Tradition must be honored. On Saturday, January 18, 2025, we celebrate Baltic Porter Day . To mark this occasion—as every year—we’re selecting the best Baltic porter at Beer, Bacon & Liberty. You can see the historical entries here: 2023 , 2024 . This time, the judging panel was the largest and most diverse. Judges from the BJCP and PSPD, brewery owners, brewers, bloggers, and consumers sat at the table in the Poznań Beer House. This selection allowed us to evaluate the beers from multiple perspectives—both professional and consumer.
Assessment methodology
We evaluated the beers in the Baltic porter style, but since not everyone in this distinguished group holds a judging certificate, we often relied on our own personal tastes rather than strictly following the judging organizations’ labels and descriptions. Each juror was tasked with evaluating 24 classic Baltic porters , without any additives, additives, or barrel-aging.
Even before the tasting, we disqualified several bottles due to excessively high extract or the presence of unorthodox ingredients. In fact, I disqualified one beer… while writing this article. It turned out that the Birbant Brewery had released a porter with an extract of 24.5 Plato, which we missed at the table. The lack of the word “imperial” on the label played a role. It’s good that I realized it after the fact.
We made the only exception for a beer that fell well outside the alcohol range – a non-alcoholic Baltic porter from the Amber brewery. In fact, it arrived at the table during the competition, conjured up by one of the two Kacpers who spent three solid hours helping us with the test by coding and pouring the beer. Thank you very much, gentlemen!
The categories in which we evaluated the beers for Baltic Porter Day 2025 were aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and overall impression. We used a modified BJCP scale, excluding appearance and a few minor changes. The test was blind, and individual samples contained approximately 50 ml of beer served at room temperature, albeit quite cold. After coding the scores, there was a brief discussion about the beer, followed by rinsing the glass and rinsing the taste buds with water. Each porter could receive a maximum of 175 points (25 x 7).
Two days before the results were published, I asked on Instagram if you’d like me to publish the full list of results, including the porters that won’t be considered successful on Baltic Porter Day 2025. The bloodthirsty craft brothers’ advantage was overwhelming. Not a single person voted for the “spare the cruel” option!
With thanks to our host, Piotr Olszewski from Dom Piwa , as well as all the judges and assistants, I load the cannon and light the fuse. Here they are – the desired results. Pour your favorite porter into a glass, sit comfortably, and take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the standings. Baltic Porter Day 2025 is officially here!
The Great Baltic Porter Test 2025 – results
I’ve decided to divide the beers into categories based on the BJCP spreadsheet, recalculating the rating scale accordingly. I’ll present the porters , starting with the worst and ending with the one that most captured the hearts of the esteemed judging panel.
A note about ratings
Before blood is shed and gold rains down, we need to clarify one thing. Just because a beer has been ranked this way or that doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad or that the brewery is playing tricks on you. The quality of a beer, especially one as complex as Baltic porter , is influenced by numerous factors, including storage method, aging time, the disposition of a particular batch, bottle, or can, and the judge.
The results are not intended to denigrate any brewery or beer, and all notes describing sensory characteristics are a collection of subjective opinions recorded by the judges, which they reserve the right to use. Next to the beer names, I’ve also included expiration dates, which can help determine both the age of the beer and the specific batch—a crucial factor, especially for smaller breweries.
Problematic beers (28-50 points)
The authors of the classification used here define problematic beers as those dominated by undesirable aromas and flavors , making them difficult to drink . In our opinion, there were four such beers. Since the scale didn’t have a zero, the lowest score a beer could receive was 28 (4 sensory aspects x 7 judges).
24. Browar Amber – Po Godzinach Bezalkoholowy Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 18.1°. Alcohol: less than 0.5%. Date: 3/10/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
33 points . The lowest-scoring beer in the Grand Test was the only non-alcoholic porter. We allowed it in conditionally, although perhaps it should have been drunk outside the competition. Nevertheless, it had little in common with Baltic porter – even completely ignoring the alcohol content. Immediately after pouring, it was obvious that it would taste more like a heavily roasted stout , as its head was a dark brown color that would make many a RIS proud.
