Beginner Stouts

Definitely Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout, still a favorite of mine. I know some folks dig the thicker beers from the beginning, but early in my career the high viscosity beers put me off a bit. So Im gonna suggest Tallgrass' Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout as well, if it's in your area, and for porter, Odell's Cuthroat is always a good choice.

 

Guiness is a good starter into normal English style stouts, Old raspy is a good starter into Russian Imperial Stouts.

 

While I understand the trepidation of some to recommend a big stout to a beginner, there is some merit to jumping in the deep end of the pool. Young's Double Chocolate was the first non-Guinness stout I had, and I hated it (still do). After that I tried Ten Fidy and was hooked. Another thing to try is to give a beginner an aged Imperial Stout; I gave a friend of mine who claimed to not like stouts a late 2009 Ten Fidy (in 2012) and he thought it was ridiculously delicious. He now drinks Marshal Zhukov with me.

 

terrapin moo hoos

 

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout. Easily accessible to beginners, still delicious to advanced stout drinkers.

 

Aside from Guinness I think Founders Breakfast Stout was the first stout I had that really got me into craft beer and stouts in general. Still possibly my favorite beer to this day so I would join the others in recommending it. Stoudts Fat Dog is a pretty tame but tasty stout that might also be good for someone new to the style.

As far as developing a palate goes Im no expert here but aside from Breakfast stout the next stouts I sampled were Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Brooklyn Black Ops and of course Bourbon County Stout all which I found to be incredible right off the bat.

 

youngs may be the flattest, one note disaster to ever exist. why this beer gets acclaim i'll never understand. big stout's like zhukov offer depth and complexity which is why they are so enjoyable.

 

Pretty much agree with what everybody else is saying. Sierra Nevada Stout is perfect. Still one of my favorite session beers to this day. Also check out The Poet by New Holland brewing co. If you can get it in your area.

 

I agree with trying porters in addition to stouts. I'm a big porter and stout guy myself; I would recommend Sierra Nevada Stout, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, London Porter, Anchor Porter, Founders Porter for less "intense" stouts/porters and Narwahl or Old Rasputin if you're looking for something more "intense".

 

Avery Out of Bounds Stout was my gateway. I highly recommend it as a beginner stout

 

I loved this one, unfortunately something changed.

 

^^^^^ This. We can end the thread now :-)

 

Alameda Black Bear Stout is one of the most dry, light bodied stouts that I've encountered. To me those are the attributes of a beginner stout. A second more available beer would have to be Deschutes Obsidion Stout.

 

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, Sierra Nevada Stout, Old Rasputin, and Deschutes Obsidian Stout. If you're feeling more adventurous and daring: Sam Adams Imperial Stout and Sierra Nevada Narwhal are both really complex but not too over the top.

Left Hand Milk stout isn't bad either, but not a personal favorite.

 

This thing keeps on reappearing in its own threads and the consensus is that whether it's called a stout or porter is the brewer's whim.All stouts are of course de facto porters.

 

IDK, I'd say for a beginner Narwhal is pretty big & thick. It's not Hoppin' Frog or Stone BIG but I think Left Hand Milk Stout is probably middle ground. Some have said Guinness, which I think is muddy water @ best style wise. My introduction to stouts was St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, Young's Oatmeal Stout, & Bell's Kalamazoo Stout. The mix-six is the best thing that's been said yet...who wouldn't do that anyway.

 

There are a lot of good recommendations here, and I'll definitely second everyone who's said Left Hand and Samuel Smith. On the other hand, here is what you should definitely not do.

Do NOT buy a fresh DFH WWS and drink it without any age on it because you're really excited to try the beer you just bought. I made that mistake when I first looking down craft beer the rabbit hole and I've regretted ever since.

 

If he is "Just getting into the craft beer scene" do you think he (or I for that matter) know what DFH WWS is?
Not sure if you get Two Brothers where you live but I like their Northwinds Imperial Stout. Not too heavy or high ABV for a stout.

 

Assuming you can get Great Lakes Brewing Company, try Edmund Fitzgerald.

 

Sierra Nevada Stout, simple and solid...Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout...I have 3 waiting and really enjoy that brand. As with all styles you just need to taste, also finding singles is a fun way to taste different brands in one sitting.