Brewery: Fuller’s
Location: London, England
ABV: 5.4%
Version: Draught
Source: The Doric Arch, London

This Tuesday I didn’t really have time for a Bree Louise detour on the way back to Euston station, so I decided to try the Doric Arch (Head of Steam) instead. I hadn’t realised that the place was actually there until that morning, when I left Euston on foot for a change and happened to wander past. A sign in the window boasted that Fuller’s London Porter was available on keg and as this is a beer I’ve been wanting to sample for quite some time now I happily called in on the way back in the evening.

I was very glad I did. London Porter poured a lovely dark ebony brown with ruby highlights and a decent head. The first taste was full of liquorice and dried berry fruits, with a freshly ground coffee and fruit cake following on. There was a hint of smoke in there as well and a dollop of treacle for good measure. It was rich, sweet, smooth and went down extremely nicely indeed. If I’d left more time before the train I’d have sunk another one, definitely (although they had Kelham Island Pale Rider on offer as well, so I was sorely tempted to try that one instead). I have a sneaky suspicion that I’ll be back before too long, though.

My new mission is to get hold of some Fuller’s London Porter in bottles. Partly for comparison purposes, partly because I quite fancy trying the London Porter stew recipe on their website. Hey, Sainsbury’s Head Beer Buyer! How about it?