Beer connoisseur and passionate pub campaigner, Mark gives us his decision on the tastiest beer he has sampled in the last seven days.

Mark has been highlighting the values of Britain’s favourite drink for many years. He is a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. Follow @realaleupnorth on Twitter

This week’s outstanding beer proved a little problematic when describing how it tasted. An ambiguous Porter style ale, in my opinion, courtesy of Bolton brewer, Bank Top.

Port O’ Call (5%) is a porter I’ve enjoyed over many years. There’s a bottle of vintage port added to each cask. An enticing ale that is almost black in presentation with a creamy, off-white head.

The aroma was quite complex. Caramel, raisins, dark chocolate and a little winey. The flavours were equally complex. More dark chocolate, in addition to notes of prunes, burnt caramel malt, coffee and hints of liquorice and winey fruit.

Dark chocolate, coffee and more winey fruit were present, in the lingering, dry, tangy finish.

Port O’ Call is a moreish, deep-flavoured, gorgeous tasting ale. A stand out porter in excellent condition, at The Plough, Grimsargh, near Preston.