James Porter certainly rates as one of Burton’s lesser known brewers, which is why it is interesting that one of his recipes has been re-imagined by Heritage Brewing Co. who are based at the National Brewery Centre. This is perfectly in keeping with the brewery’s mission to recreate old beers for a modern audience; other ales from Heritage are Charrington IPA, Offilers Best Bitter and of course Masterpiece which is based on Worthington White Shield.
Porter bought his Dale Street brewery from the Bryan Brothers around 1879, as he was a partner in Liverpool brewer Sykes and living in Everton, he left the running of the business James Porter & Sons, to his two oldest sons John and Frederick.
The newly re-imagined beer X Porter, along with the likes of XX Porter Strong Ale, No. 1, No. 2 … is at least 130 years old as records exist of it being produced in 1889 and it was likely sold in Porter’s only Burton pub The Millwright Arms on New Street.
The Dale Street brewery closed following the purchase of Robinson’s Brewery, where James’ younger son Gerald would later become a Director. James Porter’s Grandson, also called James, joined Newcastle Breweries and would be instrumental in the production of Newcastle Brown Ale in 1927.
“The James H. Porter recipe has been adapted to the Heritage Brewing Companies capabilities as directed by Steve Wellington (Head Brewer retired) so it is not an exact like for like reproduction,” says Caroline Horobin. “The recipe requires Fuggles hops which we have sourced from Kent Life, another visitor attraction that Planning Solutions (owner of Heritage Brewery Company) operate. They are based in Kent and have a small acreage of hops which are hand-picked by volunteers and then dried by them in the last gas fired Oast House in Kent.”
X Porter is certainly a beer steeped in history and is described as having complex malt aromas with a hint of liquorice and smokiness; it is smooth and easy to drink with a rich brown colour. You can sample this at the Brewery Tap at the National Brewery Centre who always have Heritage beers on sale.
www.heritagebrewingcompany.co.uk