How To Brew Pre-Prohibition Porter: Vintage Vibes & Classic Crafts

Pre-Prohibition Porter, like so many, was a beer style brought over by English colonists during the early days of the United States.

Sometimes called a “Pennsylvania Porter,” “Philadelphia Porter”, or “East Coast Porter.”

Pre-Prohibition Porter is a beer that has both English and German brewing legacies.  

Robert Hare

Robert Hare of Philadelphia was credited with commercially brewing this beer in 1776. As an anti-imperialist, Hare was forced to flee Philadelphia and head to Virginia during the British occupation of Philadelphia between 1777-1778.

George Washington was the biggest fan of Hare’s porter. Hare’s beer was in high demand due to Washington’s “Buy American” policy in 1789. 

German Brewers

American porters were popular at this time in the United States. German brewers brought their lager yeasts with them to America.

This was the birth of the Pre-Prohibition Porter, a porter brewed with a lager yeast. The result was a clean porter that did not have the fruity ale yeast remnants.

Brewed Porters

Brewed porters were basically made the way most beer was made at this time. Dark malts were added to the grist that imparted the dark color and roasty character. 

Rack and Brew Porters 

Rack and Brew porters were pale beers, usually pale ales, cream ales, or lagers, then a darkening agent added to the beer. The darkening agent was called porterine.

Porterine was usually made with corn syrup and boiled down until it was black in color. Usually these beers lacked the roasty character that we expect from porters and stouts. 

Style Profile for Pre-Prohibition Porter

Appearance

Pre-Prohibition Porter is dark brown to nearly black in color with ruby or mahogany highlights. Beer is relatively clear. Light to medium tan head is persistent.  

Aroma

The aroma is grainy with low levels of dark malt. Low hop aroma. Low to moderate low levels of DMS is acceptable.

Many versions of the style have low levels of caramel and biscuit aroma. Low to none at all fruity esters. Clean lager profile. 

Flavor

Grainy base malt flavor with low levels of chocolate or burnt black malt notes. Also, low levels of caramel, biscuit, licorice, and toast notes. Corn/DMS flavor acceptable at low levels.

American hop bitterness is low to moderate and American hop flavor is low to none. Balance is between the malt and hops. Beer has a moderately dry finish. 

Mouthfeel

Medium light to medium body. Moderate carbonation, low to moderate creaminess. A slight astringency from the dark malts. 

Tips for Brewing your own Pre-Prohibition Porter

Grain

The grist for this style starts with Six-row. 6-row is usually kilned to a darker color, 6-8 SRM. It has a good bready flavor and a deep nutty character that works well with dark beers.

This is followed up with a half pound of 45L British Crystal and a quarter pound of Carafa II. The rest of the grist can be Chocolate Rye, Pale Chocolate, or Chocolate malt. 

Hops

The total IBU level for a Pre-Prohibition Porter should be between 20-30 IBUs. You have the choice of adding them all at once as a bittering addition at 60 minutes or add some at 60 minutes and the rest with 25 minutes to boil.

Northern Brewer is a good choice due to its woody character.  

Yeast

There is a wide selection of yeast to choose from for this style. They include the following: 

• White Labs: East Coast Ale (WLP008), American Lager Yeast (WLP840), German Lager Yeast (WLP830.
• Wyeast: American Lager (2035), Bavarian Lager (2206)
• Dry Yeast: SafAle S33, or S05. 

Pre-Prohibition Porter By the Numbers

• Color Range: 18 – 20 SRM
• Original Gravity: 1.046 – 1.060 OG
• Final Gravity: 1.010 – 1.016 FG
• IBU Range: 20 – 30
• ABV Range: 4.5 – 6.0% 

Pre-Prohibition Porter Recipe

Grain

• 68%              8lbs 8oz       Six-Row Pale Malt
• 17%              2lb                Flaked Corn
•   9%              1lb                Flaked Rye 
•   4%              8oz               Caramel 60
•   2%              4oz               Carafa II

Hops

• 1 oz         Galena – Boil – 60 min
• 1 oz         Galena – Boil –  5 min

Yeast

• 1.0 pkg   California Lager  Wyeast #2112

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a pre-prohibition porter distinct from other porters?

The pre-prohibition porter stands out due to its specific formulation that adheres to the brewing styles prevalent before the prohibition era.

This type of porter is known for a more robust flavor profile compared to modern-day porters. The liberty prohibition porter, hare’s porter, and porterine are some variations that were popular during this period.

The pre prohibition lager and pre prohibition pilsner are other beer types from the same era, each with their unique taste and brewing methods.

How does the George Washington porter recipe relate to the pre-prohibition porter recipe shared?

The George Washington porter recipe is a testament to the traditional brewing methods of the pre-prohibition era.

Similar to the pre-prohibition porter recipe shared, the George Washington porter recipe also emphasizes using authentic porter ingredients and traditional brewing techniques to achieve a taste reminiscent of the pre prohibition era.

Both recipes provide a nostalgic experience for those looking to explore the historical flavors of porter beer.

What are the key ingredients required for brewing a pre-prohibition porter?

The essential ingredients for brewing a pre-prohibition porter include malt, hops, and yeast for porter. The porter beer ingredients play a crucial role in achieving the distinct taste and texture associated with pre-prohibition porters.

Moreover, following a precise porter recipe is crucial to replicate the authentic pre prohibition beer taste accurately.

How does a German porter compare to a pre-prohibition porter?

A German porter is known for its mild flavor and lighter color compared to a pre-prohibition porter. The pre-prohibition porter, on the other hand, is known for its robust flavor and darker hue.

While both are variations of porter beer, their taste, appearance, and brewing methods may vary, reflecting the brewing traditions of their respective regions and periods.

Can I use a porter extract recipe for brewing a pre-prohibition porter?

Yes, you can use a porter extract recipe for brewing a pre-prohibition porter. However, it’s essential to ensure that the extract recipe aligns with the traditional ingredients and brewing methods of pre-prohibition porters to achieve the desired taste and authenticity.

Incorporating elements from the pre prohibition lager recipe and adhering to the historical brewing techniques will help in creating a more genuine pre-prohibition porter experience.