Who makes the best stout?

[chazwicke]

Who makes the best stout and what is it? Many of you seem to prefer stout. I like it too and have definite preferences. Include all types such as Oatmeal, Russian Imperial and Milk. I think I recall once trying an Oyster stout. Forget who made it. Anyone remember?

[steveh]

Boy - this is a wide open question - there are so many good Stouts out there. I like the Young's offerings and the big three Irish stouts. Mickey Finn's Brew-Pub in Libertyville, IL makes a terrific Oatmeal Stout. Geez - way too many to pick a fave.

I will say that I prefer less roastiness in my stout - less of that porter side of the flavor. On the other hand, I like the Anchor Porter quite a bit because it tends to be less roasty.

I tried an Oyster Stout at Porter's (no, the irony does not go unseen) Brew-Pub in Dublin, Ireland - had too, it was the only time I've seen the style offered. It was all right, although maybe a bit sharp or cloying in its flavor.

S.

[b3s]

whaddya say when someone offers you a guinness? whale oil beef hooked :D

i like the dry stouts (my personal favorite in beers), hate the coffee stouts, and have mixed feelings about chocolate or imperial stouts.

guinnes tops them out for me, but i also like murphy's. sierra nevada also makes a damn good stout imo.

[S.F.B.]

I like stou in every style I have tried. Some that I buy on a regular basis are:

Deschuttes Obsidean
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial
Breckenridge Oatmeal (when in Denver)
Sam Adams Cream Stout
McMennamin's Terminator (local only)

[hops99]

Bell's in Kalamazoo makes the widest variety of stouts I've ever seen from one brewery. The expedition stout is big, and the cherry stout is delicious - trust me, the cherry isn't a wine-cooler beer - it's a big, tasty stout as well with just the right hint of real cherries brewed in. Mmm.

[mwesth]

Hard choice... Of course, Guinness is allways nice, but I guess the best stout/porter I have had so far is the polish Zywiec Porter. Very fullfilling, a real nightcap! Unfortunally you can not buy it in Denmark :mad:
My everyday favorite stout is Carlsberg Imperial Stout

[steveh]

Originally posted by mwesth
Hard choice... Of course, Guinness is allways nice, but I guess the best stout/porter I have had so far is the polish Zywiec Porter. Very fullfilling, a real nightcap! Unfortunally you can not buy it in Denmark :mad:
My everyday favorite stout is Carlsberg Imperial Stout

Carlsberg Imperial Stout? Sounds to me as though you will be making us very jealous telling us about beers we never see over here in the U.S!

Through Michael Jackson's Real Beer Tour (beer of the month club), I've had the opportunity to try the Carlsberg 47 - their anniversary beer. In the U.S. Carlsberg is just another Heineken knock-off, but the 47 is wonderful, and can't be readily found over here.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by S.F.B.
Breckenridge Oatmeal (when in Denver)

There's a really good one one I'd forgotten. When in Breckenridge, too.

S.

[fretlessman71]

I second the Sierra Nevada vote. Almost as good as their porter and barelywine!

Old Rasputin is, of course, another fantastic stout. I always liked Sheaf Stout from Australia (if it's still made... it's been about 13 years since I've seen it).

[Fast_Eddy]

My big three are:

1) Guinness Draught
2) Samuel Smith Oatmeal
3) Young's Double Chocolate

[Jarod]

Cisco makes a good stout, Victory Storm King, Brooklyn Chocolate, Rogue Imperial, North Coast Old Rasp Imp Stout, Troegs Oatmeal stout.....so many really good ones out there. Just to name a small hand full.

Probably the most flavorful and unique Imperial Stout I have ever had was 3 Floyds Dark Lord Stout. If you can try it, do so....it is increadible.

[chazwicke]

I had forgotten about the Tooth's Sheath Stout. It was a good one.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I second the Sierra Nevada vote. Almost as good as their porter and barelywine!

I remember an old beer sage (home-brewer, pub brewer, and certified expert beer judge) once told me that he thought SN's stout was a good porter - and their porter was a good stout - stylewize. It's been a while since I've had either, I'll have to try them again soon.

S.

