The last, but certainly not least, stop on our Father’s Day Pub Crawl, 2016 edition, was The Porter Beer Bar. Originally this was intended to be our first stop, but we took a few side streets off of Euclid Avenue (walking mind you) and ended up smack dab before The Wrecking Bar brewpub. So, we stopped there first. After a few beers to restore our constitutions, we walked over to The Vortex, each enjoyed a massive burger and then hit The Porter.
The first beer that I enjoyed here was a seemingly rare little gem called Lucifer Black from Brouwerij Het Anker in Flanders, Belgium. This is a variation on the brewery’s classic Lucifer Ale, with the addition I believe of some dark malts for added flavor. Curiously, there is no mention of Lucifer Black on US distributor web page nor on the Het Anker website, but they do say this about the original beer, translated from the Dutch:
This beer was in early 1980 by the then brewery Riva marketed as a supplement in the popular segment of the strong blond ales. In 2009 obtained the rights to the anchor Brewery to brew this beer and commercialize.
Lucifer is a strong Lager (8%) with a bright golden yellow in colour, creamy head. Let yourself be seduced by its fruity aroma with subtle hop notes and soft bitterness, followed by a balanced, long finish.
I do know that Lucifer Black has an alcohol content of 8% by volume according to The Porter. I can’t recall the exact price as my son bought me this beer for Father’s Day, but it was on the high side, about $5 for an 8-ounce glass.
My glass of Lucifer Black arrived a dark brownish color with a thick creamy head formation and a light roast and spice nose. Taking a sip, the beer is very smooth and seductive up front with light hints of roast and chocolate. Light spice emerges, perhaps anise and maybe coriander but the roast occludes the spice to a degree. The beer finishes slightly tart and dry with roast.
This is a well done beer indeed and one I am glad I got to try, even if I don’t know a lot about it. I would certainly try this “secret beer” again, if I could ever find it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft