Stout, Porter and Bitter

Both stout and porter styles are dark; both have flavours and aromas of coffee, chocolate and toast; both seem to fall within the 5-7% alcohol range. Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavours in balance with dark malt bitterness; stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier and more coffee-forward, and may even have a touch of acidity.

The Bitter style came from brewers who wanted to differentiate these ales from other mild brews. Usually gold to copper in colour, most examples are light bodied and low in carbonation. The hop bitterness meanwhile, is moderate to assertive. Most English Bitters have a fruitiness in the aroma and flavour.