[chazwicke]

I need to try both the SN Porter and the Stout again too. I like a nice creamy stout without too much burnt flavor. Again I stand by my postings on an earlier, different thread that most American stouts and porters, (and there are exceptions) , are over done. Either way to burned or coffeelike and some have sort of an unpleasant rotting fruit aroma. Not so with most Brit / Irish stouts.

[mwesth]

Carlsberg Imperial Stout? Sounds to me as though you will be making us very jealous telling us about beers we never see over here in the U.S!

Then you should try to sit in bloody, little Denmark and read about all your american micro's. In DK american micro's are very expensive and hard to find. The last american beer I had was a Anchor Liberty Ale.. I loved it though I had to pay about 3,5$/33 cl. bottle!
And by the way: Carlsberg also sell their bland macro swill over here.

Morten

[newportstorm]

Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain Stout (Maine)
Weyerbacher Raspberry Imperial Stout
Deschutes Obsidian Stout
Magic Hat Thumbsucker
Ipswich Oatmeal Stout - best from the growler

Cheers!

[Payson]

My hands down favorite is Mackeson XXX. In fact, I'm brewing a clone as we speak. :D

[steveh]

One of my friends just returned from a vacation in Northern Calif., and brought me a bottle of North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial! Yum. I haven't sampled this in a few years, can't wait.

Fortunately, Spring has a stranglehold on the midwest and our high is supposed to be no more than 70 today - this will be a nice after dinner beer tonight.

S.

[hopjack13]

stone just released their imperial stout, it's a pretty big beer.
my wife really likes it . i poured a glass and about three seconds after i set it down it started to foam and i got the storm in the glass. i poured two glasses and with what little was left i poured slowly in a circular motion over the head on one of the glasses and i could actually see the liquid run across the head! that's how thick the head was!...WOW! another wonderful offering from the stone brewery! i scored it a 4.5 out of 5 on the taste wrote down some notes and stashed a couple bottles, this is going to be a much better beer with proper aging! DAMN I LOVE GETTING STONED!!!:D

[batkins]

They are supposed to have it in stock at Belmont Station next week. I'm there!

[hopjack13]

make sure to get a few for the cellar. were going to drink ours in three six month intrevals, should prove to be a truely enjoyable experiance.

[b3s]

Originally posted by steveh
I remember an old beer sage (home-brewer, pub brewer, and certified expert beer judge) once told me that he thought SN's stout was a good porter - and their porter was a good stout - stylewize. It's been a while since I've had either, I'll have to try them again soon.


have not had their porter as i don't usually like the style...but given those credentials i may have to give the sn porter a go, then...usually the only porter i bother with is yuenglings (once ever 9 blue moons when i get one).

i didn't particularly care for the breckenridge oatmeal stout...could have been an old keg or a bad pour, but i just accredited it to not like any of their beers overly much.

[steveh]

One of my friends just returned from a vacation in Northern Calif., and brought me a bottle of North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial!

Well, I drank the Imp Stout last night - I was sort of surprised at the thin body and lack of a head (but it *is* a British style beer, so the lack of a head probably shouldn't have surprised me). There was a definite roasted malt flavor in the beer, not my favorite in a stout, but not offensive either. The 8.9 ABV certainly added a "winey" character to the flavor, and the intense maltiness tended to over-ride any hop note.

I'll have to try it again soon for comparison, but this is certainly not a beer to overdo in one sitting!

S.

[threecb]

The guys in Chelsea Brewing are known for their stouts. At this years TAP NY festival they took a Bronze for their Oatmeal Stout, and they won a medals at GABF for other recipes. They always have some kind of stout on tap there. I think they rotate 4 or 5 recipes throughout the year (others are Coffee & Cream, Russian Imperial and Dry, I think). Very nice stuff.

While I tend to agree with Chazwicke on the Americans being a bit over-the-top, especially with "roasted" notes, these guys are still pretty solid with their versions. I especially like the C&C.

Unfortunately, you can only get them if your in NYC, at the Pub...

steve

[Brewdepest]

I'll definitely try one of those Stone stouts next time I'm at the liquor store (which, shamefully, is becomin a daily routine.)

Thought I can't really vouch necessarily for the "best," I can say that Black Hawk Stout just might be the worst beer I've ever tasted. Ever. My entire life. God awful, horrible beer.