Tobacco, or rather, an ashtray full of cigarettes, appears in the foreground of the aroma. Then comes a noticeable dried plum. If I could get a RIS with that same aroma, I’d be thrilled. However, this isn’t a porter at all. The taste reveals wort, which was probably meant to be covered by that overload of roasted malts. These malts also give the beer a distinctly sour note, making it feel rough and lacking in body – though also sweet.
Overall – a very big disappointment at the beginning of Baltic Porter Day 2025.
23. Browar Maryensztadt – Klasycznie Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 8.7%. Date: 17/10/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – 18/19.
35 points . Unfortunately, my heart breaks again because I like the people at Browar Maryensztadt , and in another test their Baltic porter performs very poorly. Two years ago, it placed eighteenth out of nineteen, and this year, it placed last among alcoholic beers, ahead only of the non-alcoholic porter from Amber .
The overwhelming majority of judges detected notes that might indicate infection, such as sulfur reminiscent of sauerkraut and sewage, Belgian-style phenols, and an aroma reminiscent of sourness. Unfortunately, the taste struck a similar chord. Acid, powerful esters, and phenols dominated. The beer was also harsh and unpleasant to the palate.
I don’t know what happened here, but I’m sure it’s nothing good.
22. Browar Zamkowy Racibórz – Raciborskie Porter
Extract: ?°. Alcohol: 9.2%. Date: 5/11/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – 11/14; 2023 – none.
42 points . This beer won two medals last year in prestigious competitions in Poland and abroad. However, there’s no way that was the batch we drank. Perhaps Browar Zamkowy did indeed brew one brilliant batch of its porter and proudly shipped it around the world, winning awards. However, the performance of this particular bottle was comparable to last year’s result in my test, when Raciborskie Porter outperformed only three other beers. Interestingly, all of them participated in this year’s edition, so we’re seeing a sharp decline here.
This beer was dominated by diacetyl, meaning notes like butter, popcorn, or toffee. This diacetyl was joined by a whole bunch of banana and peach esters, and the flavor was quite acidic. One of the judges also suspected an infection.
I can’t write anything good about this beer.
21. Browar Bojanowo – Bojanowo Porter
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9%. Date: 29/02/2025 (sic!). Previous items: 2024 – none; 2023 – 16/19.
50 points . A beer with an expiration date that… doesn’t exist! February has 28 days this year. Bojanowo Porter was brought in by one of the judges and accepted into the competition, as it was still January. It’s the last entry in this category, bordering on the point limit. This is consistent with the judges’ notes, who rated these four beers as the weakest contenders for the title of best Baltic porter in Poland.
As with the porter from Racibórz , the entire composition was dominated by a single aroma: butter. The diacetyl in the porter from Bojanów was very high, and one of the judges also detected phenols. In addition to the butter, the taste offered a plethora of diacetyl notes, reminiscent of fudge and toffee. Paradoxically, this flaw enhanced the mouthfeel, and the beer seemed quite full-bodied and smooth.
We did not detect any signs of infection here, only a clear dominance of a rather common defect that allowed us to classify this bottle as a cruel one.
Average beers (51-75 points)
This category includes beers that are not very pleasant, unstylish, or have distinct sensory shortcomings. However, these aren’t the worst choices. You’ve already seen these.
20. Browar Amber – Grand Baltic Porter
Extract: 18.1°. Alcohol: 8%. Date: 16/09/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – 3/14 ; 2023 – 7/19.
58 points . Boom! You could probably hear that sound all the way from Naramowice when that bomb went off. A legendary beer, a brewery famous for this porter, probably the first porter I’ve ever consciously drank (or second after Żywiec ), and I drink it every year – and what a bummer! The producer states a one-year shelf life, so we drank a bottle that had been stored for five months – not even half its planned peak.
