961 Porter 6Pk

961 Porter 6Pk is a six-pack of English-style porter brewed by 961 Beer in Lebanon at 5.6% ABV. Born from one of the Middle East's pioneering microbreweries — founded during the 2006 July War — this porter brings a serious malt-forward profile built on British caramel and dark roasted malts with no additives.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.6%  |  Origin: Mazraat Yachoua, Lebanon  |  Style: English-Style Porter  |  Brewery: 961 Beer

Production & Heritage

961 Beer was established in 2006 in the mountain village of Mazraat Yachoua, Lebanon, during the country's July War — a founding story that speaks to the resilience behind the brand. The brewery became one of the first microbreweries in the Middle East, and its lineup adheres to strict ingredient standards, using no additives such as corn-starch or sugar. The Porter is built on a grist of rich British caramel malts and dark roasted malts, balanced with traditional English hop varieties in a style faithful to the classic London porter tradition.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Scorched caramel and toasty bread crust greet the nose first, followed by a deeper wave of smoky char. There is a background suggestion of roasted coffee beans and faint dark fruit.

Taste: The entry delivers dark chocolate-covered caramel that transitions into French roast coffee at the mid-palate. A mild dark fruit undercurrent weaves through, while black malt bitterness and a touch of minerality provide structure against the residual sweetness. The body is lighter than many porters, keeping things approachable rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium in length with a balanced interplay of bitter and sweet, leaving lingering cocoa and roasted grain on the palate. A faint mineral dryness closes things out cleanly, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink 961 Porter

Serve at 50–55°F to let the caramel and roasted malt character open fully; pouring into a tulip or nonic pint glass concentrates the aroma. This porter's light body and balanced sweetness also make it a capable cocktail ingredient. A Black Velvet — equal parts porter and sparkling wine — plays the roasted malt against bright effervescence. A Porter Flip with egg yolk, simple syrup, and nutmeg leans into the chocolate-coffee richness. A Snakebite mixed with dry cider amplifies the dry, mineral finish while cutting sweetness.

Best For

• Introducing friends to craft beer from outside the usual American and European regions
• Pairing with a weekend barbecue or grilled meat spread
• Building a global beer tasting flight for an adventurous gathering
• Cool-weather evening sessions when lighter stouts and porters feel right

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 961 Porter taste like? 961 Porter leads with dark chocolate and caramel malt sweetness balanced by French roast coffee bitterness, black malt char, and a touch of minerality. The body is lighter than many porters, with medium carbonation and a clean bitter-sweet finish.

How does 961 Porter compare to Fuller's London Porter? Both are English-style porters rooted in traditional British malt bills, but Fuller's London Porter tends toward a slightly richer body and more pronounced toffee character at 5.4% ABV. 961 Porter runs a touch higher at 5.6% ABV with a leaner frame, more prominent char, and a mineral-dry finish.

Is 961 Porter good for beginners? Its lighter body and medium carbonation make it more approachable than many heavier dark ales, while the balanced sweetness-to-bitterness ratio avoids overwhelming new dark beer drinkers.

Where is 961 Porter made? 961 Porter is brewed by 961 Beer in Mazraat Yachoua, a village in the mountains of Lebanon. The brewery was founded in 2006 and is recognized as one of the first microbreweries in the Middle East.

What foods pair well with 961 Porter? Grilled lamb kebabs complement the smoky char and malt sweetness. Rich chocolate desserts like brownies or flourless chocolate cake echo the cocoa notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère mirrors the caramel malt character. Slow-braised short ribs benefit from the roasted coffee bitterness cutting through the fat. Roasted root vegetables with their natural sweetness find balance against the porter's minerality.

What sizes does 961 Porter come in? This listing is a six-pack; 961 Beer typically packages its beers in standard 330ml bottles.

Is 961 Porter worth the price? 961 Porter positions as a specialty import craft beer, and the price reflects both its quality additive-free brewing and the logistics of importing from Lebanon — it represents solid value for drinkers seeking something genuinely different in the porter category.

Why 961 Porter?

What makes this porter genuinely distinctive is its origin: brewed in Lebanon by a brewery born during wartime, using an additive-free process that commits to natural ingredients over cost-cutting shortcuts. The malt bill follows classic English porter blueprints — British caramel malts and dark roasted malts balanced by traditional English hops — but the execution carries its own identity with a lighter body, dry mineral edge, and clean roasted finish. For anyone whose beer shelf is stacked with American and British labels, 961 Porter offers a legitimate, well-made alternative from one of the least expected brewing regions on earth. It is a conversation starter that backs up its story with genuine craft.