[hopjack13]

next time I'm at the liquor store (which, shamefully, is becomin a daily routine.)
hey if i had a liquor store near me that carried stone i'd be there twice a day!
i just got ahold of an alaskan smoked porter 2002, GAWD DAMN!!! that is one fine beer! 5 out of 5 , i was very impressed!

[hnrblbrbrn]

My favorites are Guinness, of course, Mackesson, and Boulevard, and the best one of all, the next one.:D

[batkins]

Hopjack.....your about to get ahold of 2 more 2002 Alaskan Smoked Porters .........sound good? :D

[hopjack13]

sounds good to me i'll take all i can get!!!
thnx batkins
cheers;)

[guzzler67]

So many excellent choices when it comes to stouts: Imperials, Irish, chicory, oatmeal, chocolate, cream, oyster.
And so many excellent choices within those subcategories.
Some of my favorites:
Imperial - Samuel Smith (import) and Victory Storm King (Amer)
Irish - Beamish
Chicory - Dogfish
Oatmeal - Wild Goose
Chocolate - Brooklyn
Cream - Portland
Oyster - Fordham
I know I'm missing a lot, but this is a sampling of some good ones.

[kingjam]

southwark make an excellent one in australia, as does cascade.

[damn good]

Lefthand brewery from Colorado makes a MILK STOUT, Incredible dont let the name fool you it tastes more like a caramel stout a nice summer stout.

[batkins]

I tried a Bell's Special Double Cream Stout...... Damn! That was GOOD!

[bhoshour]

Wow, how do you answer that question when you have only been able to find a sampling of the world's stouts? Depends on my mood, I suppose, but Mackeson's Milk Stout has to be in my top ten. Samuel Smith also makes an OUTSTANDING line of stouts, though I would have to rank the Imperial Stout at the top - it has drinks remarkably smooth and has a stone flavor to it. Guinness has begun to taste bland to me and it has to be my least favorite stout in light of the massive selection available. Alaskan Smoked Porter has won the Gold three years running, but I have yet to be able to find a bottle.

[steveh]

Originally posted by bhoshour
...but Mackeson's Milk Stout has to be in my top ten.

Are you finding Mackeson's Milk Stout in the U.S. somewhere, or are you across the pond?

S.

[fretlessman71]

Does anyone else feel that the Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout would have been a lot better if it was in a brown bottle? I just don't think they hold up during the trek overseas very well. I'd love to go to the UK and taste a fresh one.....

[BREWERDLUX]

WE CAN GET THE MACKESONS HERE IN TEXAS, BUT IT IS WAY TO SWEET FOR MY TASTE. I TOASTED YOUNG'S DOUBLE CHOCOLATE AT MY WEDDING. IT IS ONE OF MY FAVES. OF COURSE MY OWN WICKED MULE OATMEAL WHEAT STOUT KICKS ASS! YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH A STOUT I THINK.

[skahtboi]

I really like the Young's Double Chocolate and Oatmeal Stouts, as well as Samuel Smith's Oatmeal. These are all very drinkable daily stouts. Rogue's Shakespeare is okay, a little "herby" for my taste. I also like the Sierra Nevada offering, but not as much as the first three I listed. (I think that their Porter and Pale Ale are much better than their Stout, personally.)

However, my current stout favorite has to be Mackeson's XXX Stout. Smooth, not too sweet, good balance of chocolate and coffee flavors.

Scott

[mscsdrnkbr]

I'm a huge Murphy's Irish Stout fan...best I've found so far...but I'm always willing to try new stouts... :D If anyone has a stout recipe let me know...

[Bman]

There can be only one stout champ and that would be Kalamazoo Brewing (AKA Bell's) they have about 10 stouts a year-mm.. Expedition Stout..Double Cream Stout...

There is only one champ-it is Bell's

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Does anyone else feel that the Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout would have been a lot better if it was in a brown bottle? I just don't think they hold up during the trek overseas very well. I'd love to go to the UK and taste a fresh one.....

I'd really be thrilled if anyone has an opinion on this post from a few weeks ago. I keep seeing Sam Smith's in the store, but I shy away from it due to earlier experiences with skunkiness...

[MmmBeer]

My prefrence:
1) Victory Storm King
2) Brooklyn Dark Chocolate
3) Guinness
4) Young's Double Chocolate
5) Rogue Shakespeare

[guzzler67]

Fret, I have had the Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout on several occasions and have never been disappointed; an above average beer. My preference, however, is for Smith's Imperial Stout. More compex, from the aroma to the finish - an excellent beer.

