Head to Head: Fullers London Porter vs. Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two Porters. Both are from England. The First is Fullers London Porter. The second is the Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Appearance: Winner – Taddy

Fullers – This pours a very dark brown with a nice reddish color as you look through the light. The head is a bubbly tan and leaves good lace on the glass.

Taddy – This also has a hint of red as you look through the glass but is much darker almost black. The head is a creamy with a tan color and leaves some good lace on the glass.

Aroma: Winner – Fullers

Fullers – Immediately you can sense the richness of this beer. The aroma is full of raosted barley along with some sweet molasses and caramel.

Taddy – There is some sweetness with a vague licorice smell but over all it is a yeasty sourness that dominates.

Taste: Winner – Fullers

Fullers – Again you can taste the roasted grain as you drink this great beer. The initial sweetness is balanced by a degree of bitterness that simply adds to the flavor without dominating.

Taddy – Has a predominately sweet taste with a slight tang. I would have to say the bottle is probably not in its prime.

Body/Finish: Winner – Fullers

Fullers – The body is medium to full and the finish has a smooth oily texture. The balance in the aroma and taste is echoed here with a sweet start to the finish but ending in a hint of bitterness.

Taddy – Medium body with a short tart finish.

Overall: Winner – Fullers
Well this was more like it. Yes the Samuel Smiths was not at its best but the Fullers sure was on top form. Everything I hope for in a porter was there. The roasted aromas, sweetness from the malt and a touch of bitterness all come together to create a great beer. I often think that Porters get overlooked. To dark for the casual drinker and lacking the full body in your face taste of many stouts. This I think is a shame. The Fullers London Porter is a great beer that should be enjoyed by all beer drinkers.

~ by alelagerlambic on June 17, 2008.