Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald 6Pk

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter 6-Pack is a 6.0% ABV American porter from Cleveland, Ohio, packaged as six 12 oz bottles. Widely regarded as one of the definitive American porters — the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) cites it as a textbook example of the style — this brew has earned medals at the Great American Beer Festival and holds a 99 rating on RateBeer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  IBU: 37  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: American Porter  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company was founded in 1988 in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, making it one of Ohio's pioneering craft breweries. Edmund Fitzgerald Porter — named after the legendary Great Lakes freighter lost in a 1975 storm on Lake Superior — is built on a malt bill of 2-Row base malt, medium crystal malt, chocolate malt, and roasted barley, a combination that blurs the line between porter and stout traditions. The hop profile features Apollo, Willamette, and Cascade varieties, blending American and European-influenced hop character to complement the beer's roasty backbone rather than compete with it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep roasted malt leads, followed by waves of dark chocolate, faint brewed coffee, and a subtle earthy hop undertone. The nose is rich but never heavy-handed, hinting at the complexity waiting in the glass.

Taste: The entry is decidedly malty and smooth, with bittersweet chocolate arriving immediately on the tip of the tongue. Mid-palate shifts to sharply roasted grain and espresso-like bitterness, while the Cascade and Willamette hops provide a measured herbal counterpoint. The interplay between sweet and bitter remains balanced throughout, with the roasted barley lending a dry, almost mineral edge.

Finish: Medium-long and gently astringent, the finish carries lingering dark chocolate and a clean roasted grain dryness. A trace of earthy hop bitterness holds on at the very end, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Edmund Fitzgerald

Pour into a tulip glass or English pint glass at 45–50°F to let the roasted aromas fully open up; too cold and the chocolate and coffee notes stay muted. Edmund Fitzgerald also works well in a Black Velvet, layered with dry sparkling wine for a striking textural contrast. A Porter Float — a scoop of quality vanilla ice cream dropped into the glass — turns the beer's bittersweet roast into an indulgent dessert drink. It can also anchor a Coffee Porter Shandy, blended with cold brew concentrate and a touch of simple syrup for a brunch-worthy creation.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer drinker to the porter style with a benchmark example
• Cold-weather evening sessions alongside hearty meals
• Gifting a beer enthusiast who appreciates award-winning American craft
• Building a tasting flight of dark American ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Edmund Fitzgerald taste like? Edmund Fitzgerald delivers a bittersweet blend of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and toasted grain, balanced by moderate hop bitterness and a smooth, full body. The roasted barley gives it a dry, slightly astringent edge that keeps the sweetness in check.

How does Edmund Fitzgerald compare to Deschutes Black Butte Porter? Both are frequently cited as top-tier American porters, but Edmund Fitzgerald leans more heavily into sharp roasted barley character and astringent dryness, while Black Butte Porter tends toward a creamier, slightly sweeter chocolate profile. Edmund Fitzgerald also uses a combination of American and European-style hops that gives it a more pronounced herbal bitterness at 37 IBU.

Is Edmund Fitzgerald good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its complexity and balance make it one of the most satisfying American porters to drink straight from the glass. Pouring it at cellar temperature (around 50°F) brings out the full range of chocolate and coffee aromatics.

Where is Edmund Fitzgerald made? Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding in 1988.

What foods pair well with Edmund Fitzgerald? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches the beer's roasted depth. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts nicely with the chocolate malt sweetness. Chocolate lava cake or brownies create a rich dessert pairing. Oysters — a classic porter companion — play off the beer's mineral dryness. Chili or black bean stew echoes the roasted, earthy character.

What sizes does Edmund Fitzgerald come in? Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is widely available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles and is also found on draft at select locations.

Is Edmund Fitzgerald worth the price? Edmund Fitzgerald sits in the everyday craft beer tier, yet its quality and critical recognition rival porters at higher price points. With a 99 on RateBeer and GABF medals to its name, it represents strong value within the American porter category.

Why Edmund Fitzgerald?

Few American porters carry the pedigree of Edmund Fitzgerald. The BJCP — the organization that literally defines beer styles for competition judging — points to this beer as an example of what an American porter should be. Its malt bill, which pairs chocolate malt and roasted barley in a way that bridges porter and stout conventions, creates a roast character more layered than most competitors in the category. Backed by a 99 RateBeer score and multiple Great American Beer Festival medals earned over the years, Edmund Fitzgerald has maintained its reputation not through hype but through consistent, uncompromising brewing from one of the Midwest's most respected craft producers.