If it were up to me, I would not bottle in clear glass. Maybe they have their reason(s). My only caveat would be to buy where you trust they have handled the beer properly. An old bottle may turned skunky through no fault of the brewer.

[fretlessman71]

OK... give it to me straight... I can take it... am I just being too anal about this whole clear bottle thing? Am I missing out on some good stuff by dissing the clear and green bottles?

I'm in Nashville... they don't understand about light struck beer, or just don't care (one store owner told me just that - he knew that light was bad for the bottled beer, he just didn't care enough to do anything about it). HELP!!!

[b3s]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
OK... give it to me straight... I can take it... am I just being too anal about this whole clear bottle thing? Am I missing out on some good stuff by dissing the clear and green bottles?


not in the least, imo. i avoid clear bottles completely and green bottles most of the time.

[hopjack13]

the only time i drink out of a clear bottle is when im pounding me an ice cold M.G.D.!.......NOT!!! he....he...he sorry , i don't know what came over me, i never touch the stuff i asure you.
wychwood (spelling?) hobgoblin... was going to try it but i too was skeptical about purchasing a beer in a clear bottle. i see a clear bottle and think "ther're probably some kind of chemical stabilizers in there to compensate for the light damage" and move on. i don't think any brewer worth their salt would use a clear bottle. is there a good beer out there that comes in a clear bottle???? not to my knowledge (which isn't saying too much:rolleyes: )

[fretlessman71]

OK... so, the consensus is that clear bottles are awful, and the consensus is ALSO that Samuel Smith beer is FANTASTIC and that the clear bottles make no appreciable difference in the taste.

It's like saying Babe Ruth was the best ball player who ever lived, and so was Ty Cobb. I DON'T GET IT.

I guess I'm still waiting to hear from someone who has had a bad Sam Smith's out of a bottle (as I have), and from someone who has had it on tap and loved it (as I have not).
I guess I'm just wondering if there's something that I'm missing. Does alcohol content have anything to do with a beer's ability to withstand light damage?

I DID have a Samuel Smith's India Ale (one of the originals, maybe?) that was sold in a brown 12 oz. bottle (US ounces, Richard ;) ). It was DIVINE. Makes me almost want to have a case of Sam Smith's shipped directly to my door, wrapped in a black towel or something...

[Richard English]

All Sam Smith's beers are fine but I prefer them on draught. Their bottled beers are not bottle-conditioned which means that, good as they are, they don't have quite that roundness and complexity that bottle-maturation will bring.

In the UK there are several beers sold in clear bottles but, so far as I can recall, all the BCAs are in dark bottles (maybe to hide the yeast sediment from the sensibilities of those who expect their beer to be crystal clear).

Incidentally, Sam Smith's and John Smith's are two quite different breweries. Sam Smith makes fine beers; John Smith makes rubbish.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bman
There can be only one stout champ and that would be Kalamazoo Brewing (AKA Bell's) they have about 10 stouts a year-mm.. Expedition Stout..Double Cream Stout...

There is only one champ-it is Bell's

And over the weekend I discovered that my local beer bar has one or the other (depending) on draft! Was too hot for a stout, though - had an Oberon instead. ;)

S.

BTW - The Firkin in Libertyville, IL, on Milwaukee Ave, for those of you in the neighborhood - Dave, you in the forum yet?

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
OK... give it to me straight... I can take it... am I just being too anal about this whole clear bottle thing? Am I missing out on some good stuff by dissing the clear and green bottles?

I'm in Nashville... they don't understand about light struck beer, or just don't care (one store owner told me just that - he knew that light was bad for the bottled beer, he just didn't care enough to do anything about it). HELP!!!

Sounds like you have too many proprietors like that schmuck around Nashville. We went through this discussion about Pilsner Urquell some time back, didn't we? If you can find fresh beer that has been stored well, the bottle shouldn't make a difference. Find a good liquor store that cares about its beer -- and its customers!

S.