Unfortunately, this bottle of Grand likely fell victim to improper storage—either in a warehouse or in a store—perhaps due to exposure to severe temperature fluctuations. The beer was tragically oxidized. There was a decent base underneath, albeit low in extract (but Grand is like that—it’s an 18th ). However, everything was overshadowed by notes of sherry, dried fruit, plums, and a caramel note that, for two of the judges, also reminded us of butter.
The Grand Baltic Porter we drank was also empty in taste, sugary sweet and quite bland, and very heavily oxidized, which made it unbalanced and unstylish.
This bronze medalist from last year’s Grand Test opens the category of mediocre beers. It’s the number one sensation so far. I assure you, it won’t be the last.
19. Browar Kormoran – Porter Warmiński
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 9%. Date: 15/10/2027. Previous positions: 2024 – 4/14; 2023 – 2/19 .
61 points . Wow, we’ve had a whirlwind of sensations! Second and fourth place in previous tests, another legendary beer, and this time a mere twentieth place. A disastrous run for what was historically one of the best Baltic porters in Poland. For me, Amber and Kormoran have always been symbols of what mid-sized regional breweries can do best. Then Fortuna joined the fray with their Komes . Unfortunately, the 2025 Great Baltic Porter Test completely destroyed that narrative. At least for this batch, and certainly for this bottle.
Judging by the date, the beer is a month younger than the Grand . One of the judges detected oxidation, while the others noted a wide range of flaws. First and foremost, the Warmiński Porter offered nothing good in the aroma. Instead, it exuded sewer-type sulfur notes and phenols, and one of the judges detected autolysis, an aroma characteristic of dying yeast—something like Marmite .
Beneath this kaleidoscope of imperfections, the Warmiński Porter displayed quite a good maltiness, a strong cocoa bitterness (likely enhanced by sulfur), and notes of melanoidin. The mouthfeel was controversial. One judge deemed it pleasant and smooth, another mentioned over-carbonation, and a third… under-carbonation! That’s why it was important that we had seven people on the jury. This allowed us to reduce the weight of extreme and conflicting opinions. There was also an opinion about an alcoholic aftertaste.
This beer is controversial and suffers from its inherent flaws. It’s actually quite good underneath, but unfortunately, we’re judging the whole thing. Baltic Porter Day takes no prisoners.
18. Browar Gościszewo – Tragarz
Extract: 20°. Alcohol: 8%. Date: 9/06/2025. Previous items: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
62 points . This porter from Gościszewo makes its debut in the Grand Test. Unfortunately, the “Tragarz” isn’t listed on the brewery’s website, which, along with the date, suggests the beer isn’t currently being brewed regularly, and this bottle is at least seven months old. Only one of the judges, though the one with the highest rating, mentioned oxidation. Beyond that, however, as with previous entries, there was a whole range of unpleasant odors and aftertastes.
The aroma was dominated by acetaldehyde, reminiscent of green apple and oil paint. In addition, the orchestra of vodkas served us an accompaniment in the glass in the form of fusel alcohols (higher alcohols) and solvent. For dessert, a hint of sulfur and esters appeared, reminiscent of Russian Champagne. And what about the taste?
The taste was sweet with a hint of sour, sugary, moonshine-like, and even more of a solvent and Russian champagne. The mouthfeel was quite thick, which is a plus, but it was also rough and very alcoholic. A hint of bitterness loomed in the background.
A poor beer full of unpleasant flaws. A weak debut for Tragarz z Gościszewo .
17. Browar Fortuna – Komes Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 9%. Date: 9/01/2027. Previous positions: 2024 – 6/14; 2023 – 3/19.
71 points . A veritable hecatomb of mid-sized breweries. Amber , Kormoran , and now Fortuna all landed in the second-to-last category. Komes Porter Bałtycki was a bronze medalist from two years ago and one of my favorite porters ever. It used to have a strong coffee, almost stout-like finish. This bottle lacked that.
I’ve confirmed with the source that Komes Porter Bałtycki has a three-year date on the label. This means that the beer celebrated its first birthday a few days before the Great Test. It had been sitting dusty on a store or warehouse shelf for quite some time, which could only result in one thing: disastrous oxidation.
