Fulton Brewing made its name in Minneapolis on easy-drinking, unpretentious beers, and Proper Porter follows that playbook. It is a porter that leans on chocolate and toffee rather than aggressive roast, which makes it approachable but also caps how exciting it can be.

The basics

• Brewery: Fulton Brewing Company (Minneapolis, MN)
• Style: American Porter
• ABV: 6.4%
• IBU: 30

What to expect

Proper Porter pours near-black with ruby highlights at the edges under a tan head. The aroma and flavor are malt-forward: toffee and milk chocolate do most of the talking, with coffee and caramel notes riding underneath. The roast character is moderate and well-integrated rather than dominant, so it finishes smooth instead of acrid.

The mouthfeel is medium and drinkable, landing on the lighter side of the porter spectrum. This is a porter you could have two of without fatigue, which is a genuine strength, even if it means it never quite delivers the depth that the best porters do. It is simple but full-flavored, with the chocolate backbone carrying the whole beer.

Our rating

6.45/10

Rated by Alex (6) and Nick (6.9). Alex and Nick land in the same neighborhood here, with Nick running a bit warmer at 6.9. The verdict from both is consistent: a solid, well-made porter that does nothing wrong and little that is memorable. If you like your dark beers on the smooth and chocolatey side rather than the roasty and bitter side, this is an easy glass to enjoy.