Popular New Zealand stouts and porters

What are dark beers?

Dark beers are typically dark brown or black in colour due to the use of toasted or dark roasted malts that create their distinct appearance. They can range from light, silky and sweet to heavy, creamy and bitter. They are frequently enhanced by the addition of bold flavours including chocolate, coffee, caramel, liquorice and dark berries.

Popular types of dark ales, stouts and porters

Porters

Porters date back to the 1700s when they were the most affordable form of malt beer in Britain, popular with low-paid dock workers.

Today, New Zealand’s best porters are perfectly balanced, medium-bodied dark beers with a mellow toasted malt undertone. Delicious chocolate and caramel notes are characteristic of these slightly sweet, smooth, dry beers that are perfect for savouring by an open fire.

Panhead Bounty Hunter Chocolate & Coconut Porter

Type of beer: Porter

Brewery: Panhead

Flavours: Chocolate, coconut and vanilla treat.

For more on this beer visit: https://panheadcustomales.com/

Buy this beer: Visit online shopping

Stouts

The earliest stouts, like Guinness, were originally referred to as stout porters and made from extremely dark-roasted, unmalted barley for a bolder, more bitter flavour.

Today, New Zealand’s stouts are typically medium to full-bodied with distinctive dark roasted espresso and chocolate flavours that appeal to those who enjoy bold flavours. Stouts tend to be more bitter and have a higher alcoholic strength than porters and a richly satisfying, creamy mouthfeel.

Stout variants that you may also find include:

• Milk stout - Lactose sugars are added to achieve a creamier, sweeter stout with a lower alcohol content
• Oatmeal stout - Oatmeal is added to increase creaminess and create a richer, fuller body.
• Imperial stout - A stronger version of stout with an ABV between 7-12%, increasingly popular amongst New Zealand craft brewers eager to achieve more flavour by ageing in oak barrels and extreme alcohol strengths.

Dark Ales

Dark ales and beers are made in a similar way to stout and porter but have a lower ABV of around 4%. Clean, roasted malt and hoppy flavours are delivered in a rich creamy dark beer with chocolate fudge and coffee overtones.

What do dark beers taste like?

Dark Chocolate	Espresso Coffee	Caramel/Liquorice	Toasted/Roasted Malt

Popular dark beers to try

If you like coffee, try a dry stout like Coopers Best Extra Stout

If you like chocolate, you’ll love Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. Norty Porter Chocolate Porter

If you want smooth and creamy, choose a milk stout like this Cassels Double Cream Milk Stout

If you want bold and intense flavour, try this boozy Imperial stout Behemoth Big Fish Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Milk Stout

For a nutty, malty sweetness try this mild roasted dark ale Stoke Dark Indulgent Dark Ale

Shop all Stout, Porter & Dark Beers

Storing and serving dark beers, porters and stouts

Before serving: Store upright in a cool, dark place for up to two years. Refrigerate your beer between 4-5 degrees Celsius before drinking.	Once opened: Dark beers taste best on the day of opening if resealed and refrigerated. If your beer is flat, tastes like cardboard and smells off then it is unsuitable to drink.	Serving: Remove from the fridge and allow to warm to 10 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes before pouring. This allows the robust flavours to open up.

The best glass to serve stout and porters?

A stout glass or tapered pint beer glass are recommended for dark beers. These are designed to accentuate the roasted malt, rich coffee and chocolate notes that define stout beer styles.

Imperial stout that is more intense is best served in a wide-bowled tulip glass with a narrow top to support the creamy head.

Stouts and porters should be poured slowly, angling the glass at 45 degrees and positioning the bottle close to the middle of the glass. Allow the glass to sit for a couple of minutes to allow the bubbles to settle and the creamy head to form above the dark liquid before drinking.

When is it best to drink dark beers?

Everyday drinking

Stouts and porters are versatile beers providing year-round drinking enjoyment.  The creamier, lighter stouts are perfect for everyday session drinking.

At home and after-dinner drinking

The more robust, full-bodied stouts are best enjoyed in the cooler months when they provide a rich, comforting and intense drinking experience. Stouts and porters are perfect fireside drinks to make you feel warm, cozy and satisfied. Their chocolate and coffee flavours pair well with creamy, chocolate desserts as a perfect drink or digestif to sip after dinner. 

Indulgent treat

For a special treat, choose one of the stronger Imperial stouts or Baltic porters and sip from a tulip glass to appreciate the depth of flavour and high alcohol content.

Pairing dark beers with food

Dark beers, stouts and porters tend to pair with very similar types of food. Look for dishes that are compatible with roasted flavours and chocolate, coffee or caramel notes and you can’t go wrong.

Serve stouts with:

• Chargrilled steak or burgers

• Slow-cooked barbecued brisket 

• Creamy mashed potato 

• Rich dark chocolate desserts like tiramisu and ice cream

Serve porters and dark ales with:

• Roast pork with crispy crackling 

• Beef rib eye with horseradish

• Chargrilled root vegetables

• Hard cheeses and dark stonefruits

Discover more beer and food pairing ideas.

Variety and diversity that demands further exploration

Instead of writing off stouts and porters as a fairly homogenous family of beers, you’ll discover that they can range from delicate to extremely powerful, sweet and silky, to dry, coarse and bitter. The addition of chocolate and coffee flavours adds greater variety and diversity that demands further exploration. Take your time to indulge and savour each one, but beware of the caffeine content - you don’t want to be awake all night.

If you’re thirsty to learn more about different types of New Zealand beers we have More beer shopping guides to check out below or read our guide to craft beer.