I’ll use my favorite descriptor here: Thyme and Coltsfoot cough drops. That was the first thing I noted. The aroma also includes dried fruit, plum, sherry, and buckwheat honey. The flavor is also dominated by the aforementioned notes characteristic of an old, oxidized beer. Interestingly, opinions were sharply divided on the fullness. Some judges found Komes to be empty, while others found it to be full-bodied. One panel member mentioned a hint of alcohol.
Of course, one might ask: should we classify oxidized beers that tasted different when they left the brewery? The answer is: all the beers except Bojanów and the non-alcoholic Amber were purchased a few days before the test. This means that these are batches already on the market, regularly sold, and are—as the saying goes— on date . Unfortunately, the customer has no control over how the beer is stored and transported, and small shops cannot afford to provide all their bottles with optimal conditions.
16. Browar Okocim – Mistrzowski Porter
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.6%. Date: 4/11/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – 10/19.
74 points . I didn’t test the Master Porter from Okocim last year because it’s generally hard to find for a company product. I almost missed it this time, but one of the judges managed to buy a bottle just before the test. There’s something wrong with distribution within the Carlsberg Group . Two years ago, this beer placed in the middle of the pack.
Perhaps the manufacturer doesn’t want to boast too much about this product, as it unfortunately didn’t fare very well. There wasn’t much going on in the aroma, and when it did, it was usually negative: notes of mustiness, sewage, and acetaldehyde, like green walnuts, emerged.
I was the only one who felt the taste was worse than the nose, while two judges found a few words of praise. There were mentions of pumpernickel and maltiness, but also criticisms of excessive sugary sweetness, increased acidity, and a lack of balance.
Good beers (76-101 points)
The BJCP category is quite lenient in its naming. Here, we have beers that either don’t quite live up to the style or have minor flaws that don’t disqualify them in the judges’ eyes. However, these are still porters that might not even earn half (87.5) of the maximum points!
15. Browar Pinta – Porter Bay
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9%. Date: 28/11/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 12/14; 2023 – none.
77 points . Browar Pinta – Poland’s largest craft brewery, creator of the first legendary craft beers – has released another batch of its Porter Bay . Is it the best Polish Baltic porter? Unfortunately, not in this test. Last year, it finished in a very low twelfth place, and in the current edition of the Great Baltic Porter Test, it placed in the middle of the pack.
The aroma featured floral esters, a touch of geranium leaf, banana, and notes reminiscent of air freshener. One judge detected a honey-like oxidation. Otherwise, most judges found the beer rather bland, lacking body and a flat flavor. The palate also featured floral and fruity notes, along with a heightened acidity. The malt profile provided a rather pleasant base, and the finish was laced with a light alcohol bitterness, but in a pleasant way.
14. Browar Nepomucen / Nepo Brewing – Baltic Porter
Extract: ?°. Alcohol: 8.5%. Date: 21/08/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
78 points . Just one spot above Pinta is another major player in the Polish craft beer market. Nepomucen Brewery is growing year by year and is now one of the largest craft beer producers in Poland. After rebranding to the English Nepo Brewing, the team from Szkaradów hasn’t forgotten its Polish roots and released a Baltic porter . What’s more, it was canned – the only one besides Żywiec in this test. I was surprised that nowhere – neither on the label nor on the website – was there any information about the extract. However, I would expect such a basic parameter from a craft brewery.
In the case of the hideous porter (a beautiful name, by the way), we had a classic example of a beer that didn’t fit within the bounds of the style. Craft beer, of course, is about pushing boundaries, but competitions have their own rules, and one of the judging criteria is adherence to the prescribed style. Here, the Nepo team definitely went overboard and tried to turn the porter into a stout. The aroma was strong in hops and roasted notes, but too few of the typical porter malt notes.
As a result, the palate revealed increased acidity from the dark malts, a roasted note, and a significant astringent bitterness and alcoholic warmth bordering on the solvent. One judge also noted oxidation, while another noted over-carbonation.
