Sometimes a phrase, like our slogan—Beer is Labor—can feel like just words on a page. Everyday at East Brother, we think about the words we choose to describe our business, ourselves. We choose to make classic beers meticulously and with precision, and our Baltic Porter is the perfect expression of Beer is Labor.
Porters were the preferred drink of street and river porters working in the streets of Britain in the 18th century, hence the name of this style. It’s a riff on Brown Ale that’s heavily hopped, aged for six months, and deep brown in color with a high ABV. As this style of beer became more and more popular, Porters were exported across the globe. Soon, Porters became one of the first beer styles to extend beyond its regionality and consumed worldwide.
However, that’d quickly change. It was common for local brewers in countries across Eastern Europe to adapt Porter recipes based on the ingredients they had on hand and local preferences. But this took off in 1806, when Napoleon, then King of the French, implemented a Continental Blockade that cut off imports from Britain into the Baltic countries. That meant that folks who wanted to drink Porters had to make the beer themselves.
Local production of Porters took off in the Baltic region—we’re talking about countries that border the Baltic sea like Poland and Finland. Eventually, the beer developed into its own distinct style, which is what we honor in our Baltic Porter. These beers thrive in colder climates, and substitute common British ingredients and techniques, like lager yeast and continental hops. Traditionally, this beer is cold-fermented and cold-lagered, which helps preserve its clean and complex flavors.
Baltic Porters fell out of fashion during the 1900’s, particularly during the Cold War, but this classic style resurged in popularity over the last twenty years. Their production is truly a demonstration of labor and adaptability, and offers a warming accompaniment for hearty foods like grilled meats, heavy stews, and indulgent desserts. Basically, this is the perfect beer to stick to your bones after a hard day’s work.
There’s a reason this beer was beloved by porters in the 18th century—folks who worked hard for their supper and thirsted for something deeply satisfying after a long day’s work. That feeling, that need for something comforting and warming, feels especially necessary now. In the last few months, so many of us have upended our lives, found new systems to make our homes and families function in an unprecedented moment in history. It’s never been a better time to release a beer that celebrates hard work, that feels like a bridge between a job well done and a moment to rest.
We release a Baltic Porter every year around this time. This year’s Porter, which will be available in cans on November 17th, clocks in at 8.6% ABV made with Halycon Malt as the base, and Crystal, Chocolate, and Black malts that add flavor and complexity. It’s made with a German Lager yeast and boasts flavors of dark fruits, like plums and cherries, chocolate, and molasses. It’s both refreshing and comforting—each sip of our Baltic Porter is satiating yet inviting. You’ll keep coming back for this treat.