[chazwicke]

I, like the rest of you, am skeptical of clear glass however I do occasionally buy beer in clear bottles. I drank a Morelands Hens Tooth from England last night from a clear bottle and it was a bottle conditioned beer. Very good and I enjoyed it. So it is hit or miss. I would not limit myself to brown glass. Try to pull a bottle from the back of the cooler or even better from an unopened case that has been sheltered from the light. And sometimes you may even be able to establish a relationship with your local store owner. If he gets to know you, you may be able to make some recommendations regarding handling. Any saavy business owner will want to make his products more appealing. In the long run it will only help his business and his reputation.

[hopjack13]

never tried one but i found this from dublin Oyster Stout

Alcohol by volume 4.8%

Grain: Pale Malt, Roast Barley, Black Malt, Flaked
Barley.

Hops: Galena, Nugget, East Kent Goldings.

Special Ingredients: Oysters

Brewed with fresh oysters. A smooth drinking aromatic stout with a discernable but unidentifiable aromatic aspect. Not suitable for vegetarians.

[BrooklynBoy]

Best stout? Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Victory Storm King.

I hear Three Floyds Dark Lord is awesome but can't find it anywhere. Not even on the Three Floyds wed site. :(

[Summer]

Originally posted by hopjack13
never tried one but i found this from dublin Oyster Stout


I've tasted that at Porter House in Dublin. It was quite nice, but it had a bit too sharp flavour for me.

My favourite stout is, of course, Guinness (draught). But it tastes better in Ireland for some reason. I also like Murphy's and Beamish. My favourite stout from can (here in Finland) is Beamish, I think it tastes most the same that I recall it tasted back in Ireland.

J.

[Richard English]

"quote "...My favourite stout is, of course, Guinness (draught). But it tastes better in Ireland for some reason..."

Guinness is brewed from several different recipes, according to perceived local tastes. All Guinnesses are black and have a thick, creamy head. That is the only thing they all share; the taste of each different brew will vary.

[Summer]

Originally posted by Richard English
Guinness is brewed from several different recipes, according to perceived local tastes.

Didn't know that there are different recipes:o
I thought it had something to do with the use of presevatives.

J.

[MeridianFC]

Several recipes and several locations. Guinness is brewed in Dublin, London (or it was, but it is brewed in the UK), Nigeria, Jamaica, and most recently Canada (this is where the bottled Extra Stout in sold in the US comes from). I might even be forgetting a location. In the past Guinness was even brewed in the US at Long Island, NY. I think they ceased operations there in 1947.

The Guinness stout variations I'm aware of are:

Guinness Stout (brewed for the various local markets)
Guinness Extra Stout
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (brewed in Ireland for Belgium)
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (brewed in Jamaica)

The Guinness brewed in Ireland is quite tasty (it's supposedly the same thing they ship over here to the US).

The Guinness Extra made in Ontario, CA that is being sold in the US is severly lacking.

The Guinness Foreign Extra made in Jamaica is almost undrinkable.

I've not had the Belgian market GFE, but I've heard it's quite good, but who knows.

When it comes to the big three, I'm a Beamish man myself. :)

I'm also very partial to the Bell's, Dogfish Head, Brooklyn, Porterhouse, Alaksan, Biddy Early, and Castlerock products.

[Summer]

Ok!
Guinness Draught (and Draught in cans) sold in Finland is imported from Ireland. (and brewed there, I assume) That's why I was wondering about the difference in taste... But the Guinness Special Export Stout sold in Finland is brewed in Ireland for Belgium, and then imported to Finland from there. I guess... Doesn't make sense though:confused:

J.

[Summer]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
I've not had the Belgian market GFE, but I've heard it's quite good, but who knows.

If that's the same that Special Export Stout sold here, it is quite good and tasty. Very enjoyable;)

J.

[barley ben]

I'd have to go with 2.
Guinness just because it's Guinness and Yard's Love Stout, the stout that reminds me why I love stout so much. Every time I drink the stuff, I re-fall in love with it again. And I noticed a mentioning of oysters. Love Stout is boiled with oysters and if you happen to get lucky enough to visit the brewery on the day they boil this stuff, you can eat the oysters when they are done with them. Unfortunately, I haven't been there for that.

[Richard English]

Quote "...The Guinness Foreign Extra made in Jamaica is almost undrinkable..."

As is the Nigerian. You can get to try the various varieties at the GBBF in the imported beer area.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by BrooklynBoy
Best stout? Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Victory Storm King.

