It was from Michael Jackson's World Guide to Beer, published in 1977 that we learned about Porter, the foundation of the commercial brewing industry. At the time, there were no-top fermented Porters being brewed in England where the style was introduced. In the 18th century, it became immensely popular, first in London and later, throughout the British Isles; Porterhouses, pubs featuring steak and ale, now remembered only by a cut of beef, were fixtures in colonial America. When Michael Jackson's book was published the only porters available were bottom fermented lagers brewed in the US and Eastern Europe. Inspired by Michael, Charles Finkel approached the oldest brewery in Yorkshire to reintroduce a real "top fermented porter" in 1979. The Famous Taddy Porter was born. Michael, who was from Yorkshire, shared our pride and became a big porter supporter -- not only with Taddy, but as the style became popular, also in the fast growing craft brewing industry. Michael would have loved Pike Pro-Am Porter (please see Pike Press, July 2008); it is now available in our pub and at a few select outlets in Washington State.