Tasting

What does Baltic Porter taste like? The first sip brings sweetness, followed by chocolate and coffee, then dried fruit and a faint, warm note of alcohol. The roast stays soft, and the finish is long with a gentle bitterness. This isn't a thirst-quencher—it's a beer for slow sipping, best enjoyed in small mouthfuls so the flavors have time to unfold. The same goes even more for Jopenbier, which is so thick and sweet that a small glass is plenty.

Browar Amber in Bielkówko near Danzig has been brewing its Grand Imperial Porter since 2008, which, according to the brewery, has won awards both in Poland and abroad. It's considered a classic example of the style from the Baltic coast. A second example is the Jopenbier from PG4 in Danzig, a modern revival of the old trade beer that feels closer to syrup than to a classic beer.

Which glass works best? A tulip glass or a small snifter, the kind used for robust beers, captures the aromas well. A pint glass is too large for a beer with this much alcohol. Pour at an angle and you'll get a creamy, light brown head, which should then be left to settle undisturbed.

The ideal serving temperature is around 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F), noticeably warmer than a Pils. Served ice-cold, the beer tastes flat and overly bitter; at cellar temperature, the chocolate and fruit notes open up. Pouring into a smaller glass lets the beer breathe, especially since at 8% ABV a full half-liter can quickly become too much.