The beer was judged as harsh and lacking in body, but some enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the Baltic Porter from Nepomucen was nowhere near its stylistic limits, so the judges deducted points for this discrepancy. After all, it’s Baltic Porter Day, not Stout Day!
13. Kultowy Browar Staropolski – Porter 180
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.7%. Date: 21/08/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 9/14; 2023 – 5/19.
81 points . The 2022 Craft Beer of the Year has been featured in our test every year, with varying results. Two years ago, it achieved a very high fifth place, and according to several judges, it deserved even a higher score. In the 2024 Baltic Porter Grand Test, it fared slightly worse, but still placed roughly in the middle of the pack. In the latest rankings, we once again have a pretty good result, though not without controversy!
In statistics, divergence is a deviation from the norm (average). In this year’s Grand Test, Porter 180 had the highest divergence in terms of positive scores. One judge rated this beer the best of the bunch, awarding it the maximum score of 25! He used arguments such as a pleasant, non-dominant oxidation toward sherry, a pleasant aroma, and a well-balanced finish.
Unfortunately, the other judges were less optimistic. The prevailing opinion was that it was too sweet and alcoholic, with notes of solvent. There were also comments about apple-banana esters, a thin body, and a high acidity. When we added everything together, we came up with a porter worthy of thirteenth place.
12. Browar Gryfus – Portowiec
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 7.7%. Date: 9/12/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
81 points . Szczecin’s Gryfus brewery has prepared a Portowiec beer for us. According to the label, it falls slightly (by 0.3% ABV) below the style’s threshold. However, it wasn’t disqualified because Polish law allows for a certain margin of error in the reported alcohol content. This beer received the same score as Porter 180 from Zduńska Wola, but in a head-to-head battle, it won 5-2 among the judges.
Although oats weren’t specifically mentioned on the label, most judges detected typical rustic notes, characteristic of a high proportion of oat flakes in the grist. This may have been a collective hallucination, but it was the prevailing opinion at the table. These notes could also have been derived from sulfur, which two judges suggested. Furthermore, Portowiec had a very pleasant malt base, a chocolatey flavor, and a well-balanced texture. Spicy notes also emerged. The Gryfus beer felt quite full-bodied and full-bodied in the mouth.
Two people detected oxidation, and one considered the beer unstylish. For about half the judging panel, this porter proved to be a pretty good choice for a Saturday evening.
11. Browar Pilsweizer / Pilsvar – Porter Galicyjski
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.5%. Date: 11/09/2025. Previous items: 2024 – 5/14; 2023 – none.
85 points . The brewery from Grybów isn’t one of the craft beers that receives the highest ratings. Therefore, it may come as a surprise to some that for the second year in a row, Galicyjski Porter has placed quite well in the Grand Test of Baltic Porters. Last year, it was fifth, and this time, it’s eleventh. This indicates consistent and relatively consistent performance.
The main criticism of the Pilsvar porter was its excessive alcohol content, including the presence of higher alcohols (fusel oils) in both the aroma and flavor. Two judges also detected acetaldehyde and a slight metallic note. This beer made a very good initial impression, but it diminished over time.
The oxidation worked quite well here, though some critics suggested it was too sweet and honeyed, in a buckwheat style. A subtle bitterness and a rough alcoholic quality emerged on the finish. The palate was quite dry, although one judge noted a stylish density. Another detected barrel-aged characteristics, but this was a rare opinion.
Even though the beer seemed very sweet and alcoholic, I drank it with quite a lot of pleasure.
10. Kompania Piwowarska – Książęce Porter
Extract: 20°. Alcohol: 8%. Date: 23/08/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 13/14; 2023 – 1/19 .
88 points . The top ten is opened by the gold medalist from two years ago. Back then, it was quite a sensation. The company beat all the favorites and created the best Baltic porter in Poland, full of pumpernickel and delicious malt notes. A year later, it suffered a disaster, finishing second to last with notes of syrupy notes, fruity esters, and oxidation. Looking back at my notes from 2023, I noticed I had recorded the extract as 22 Plato. A mistake likely crept in, as I see 20° everywhere. So, it probably wasn’t reduced in volume, as I initially suspected.
