Einstok Icelandic Toasted Porter 6Pk is a 6% ABV Baltic-style porter from Iceland, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. This lager-yeast-fermented dark beer earned Gold at the 2015 Los Angeles International Beer Competition, along with an 87 score on BeerAdvocate from nearly 800 ratings — strong marks that reflect the brewery's commitment to a style rarely executed this cleanly. Quick Facts: ABV: 6% | Origin: Akureyri, Iceland | Style: Baltic Porter | Brewery: Einstök Ölgerð Production & Heritage Einstök Ölgerð operates in Akureyri, a port town on Iceland's northern coast just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle. The Toasted Porter follows Baltic Porter tradition by fermenting with lager yeast rather than the ale yeast used in English-origin porters — a practice that originated in Scandinavia and the Baltics, where cooler climates favored bottom-fermenting strains. The grain bill layers lager malt, Munich malt, and chocolate malt with Bavarian Northern Brewer hops and authentic Icelandic roasted coffee. All Einstök beers are brewed with naturally filtered Icelandic glacial spring water, prized for its purity and mineral softness, which contributes a distinctive crispness to the finished beer. Tasting Notes Aroma: Rich cocoa and roasted coffee rise first, followed by a layer of toasted malt sweetness. A faint licorice-like undertone lingers beneath the roast character. Taste: The entry is semi-sweet dark chocolate malt, dense but controlled. Mid-palate shifts to toffee and a subtle roasted coffee bitterness, while the lager-yeast fermentation keeps the body medium rather than heavy. The overall impression is robust yet surprisingly smooth and clean. Finish: A long toasty malt fade dominates, with residual chocolate and a dry, lightly bitter close. The finish is cleaner and crisper than most porters, a direct result of the lager yeast profile. How to Drink Einstok Toasted Porter Serve at 45–50°F to let the chocolate and coffee aromatics open fully; pouring into a tulip glass or snifter concentrates the nose and shows off the dark mahogany color. A Porter Flip — shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg — plays beautifully off the existing toffee and cocoa notes. It works well in a Black Velvet variant, where the porter replaces stout and its cleaner body blends seamlessly with sparkling wine. For a dessert-forward serve, try it in a Coffee Porter Float with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, where the Icelandic roasted coffee in the beer doubles down on the coffee-cream interplay. Best For Winter dinner parties where a dark, flavorful beer anchors a hearty meal Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates unique brewing traditions Exploring Baltic Porter style for drinkers moving beyond English and American porters Fireside sipping sessions when something rich but sessionable is called for Frequently Asked Questions What does Einstok Toasted Porter taste like? It delivers semi-sweet dark chocolate and toffee malt flavors with subtle roasted coffee, a faint licorice hint, and a surprisingly clean, crisp finish owing to its lager yeast fermentation. How does Einstok Toasted Porter compare to Founders Porter? Founders Porter is an American-style porter brewed with ale yeast at 6.5% ABV, producing a more pronounced roast bitterness and fuller body. Einstok's use of lager yeast results in a smoother, cleaner mouthfeel with less residual fruity ester character, placing it firmly in the Baltic Porter tradition rather than the American one. Is Einstok Toasted Porter good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its medium body, balanced sweetness, and clean lager finish make it one of the more approachable dark beers for straight sipping at cellar temperature. Where is Einstok Toasted Porter made? It is brewed by Einstök Ölgerð in Akureyri, Iceland, a town situated on the northern coast roughly 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, using glacial spring water sourced locally. What foods pair well with Einstok Toasted Porter? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs, where the roast malt mirrors smoke char. Dark chocolate brownies or flourless chocolate cake amplify the cocoa notes. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the toffee sweetness. Grilled lamb chops work well against the porter's malt richness. Vanilla bean ice cream or crème brûlée creates a classic dessert pairing with the coffee and chocolate character. What sizes does Einstok Toasted Porter come in? The standard format is a six-pack of 12 oz bottles; individual bottles and draft availability vary by market. Is Einstok Toasted Porter worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium import craft beer, and the combination of Icelandic glacial water, Baltic Porter technique, and multiple international medals — including Gold at the 2015 LA International Beer Competition — delivers strong value relative to comparably priced specialty porters. Why Einstok Toasted Porter? The defining move here is the lager yeast fermentation. Where most porters rely on ale yeast and carry residual fruity esters and a heavier body, Einstök's Baltic approach strips that away and replaces it with a remarkably clean, crisp backbone that lets the chocolate malt and Icelandic roasted coffee stand in sharp focus. The glacial spring water — naturally low in minerals and free of industrial pollutants — adds a purity of texture that is difficult to replicate outside Iceland. Gold at the 2015 LA International Beer Competition, Silver at the 2014 International Beer Challenge in London, and Silver at the 2018 NY International Beer Competition confirm this is not just a novelty import but a genuinely well-made porter recognized across multiple judging panels and years.
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