One interesting (if over-priced ) product I tried is the meantime london porter, which if the label is believable, actually is a blend of beers rather than the normal single batch without unmalted (roasted) barley that stouts use. I have found considerable batch variation in it but when it is good it is quite good.
Salopian has a pleasant porter as well. The one thing americans seems to have really taken over is imperial stouts, which afaik they have essentially no competition at all anymore in but many breweries do very well.
"actually is a blend of beers rather than the normal single batch without unmalted (roasted) barley that stouts use"
Maybe a throwback to the original concept of a porter.
Never had Meantime. Had Fullers London Porter, which is good enough to me.
Left Hand Brewing Co makes Black Jack Porter, which I enjoy.
Truthfully I don't know much about how particular styles of beer are brewed, I just experiment and find what styles I enjoy.
Pilsners, IPAs and most lagers don't seem to do much for me. One exception is Grolsh's Blond Lager. Very clean tasting.
I do have one opinion that never changes:
Friends don't let friends drink lite beer.