The test was blind, however, and we didn’t know what we were drinking or what its parameters were, so it’s irrelevant beyond the record. Traditionally, the beer was oxidized—this time with an air of plums and wet cardboard. It also had excessive acidity, tannins, and intense carbonation. The malt profile was also questionable, reminiscent of an English old ale rather than a Baltic porter.
The Książęce Porter didn’t offer much in the way of mouthfeel beyond a hollowness. Can this beer be classified as pleasant to drink? Opinions were divided. We’ve already reached the top ten, and we’re only just shy of the 50% mark.
9. Browar Sady / Piwo Tey! – Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 8.5%. Date: 14/04/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
95 points . Two years ago, we tested Abordaż z Sadów in the Imperial Porter category, where it took second place at the 2022 Craft Beer of the Year Competition. This year’s offering from the Poznań-based brewery is a Baltic porter released under the Tey! brand, boasting an 8.5% alcohol content on the label, qualifying it for the main category on Baltic Porter Day 2025.
Virtually every beer we drank was oxidized, so it’s no surprise that this descriptor also appeared in our neighbors’. For two judges, this was a flaw on a too high level, with notes of paper and honey.
I found this beer to be one of the better ones. I found pumpernickel flavors, bitterness, a slightly alcoholic finish, good balance, and overall, a lot of interesting flavors. Other judges lacked the roastiness and notes characteristic of Baltic porter . Comparisons to English porters emerged. Among the drawbacks, the tasters cited harshness and astringency from tannic acid, as well as a biting alcoholic character and a less than elegant profile.
Overall, however, this beer should be considered quite good, despite its obvious shortcomings.
8. Arcyksiążęcy Browar Zamkowy Cieszyn – Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.8%. Date: 24/01/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – 4/19.
97 points . Among alcoholic porters, this is probably the only beer with a calorie count listed on the label. It’s 84 kcal per 100 ml, or 420 kcal in a half-liter bottle. That’s quite a meal. Last year, Cieszyn didn’t participate in the WTPB, but two years ago it took a very high fourth place.
Eighth place in this year’s Grand Test is quite a good result. The aroma featured a pleasant licorice scent and notes of marzipan, though it also had a strong alcohol content, like Belgian Trappist beers, and a subtle solvent. There was, of course, a comment about a honey-like oxidation, but it was a rare exception.
The flavor here has a nice malt base, but overall, there’s not much going on. The Cieszyn Porter was well-balanced, with a distinct coffee roastiness and tannic roughness on the finish.
To sum up, the Cieszyn Baltic Porter was not clearly off-putting, but it was not particularly impressive either.
Very good beers (102-131 points)
BJCP classifies very good beers as those that are good representatives of the style being assessed, with minor flaws that, however, do not significantly detract from the experience. Again, the name is not very appropriate here and, in my opinion, too politically correct.
7. Browar Żywiec – Porter (butelka)
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 9.5%. Date: 28/10/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 8/14; 2023 – 11/19.
108 points . The 2025 Baltic Porter Day test, in the very good beers category, begins with a beer from the group. The title itself clearly shows that Żywiec was tested in two versions. I decided to buy both the bottle and the can – especially since they differed significantly in the date printed on them. I picked both beers off the shelf at a Carrefour store. I don’t know if Żywiec uses different recommended expiration dates on the different containers they sell their beer in, or if the can had been sitting in the warehouse or store for a longer period, but I decided to include both items in the competition.
Żywiec Porter is an absolute classic – alongside Komes , Warmiński , and Grand, it has always been one of the Big Four, or rather, one could say, the only four widely available Baltic porters on the market in the pre-craft era. Historically, it has always been characterized by a rather aggressive character, an alcohol-bitter profile, and has benefited greatly from aging. How was it this time?
As expected, the judges detected alcohol and roastiness, along with hints of pumpernickel, chocolate, licorice, and coffee. The beer was described as full-bodied and complex.
