In the 1700's brewer Ralph Harwood in London came up with a beer that mimicked the flavor of a blended beer that was popular at the time.  The hard working London porters favored this beer and it soon became known as Porter beer.  Porter beer became the most popular style in London pubs then quickly became as popular in Ireland as in England.  Modern British porters are dark, full bodied ales showing more roasted character than brown ales, but less than stouts.  Most porters aren't black but have reddish-brown highlights with less aggressive espresso roast bite and a smoother, more chocolaty flavor than a stout. As with the British style beers, bitterness is nicely balanced against malt flavor and sweetness, with the yeast strain adding fruit aromatics.  At less than 5 percent, porters are not nearly so fearsome as they appear, and they are particularly seductive on chilly evenings!  Chuckanut Stout carries the roasted malt flavor with grace and ease and has a clean and very smooth finish.