Ale Syndicate Richie 6Pk

Ale Syndicate Richie 6Pk is a 6-pack of imperial porter brewed in Chicago, Illinois, with an 8% ABV built on roasted barley and chocolate malts. Named "Best Porter" by Chicago Magazine in 2013 and ranked the #3 Porter Beer in America by Paste Magazine, Richie earned a 96 rating on RateBeer — a remarkable score that placed it among the top-rated porters in the country.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial/Double Porter  |  IBU: 32  |  Brewery: Ale Syndicate

Production & Heritage

Ale Syndicate was a Chicago-based brewery recognized as "Best New Brewery in Illinois" by RateBeer.com in 2013. The brewery operated from its location at 2601 W. Diversey Avenue in Chicago and initially worked with partner breweries throughout Illinois before establishing its own production facility in 2014. Richie is built on a grain bill of roasted barley and chocolate malts, yielding a restrained 32 IBUs that keep bitterness in check while allowing the malt character to dominate — a deliberate choice that separates it from hoppier imperial stouts. Note that Ale Syndicate has since closed, making remaining bottles increasingly scarce.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A mellow char greets the nose first, followed by pronounced chocolate malt sweetness. Subtle dark fruit and toasted grain notes emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is dominated by rich chocolate malt, delivering what reviewers have described as "liquid chocolate cake with cherries on top." The mid-palate introduces a light earthiness and toasted malt underpinning, while a hoppy, gently bitter undercurrent keeps the sweetness from cloying. At 8% ABV, warmth is present but well-integrated.

Finish: Clean and semi-sweet, balancing the roast character with restrained bitterness. Lingering chocolate and toasted grain fade slowly without harshness.

How to Drink Richie

Richie is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a snifter or tulip glass that concentrates its chocolate and roast aromatics. A slight chill is fine, but avoid serving it ice-cold, which mutes the malt complexity. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Black Velvet (half porter, half sparkling wine) where the chocolate richness adds depth; a Porter Float with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that plays off the semi-sweet finish; or a Porterita — a beer-tail blending porter with lime juice and agave — where Richie's restrained bitterness and chocolate malt provide a sturdy backbone.

Best For

• Collecting discontinued craft beer from notable Chicago breweries
• Pairing with a rich dessert course at a dinner party
• Gifting a dark beer enthusiast who values award-winning porters
• Cold-weather evening sipping alongside a fireplace

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Richie taste like? Richie delivers a dominant rich chocolate malt flavor layered with toasted grain and a hint of dark cherry, often described as tasting like liquid chocolate cake. A gentle hop bitterness and clean, semi-sweet finish keep the overall impression balanced rather than heavy.

How does Richie compare to Founders Porter? Founders Porter is a standard American porter at approximately 6.5% ABV, while Richie is an imperial porter at 8% ABV with a noticeably fuller body and more intense chocolate malt character. Richie's lower IBU of 32 also makes it less hop-forward than many imperial-strength dark beers, leaning further into malt sweetness.

Is Richie good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 8% ABV, layered chocolate and roast profile, and clean finish make it an ideal standalone sipper, especially when served slightly below room temperature to let the malt complexity fully develop.

Where is Richie made? Richie was brewed by Ale Syndicate in Chicago, Illinois, a brewery that operated from the city's Logan Square area and initially partnered with breweries across the state before opening its own facility in 2014. The brewery has since closed.

What foods pair well with Richie? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the roast malt mirrors the char; dark chocolate truffles that amplify the beer's cocoa notes; sharp aged cheddar, which contrasts the sweetness; hearty beef stew, where the malt richness complements braised meat; and cherry pie or black forest cake, echoing the subtle dark fruit undertones.

What sizes does Richie come in? Richie is available as a 6-pack of standard 12-ounce bottles.

Is Richie worth the price? Richie positions as a premium craft imperial porter, and its accolades — including a 96 RateBeer score and "Best Porter" recognition from Chicago Magazine — place it well above average in quality for its price tier. With the brewery now closed, remaining stock carries additional collectibility.

Why Richie?

Few American porters accumulated the critical recognition that Richie earned during its production run: a 96 on RateBeer, a "Best Porter" title from Chicago Magazine, and a #3 national ranking from Paste Magazine. The beer's deliberate grain bill — roasted barley and chocolate malts at a restrained 32 IBUs — prioritizes depth and drinkability over aggressive bitterness, a balance that distinguished it in a category often dominated by hop-heavy imperial stouts. With Ale Syndicate now closed, Richie stands as a piece of Chicago craft brewing history, and any remaining bottles represent a finite opportunity to taste one of the city's most acclaimed dark beers.