Among the flaws, the aforementioned alcoholic-roasted bitterness was the primary factor, making Żywiec Porter difficult to drink. It’s a distinctive beer that won’t appeal to everyone, but it’s definitely a solid performance from a veteran of Polish brewing.
6. Browar Na Jurze – Jurajskie Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 7.5%. Date: 4/11/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – none.
111 points . The only beer I ever bought in a 330-milliliter bottle. 0.5% ABV, with a whopping 22 degrees Plato, promised an incredibly sweet Baltic porter . Interestingly, it didn’t feel like one at all!
In terms of aroma, only one judge detected sulfur notes, while the others noted mainly strong chocolate, pumpernickel, and oxidized sherry notes. There were also complaints about the aroma hinting at a noticeable sourness.
The palate featured plenty of chocolate, elevated acidity, and a strong roastiness approaching a stout, though still within the upper limits of the style. One judge noted a herbal note, while several complained about excessive alcoholism and harshness.
Jurajskie Porter Bałtycki , despite its low alcohol content, had an impression similar to that of an imperial porter and, surprisingly, had a rather noticeable throat-stinging effect. Overall, most tasters found the beer pleasant and deserving of quite high marks, although there were some dissenting voices.
5. Browar Stu Mostów – WRCLW Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 19°. Alcohol: 7.3%. Date: 6/11/2025. Previous positions: 2024 – none; 2023 – 15/19.
112 points . Another beer with a very low alcohol content, which we tested two years ago. Back then, it fared very poorly. It’s nice to see the Baltic porter from Wrocław’s reputation on the rise. Maybe people will start talking about something else in the context of Browar Stu Mostów besides their rebranding. Yes, I also think the previous logo was better.
Despite a mere 7.3% ABV, one judge still found this porter to be rather alcoholic. Furthermore, as expected, the beer was considered rather empty and lacking in richness – which is not surprising compared to beers 2 or 3 degrees Plato thicker. Despite its shortcomings in this aspect, the Baltic porter from Stu Mostów offered us very tasty chocolate and coffee.
A light beer for its style, with a fairly pronounced roast, but still with a predominance of chocolate, and a pleasant mouthfeel. A good performance from the Wrocław team.
4. Browar Żywiec – Porter (puszka)
Extract: 21°. Alcohol: 9.5%. Date: 10/04/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 8/14 (bottle); 2023 – 11/19 (bottle).
113 points . As you can see, the battle just off the podium in the Grand Test was incredibly close. The three beers were separated by just two points! Żywiec Porter in a can proved better than the bottled one, despite its shorter shelf life, which may (but doesn’t necessarily) suggest an earlier bottling date. This, in turn, would lend credence to the argument that cans offer better environmental protection than bottles. It’s a shame, however, that the average customer still associates them with cheap discount beer.
Despite its high ranking, no beer appealed to all judges. One judge called it average, while another called it unpleasant. However, these were the minority opinions. The remaining five gave positive marks, highlighting qualities such as a chocolatey fullness, a good balance between malt, fruit, and roastiness, and flavor notes reminiscent of dark cookies. The coffee bitterness played well in the finish.
Among the noted flaws was a slightly increased alcohol content. Overall, however, Żywiec Porter tastes good and similar, whether in a can or bottle. The canned version received slightly more points and fully deserved its position just off the podium.
And what does this leading trio look like, which turned out to be better for Baltic Porter Day 2025?
3. Browar Trzech Kumpli – Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 20°. Alcohol: 8%. Date: 9/04/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 2/14 ; 2023 – 6/19.
121 points . And who will take home the bronze medal at Baltic Porter Day 2025? Of course, Browar Trzech Kumpli ! Last year, silver, this time bronze. A consistent form – a medal. It confirms that this is a brewery that stands out for its consistent quality and may not release a hundred new products a month, but it can perfectly refine existing recipes.
The most common word about this porter was “balanced.” An elegant, smooth beer that perfectly reflects the requirements of the Baltic porter style. This isn’t a porter that will blow you away with some incredible flavor you haven’t experienced before. Everything here is perfectly balanced and perfectly balanced to hit the mark.
