt before fermentation — and a very dark color between brown and black. Bitterness sits between 20 and 40 IBU.

The name Porter comes from London, where the beer originated in the 1720s; who invented it is unknown. The often-told story of Ralph Harwood dates from 1802 and has no earlier documentation. The style traveled across the Baltic and was recreated in Poland, the Baltic states, and Scandinavia, soon mostly as a bottom-fermented beer.

The difference from English Porter is strength. An English Porter sits at 4 to 5.4 percent and is top-fermented, while a Baltic Porter is considerably stronger and rounder. What usually distinguishes it from Imperial Stout, to which it's related, is the lower hop level and the bottom-fermented profile.

Żywiec Porter has been brewed since 1881 and is considered Poland's oldest Porter still available today. It's now produced at the Cieszyn brewery, but remains on the market under the Żywiec name. Okocim also brews an Okocim Porter in the Baltic tradition.

Flavor-wise, roasted malt takes center stage, joined by chocolate, caramel, coffee, and dark dried fruits like plum and raisin. The head is creamy and beige. A slight warming alcohol presence is typical of strong beers.