Strike Brewing Company - Porter

Strike’s Porter pours a rich, deep brown with plenty of fluffy foam. On the nose, expect the classic porter aromas of chocolate and roasty malts, along with a touch of vanilla and an overlaying sweet, floral, Goldings hop note that imparts a bit of English character. Those well-roasted malts take center stage on the palate, delivering plenty of dark roast coffee character. There’s a prominent woodiness, too, and the combination of dark malt and hop bitterness keeps this beer quite dry from start to finish. Be sure to allow this brew to come up to the recommended temperature, which will allow the beer’s flavor to balance properly without the biting chill of the refrigerator. Barbequed ribs make a good pairing, with the beer complementing the meat while contrasting the sweetness of most BBQ sauces. Cheers!

San Jose, and California’s Bay Area in general, isn’t yet known as a brewing haven. Through the efforts of breweries such as Strike Brewing Company, that perception seems destined to change. The idea behind Strike took root back in 2008 when founders Jennifer Lewis and Drew Ehrlich began contemplating the creation of a brewery that would have an emphasis on so-called “session beers” – beer styles which are tasty but not high in alcohol. Their idea was remarkably prescient; though session beers are experiencing a major resurgence now, in 2008 brewers were crafting more and more extreme beers with stratospheric ABVs.

By 2011 the duo’s dream had become reality, as their Blonde, Brown, Porter, and Wit were released to the public under the “Session Series” line. But Strike was not a one-trick pony; they soon followed their Session Series beers with the introduction of bigger beers such as an imperial red ale and an IPA. Initially Jennifer and Drew chose to contract with San Jose’s Hermitage Brewery for the brewing of their recipes, but after raising over $1 million from a variety of investors, Strike built their own brewing facility and taproom in 2014. Though sporting only a 15-barrel system and a likely yearly capacity around 2300 barrels, the facility is large enough to support considerable expansion as the company grows. Their goal is to become the brewery for San Jose, and earlier this year they took a step forward by opening a Strike concession stand within the Oakland Coliseum to satisfy thirsty A’s fans. Strike currently offers a multitude of lower alcohol styles, along with bigger beers including an imperial stout and a double IPA. For more info about the brewery, tours, and their taproom, call 877-855-8620 or visit them at www.strikebrewingco.com.