I hear Three Floyds Dark Lord is awesome but can't find it anywhere. Not even on the Three Floyds wed site. :(

Welcome to the board and thanks for reviving this thread.

[chazwicke]

Fordham / Rams Head in Annapolis will sometimes have two stouts one a Guinness Clone and sometimes an Oyster Stout both are quite good.

Speaking of Jamaica isn't Dragon Stout made by the brewers of Red Stripe. I would have thought that stouts would not be as popular in tropical climates. I have never had the Jamaican Guinness and I was not that fond of Dragon Stout either. Is it still made?

[Richard English]

One of the strange things about beer is that very strong stouts seem to be very popular in hot countries.

You will recall the bottle of Lion we shared at the GBBF. That 8+ % beer was brewed in Sri Lanka - and you don't get much closer to the equator than than that!

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by BrooklynBoy
I hear Three Floyds Dark Lord is awesome but can't find it anywhere. Not even on the Three Floyds wed site.
it's only available on tap and is seasonal, however it will be available next month in bottles. hopefully i'll have it then :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Richard English
One of the strange things about beer is that very strong stouts seem to be very popular in hot countries.

You will recall the bottle of Lion we shared at the GBBF. That 8+ % beer was brewed in Sri Lanka - and you don't get much closer to the equator than than that!

Very true and a very good beer as well. I found that I can sometimes get it here.

[sundontlie]

new member here! - I must say I've truly enjoyed stout talk, it is probably my favorite style of brew (of course I'll think differently tomorrow when I find some sick Belgian or something) especially in the winter... here's one that has gone without mentioning so far - Rogue Chocolate Stout - it's definately one of my favs. One problem though - & can anyone answer me? - last years batch was so silky smooth, milk chocolatey, & drinkable.. this years batch seems overly harshly hopped - almost perfumey, and tough to pound a few 22's of... I think so because I've compared new arrivals to my beer store with leftovers from last winter (I buy the bombers by the case from a trustworthy store owner) and if anyone wants a trustworthy beer vendor - give him a few homebrews!! I brewed a blueberry graham stout which he found pretty impressive...

[chazwicke]

That sounds interesting. I like blueberries and they are good for you as well. Welcome to the board!

[tjones_jr]

Originally posted by hops99
Bell's in Kalamazoo makes the widest variety of stouts I've ever seen from one brewery. The expedition stout is big, and the cherry stout is delicious - trust me, the cherry isn't a wine-cooler beer - it's a big, tasty stout as well with just the right hint of real cherries brewed in. Mmm.

I have to agree with you on the cherry stout. it's one of the best beers i've had lately. They actually have a variety pack with all of their stouts, I may have to pick one up this weekend.

[tjones_jr]

Originally posted by sundontlie
...if anyone wants a trustworthy beer vendor - give him a few homebrews!! I brewed a blueberry graham stout which he found pretty impressive...

welcome sundontile...

Good tip about the homebrew...do you have a recipie for that B_berry Graham Stoudt....I'd like to give it a try

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by sundontlie
new member here! - I must say I've truly enjoyed stout talk, it is probably my favorite style of brew (of course I'll think differently tomorrow when I find some sick Belgian or something) especially in the winter... here's one that has gone without mentioning so far - Rogue Chocolate Stout - it's definately one of my favs. One problem though - & can anyone answer me? - last years batch was so silky smooth, milk chocolatey, & drinkable.. this years batch seems overly harshly hopped - almost perfumey, and tough to pound a few 22's of... I think so because I've compared new arrivals to my beer store with leftovers from last winter (I buy the bombers by the case from a trustworthy store owner) and if anyone wants a trustworthy beer vendor - give him a few homebrews!! I brewed a blueberry graham stout which he found pretty impressive...

Welcome, welcome! Great to have you aboard! Tell me more about this bluberry graham stout. What makes it graham? I've loved graham crackers for years and always wanted to know where that flavor comes from. Does it do a similar thing to the beer? If so, I've got to try brewing something like this for myself!

