Dark Side Cascade Porter

American porter | 5.1% ABV | 23 litres

Nobody expects Cascade in a porter. That’s what makes this one worth brewing.

Dark Side Cascade Porter is an American porter built on a dark malt base, two steeped specialty grains, and a single late Cascade hop addition that changes everything. The roast and chocolate character from the chocolate malt and dark crystal is exactly what you’d expect from a well-made porter. The Cascade hit at 5 minutes is not.

Cascade is known for grapefruit, citrus, and floral brightness. In a pale ale it’s front and centre. In a dark porter it does something different  it cuts through the roast, adds a lift of citrus aroma, and turns what could be a heavy, one-dimensional beer into something that keeps pulling you back for another sip.

What’s in the kit

Everything you need for 23 litres comes pre-measured and ready for brew day, with full step-by-step instructions. The grain steep adds about 20 minutes to your brew day and is straightforward — no specialist equipment required beyond a fine strainer.

Beer stats

Tasting notes

Appearance: Deep black-brown with ruby highlights when held to the light. Dense, tan-coloured head with good retention.

Aroma: Roasted coffee and dark chocolate from the specialty grains, with a distinct lift of citrus and floral character from the Cascade late addition. It’s an unusual and genuinely compelling combination.

Flavour: Dark malt up front — roasty, slightly bitter, with toffee sweetness from the dark crystal. The Cascade brings citrus brightness through the middle that stops the beer from feeling heavy. Clean, dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body with good carbonation. Smooth and satisfying without being thick or cloying.

Who this is for

Dark ale drinkers who want something with more complexity than a standard porter. Pale ale fans curious about going darker without losing hop character. And anyone who’s been told porters are boring — hand them this.

It’s also a genuinely good food beer. The roast and citrus combination works well alongside grilled red meat, strong cheese, and dark chocolate. The NB brewer who inspired this recipe used to spike his barbecue sauce with it. That’s not a bad idea.

One tip

Give it at least 4 weeks in the bottle before you judge it. The roast character from the chocolate malt softens noticeably over the first couple of weeks of conditioning, and the Cascade aroma settles into the beer rather than sitting on top of it. It’s worth the wait.