Back Forty Kudzu Porter — Dark, Rich, and Appropriately Unstoppable

The Review

Kudzu is the invasive vine that swallowed the American South. Once established, it grows a foot a day, climbs over everything, and cannot be stopped by any conventional means. Back Forty named their porter after it, and it’s the most accurate beer name in Alabama.

Kudzu Porter pours dark brown, nearly black, with a tan head. The nose is roasted malt, dark chocolate, a hint of coffee. The palate is medium-bodied and rich without being heavy — good roast character, a hint of bittersweet chocolate, and a clean, dry finish that cuts through the sweetness and leaves you wanting more. Like the vine, it’s impossible to stop once you’ve started.

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Back Forty launched Kudzu alongside Freckle Belly IPA when the Gadsden brewery opened, and the pairing makes sense: one for the hop people, one for the dark beer people, both excellent. The Birmingham Sloss Docks location keeps it on tap year-round, which is the right call — a porter this food-friendly deserves permanent placement.

Pair with the Back Forty Burger. Or the peanut butter porter if you’re already two beers in and making interesting decisions. Either way, you’re in the right place.

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