Why are the imported stouts getting a bad rap?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by shagens, Feb 27, 2013.

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  1. dar482

    dar482 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,039) Mar 9, 2007 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Just had Sam Smith's Imperial Stout yesterday. The British make some of my favorite stouts and porters.
     
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  2. shagens

    shagens Zealot (535) Feb 11, 2013 Wisconsin

    Jeff,
    Well said and thanks everyone for the input I appreciate it.
    There are some domestic stouts that are very close to the top of my list I just found the ones I referenced above good but I was expecting more based on their ratings. These domestics below I do consider top tier:

    Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee – this is my all-time favorite beer or very close
    Nebraska Brewing Black Betty – this rates an 89 BA, 100 The Bros, and and a 3.97 rAvg. I have limited supply of this so do not drink if often but every time I have it I think it is amazing
    North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin XV – I hoarded as much of this as I could
    Central Waters BA Stout and Peruvian Morning – Both WI beers so I have had in bottles and on tap. I really like both and would drink anytime.

    I think I need to do more research and I am going to do a lot more. The local place I go is starting a De Molen tap takeover tonight so I will start there. I also just bought some Founders Breakfast Stout and I think I will split one with my beer drinking buddy before we go.

    Cheers!
     
  3. Onizilla

    Onizilla Initiate (0) Apr 25, 2009 New York

    Cause this is murrika, we like murican beers.
     
  4. Azzy

    Azzy Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2012 Texas

    Brouwerij De Molen Hel & Verdoemenis. Best damn stout ever. I love this fucking beer.
     
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  5. shagens

    shagens Zealot (535) Feb 11, 2013 Wisconsin

    Azzy,
    I am right there with you. I am going to have it on tap tonight for the first time so I am pretty excited. If you ever have trouble getting any and need to set up a trade let me know. I have a pretty steady supply.
     
  6. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    They taste too foreign?
     
  7. Jeffo

    Jeffo Pooh-Bah (2,850) Sep 7, 2008 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    What De Molen do they have on tap tonight? Besides the brewery, I've only seen De Molen on tap once. And I live in fuckin' Holland.

    Jeff
     
  8. Species8472

    Species8472 Initiate (0) May 12, 2012 Wisconsin

    Assuming he is talking about Brasserie V. They have Cease & Desist (Rasputin), Hamer & Sikkel, Hel & Verdoemenis, and Jarr & Dag on tap.
     
  9. shagens

    shagens Zealot (535) Feb 11, 2013 Wisconsin

    I am talking about the V. That is the only place I go.
     
  10. Andygirl

    Andygirl Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2013 Michigan

    De Struise's stouts rate well. Rare, yes, great, yes.
     
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  11. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    As far as Mikkeller Black is concerned, 85 is much too high a score for that beer, unless you like nail polish.
     
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  12. lsiberian

    lsiberian Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2013 Texas

    I know at my liquor store there is a lot more variety in the domestics than in the Europeans. Of course my favorites have been the Europeans, but I am a liberal communist traitor.
     
  13. Jeffo

    Jeffo Pooh-Bah (2,850) Sep 7, 2008 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Hmmm... You're getting most of the stuff that was made in decent volume. I guess that's to be expected. The Hamer & Sikkel is alright and the Jaar & Dag is a wonderfully hoppy saison, but the Rasputin is a weak imperial stout. I honestly wish they'd stop brewing it. My favorite is the Hel & Verdoemenis, which is absolutely fantastic! The barrel aged H&V variants are usually phenomenal, though they don't get around much.

    Enjoy! De Molen is our baby here in Holland.

    Cheers,
    Jeff
     
  14. maximep

    maximep Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2009 New York

    No one gives a fuck about Nils Oscar's Imperial Stout and that.... is okay i guess!
     
  15. ChrisMon02

    ChrisMon02 Pooh-Bah (1,611) May 2, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Society

    LMAO
     
  16. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,848) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I think there is something to this- you are not only looking at stylistic differences in the way the beers are brewed, but how they tend to be received (which is where the scores figure into it). European styles will have more of their complexity come from a distinctive yeast signature, and by making a robust beer while not overpowering it with the roasted malts. American approaches tend to be full force with the roasted malts, high terminal gravity, hops and other flavors and rely on a more neutral signature.

    Personally, I think the bludgeon is fine every now and then, but those beers tend to wear on me after the first half-pint or so, whereas Courage is just starting to pick up steam. If I had to choose, that one would be my perfect 'big stout'.
     
  17. shagens

    shagens Zealot (535) Feb 11, 2013 Wisconsin

    Drank all 4 tonight and they are all quite good. The Hel is definitely the star of the show.
     
  18. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    all the scores talked about are really high.

    re: comparing calvados weasel with stone IRS... i think if you're serious about reviewing (or at least serious enough to give it any thought) you grade them both as different styles. one's a BA RIS, one's a RIS. stone IRS is pretty much perfectly put together. calvados weasel... IMO it delivers a lot more flavor, but i've also had better BA RISs. not all styles are created equal, at least not when it comes to subjective "beer A is better than beer B."

    also, sticker shock hurts mikkeller beers in the USA. you drop $30 on a beer, you want it to be sublime or you're angry.

    ----

    all that said, i reiterate that all those beers are good, and in truth they're all highly rated. probably just low sample size for the ratings.

    p.s. didn't read thread. don't plan to either unless someone starts an argument with me or something.
     
  19. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    ^this

    That beer tastes like a tire fire.
     
  20. JamesShoemaker

    JamesShoemaker Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2012 Michigan

    I hardly ever look at the 100 point scale score. rAVG is a lot more helpful, IMO.
     
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