Beginner Stouts

Sierra Nevada stout, Lion Stout, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout and Left Hand Nitro. These are good starter Stouts.

 

jump right into the good stuff. no point in beating around the bush. pick up some FBS or Founders imperial stout. jjjyeaaaah

 

Those are not beginner beers and I would never recommend them to someone that is just getting into the craft scene.

 

Stone IRS
North Coast Old Rasputin.

Great beers and wont break the bank.

Cheers!

 

I got started on stouts/porters with Gonzo Imperial Porter. Then worked my way towards the simpler ones. I guess the complexity and flavor strength is what got me into craft in the first place though.

I would suggest going to your local brewery and trying their stout, as well as all of their other offerings. As far as commercial goes I would say Barney Flats (sp?) from Anderson Valley. Great stout.

 

What stouts have you had so far? And what have you liked/disliked?

 

Left Hand Milk Stout
Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Santa Fe's Java Imperial Stout
Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout
Odell's Chocolate Milk Stout
Ska's Steel Toe Milk Stout.

Distribution of some of these beers could be an issue depending on your location.

 

Ten Fidy , Kalamazoo Stout, Dark Horse I-IV

 

Beginner Stout; Bells Double Cream is very easy to drink in my opinion.

 

Deschutes Obsidian
Sierra Nevada Stout
Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin

 

I just had FW Velvet Merlin for the first time and I thought it an excellent low abv, full flavored stout. Hope it is available in your area.

 

Samuel Adams Cream Stout was what did it for me. I'll second Sam Smith's Oatmeal and Sierra Nevada Stout and add Young's Double Chocolate Stout to the mix.

 

You really should start with Guinness.

Stay away from the Imperials for awhile. Do try oatmeal and milk stouts though.

 

Ten Fidy is what converted me into a stout lover.

 

Another thought get a few Porters , Founders, Bell's , Anchor....

 

Just crack open a Bourbon County Brand Stout. You'll be alright....

 

Beginner stouts aren't stouts at all, they're porters.

You wouldn't go looking for Double IPA recommendations without first trying a few pale ales and IPAs, right? I think the same is true of stouts. Sure, some are more "approachable" than others, but I would recommend trying a few porters first--or at least alongside, so you'll realize how the two styles differ (and how they are, often, quite similar).

 

the long lost cousin to left hand nitro: keegan ale's milk stout... and joe mama's is a good intro coffee stout.
kona brewing company makes a friendly beginnner stout as well....

 

Mine was Guinness. Actually, that was the first beer I would pay money for. Imperials might be a bit much to start with, depending on what else you like, but I would totally recommend Founders Breakfast Stout. Also, Left Hand Milk Stout, regular or nitro, Young's Double Chocolate for English, Murphy's and O'Hara's for Irish. Also also, I'm not much of a Magic Hat fan, but I quite liked Heart of Darkness.