Of course, the porter brewed by Trzech Kumpli at the Zapanbrat Brewery could be more expressive and complex, but it’s not a RIS, nor even an imperial porter. That’s what a classic Baltic porter tastes like. Some minor criticisms included alcoholism, a slightly too high carbonation, and one of the judges detected an unpleasant oxidation. However, very positive reviews prevailed, praising the beer’s balance.
So who takes home the silver at Baltic Porter Day 2025?
2. Browar Szreniawa – Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.4%. Date: 28/02/2027. Previous positions: 2024 – 1/14 ; 2023 – none.
123 points . What form! Gold last year, silver this time! Baltic Porter from Szreniawa near Poznań is – as they say – on fire . However… I have to add a spoonful of tar here. As a physical brewery, Browar Szreniawa – according to the information available to me – no longer produces beer on-site. Therefore, it’s a contract beer. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as we have transparent communication.
The biggest problem and cause for consternation here is the fact that there are at least two porters from Szreniawa on the market at the same time – from different production locations. Specifically, we have information about one of them – Browar Szczyrzyc (unfortunately, I don’t know if it’s the larger Gryf or the smaller Marysia ) – and it was this version that we tested. At the same time, I found a porter that didn’t have a brewing date. So either this beer was brewed back when beer was still being brewed in Szreniawa and is still listed there , or the production location isn’t specified on the label.
The beer from Szczyrzyc was slightly oxidized, in the style of Thyme and Coltsfoot cough drops, but it also came with a truly solid serving of chocolate, coffee, dark bread, and dried fruit. That’s it on the nose. What about the palate? Smooth, perhaps too dry, a slight alcoholic warming, and more bread and chocolate.
Overall, we were served a good, smooth Baltic porter that could have been a bit more extractive in flavor, but everything was there and drinking this beer was a great pleasure.
The time has come to announce the winner of the 2025 Great Baltic Porter Test at Beer, Bacon & Liberty. So who made Baltic Porter Day the most delicious? Who caused a sensation—let’s not be afraid to use that word?
Ready? Let’s show our cards. This is the best Baltic porter in Poland!
1. Browar Wielka Sowa – Sowie Porter Bałtycki
Extract: 22°. Alcohol: 9.3%. Date: 29/10/2026. Previous positions: 2024 – 14/14; 2023 – none.
129 points . Wow! Is this a surprise comparable to the rout of regional breweries at the beginning of this article and at the bottom of the list? I don’t know, although the previous year, Sowie Porter Bałtycki took last place. Back then, I wrote about cocoa crisps, a rich graininess, and a caramel lager. It’s incredible how much progress this beer has made since last year!
Despite one judge calling it thin, most enjoyed it very much. This Baltic porter is perfectly balanced, yet intense in flavor, very chocolatey, sweet—but not overly sweet. It was given time to settle, but at the same time, it didn’t oxidize. What’s more, it was probably the only beer in the field where none of the seven judges used the word “oxidation”!
In the mouth, we mostly noticed a lot of body, smoothness, fullness and even a slight sugariness did not interfere with drinkability.
It fell three points short of the category of outstanding beers – but I can certainly recommend Sowie Porter Bałtycki as a very good representative of the style.
This concludes our annual Grand Baltic Porter Test . I’m very pleased that we were able to organize it on an even larger scale, with a larger group, excellent judges, in a great location, and with a wide selection of beers.
While we drank quite a few good porters, none of them managed to earn the two highest categories (Outstanding and Excellent). Nevertheless, the top porters in the test are definitely worth trying!
Huge congratulations to the medalists, and best of luck in maintaining your form next year. Which result surprised you the most?
Let’s celebrate Baltic Porter Day 2025!
Not just a foodie, but also a self-taught chef who cooks and tests recipes from around the globe. A traveler and connoisseur of great dishes across countries and cultures. Certified beer sensory specialist. Owner of a contract craft brewery renowned for wild, experimental brews. A former homebrewer with deep know-how in brewing techniques and beer styles. Loves pushing flavor boundaries—both on the plate and in the glass. His motto: “Go big or go home.”