[sundontlie]

o.k o.k I didn't think there would be such a response to my strange brew! I brewed my first batch when I was 16 - but since then I've only brewed 7 more - 4 in the last year - so I'm really just a newbie (extract brew w/ grains) who's getting more serious lately... And for all I know I just got really lucky with this one, because I know it tastes great, but my methods for getting there are most likely a bit foolish... I've been getting everything through www.homebrew.com and then expanding upon recipes I've found. I'd always thought that a Irish stout would taste great with graham crackers in it (and I'm not sure how they make the coffee) but I just steeped an entire box of coursely hand-crushed graham crackers in two brew socks along with the cracked grains. The crackers form a doughy like plasma after a while, but if you press, for example with a large spoon on the sock - the "dough" extrudes through the tiny holes and dissolves completely into the soon to be wort. About the blueberries - I actually steeped them in the water first - before the crackers- 2 full bags of frozen blueberries which I crushed in brew socks the same way, and then I added half a bottle of blueberrry flavoring before bottling. At first taste the beer was terribly green and weird so I thought it was crap - but about 13 months later I pulled one out, and it was like a miracle transformation - everything is perfect, the graham, the blueberry, its an excellent stout all around, taste and appearance. I gave so many away to friends that I only have a couple left, otherwise I'd definately enter some competitions with it.
p.s. I also dropped a bunch of blue food coloring into the wort post boil, which I hoped would add a blue hint to the head when poured, but that did absolutely nothing and was a stupid idea. I think most of how the beer turned out can be considered luck, especially the proportions of flavors, but nevertheless it made me a proud man. (and got me in with the guy at the beer store.) sorry so long!!

[fretlessman71]

So tell me how much of the graham flavor comes through. Could you taste it even when the beer was green? Maybe there's a different recipe better suited for graham crackers, something like a pale ale. Whaddya think?

[chazwicke]

You guys need to get this worked out, make some and send me a bottle.

[fretlessman71]

I'll trade you some graham stout for some english bottle conditioned beer... deal? ;)

[davesarman]

Originally posted by sundontlie
I'd always thought that a Irish stout would taste great with graham crackers in it

Welcome sundontlie! That is truly one of the most unique things I've come across! I would have never thought of it, but now that you mention it, that does sound tasty. Just goes to show how much innovation there is among us brewers! I may just have to give this one a try sometime! Keep pushing the envelope! :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I'll trade you some graham stout for some english bottle conditioned beer... deal? ;)

Nope, I'm just gonna send you a package and see if you enjoy it. (If you ever make one of the graham beers then you can send one if you want to.)

[fretlessman71]

Check your PM box in a few, chaz....

[chazwicke]

Got it and I will be sure to post it in LARGE letters.

[fretlessman71]

Damned Nashvillians.... :p

[Jinja]

Thin? Did someone say that Rasputin was thin?

What is thicker than Rasputin that is not a barleywine? What do you usually drink, tar? ;)

Jinja Out

[chris_o]

Two that I have particularly enjoyed recently are

O'Hanlons Original Port Stout
"Very dark chocolate colour, almost opaque. Aroma is burnt fruity malt, with some liquorice notes, but nothing really very striking - perhaps served a little too cold and I didn't have time to hang around for it to warm up a bit. This left me rather unprepared for the riot of flavours on the palate. Sweetish burnt malt predominates, but plenty of other hints in there too. Full bodied and beautifully balanced. Sweet and sour finish, with plenty of dry bitter grip. Most striking feature is the lush velvety texture - without doubt the creamiest real stout I have had, almost like the nitrogen enhanced Guinness feel, but far richer. A very nice beer. The only thing I would say is that I didn't really notice the port, but that really only goes to show that it is so well integrated that the port announces its presence in only the most subtle way. Handpump."

Bartrams Captain's Stout
"Not as heavy as some - more like a porter really. Not too sweet, and with a noticeable acidity. Also obvious smoky hints. Definite chocoalte/liquorice tones, as well as the smokiness, and beautifully balanced throughout."

I think the O'Hanlons finds its way to the US in bottle, but I doubt that the Bartram's does.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Jinja
What is thicker than Rasputin that is not a barleywine?

try the world wide stout from dogfish head or the speedway stout from the alesmith......damn near motor oil.
welcome jinja

[Bangbang]

My favorite Stout at this time is Samuel Adams Imperial Stout. I don't like Murphys Draught(taste like coffee with TO MUCH cream).Yuck! Bells and Sierra Nevada is good. Guiness Extra Stout was my favorite till I had Samuel Adams Imperial.