My new favorite porter has fruit in it and it is from, none-other-than, Southern Tier. For the first time ever while browsing my candy store did I come across a fruit beer and purchase it with high hopes of liking it; and it didn’t disappoint.

I’ve been searching for excellent porters according to my own criteria for a long time, and few fit the bill. I’ve also stayed away from fruit beers, again, because of my own personal tastes. The Southern Tier Raspberry Porter does several things right making this my new favorite porter.

First off, quality. They are consistent, clean, and anywhere from good to excellent across the board. Secondly, they stepped away from the trend to add smoke or harsh roasts to the brew, something that is acceptable for the style, but not a requirement. Lastly, they only give it enough raspberry to make you think it, dream it, catch a fleeting whiff of it… but not chew it.

The hops shine through in this porter, something I think most porters miss; though, they could shine brighter. This would be my only negative about this beer, that it could be bigger with hops and malts; but it is a small complaint. I appreciate that they didn’t just make it bigger by adding more burnt roast flavors to make it harshly bitter and hiding the bittering hops, and well, the beer. This beer is very drinkable the way they made it.

Alan over at a Good Beer Blog agrees, but we don’t know what’s up with those Beer Advocates. (Alan suspects they fear small berries… I can go with that.)

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