Stout Suggestions

Victory Storm King. Hoppy stout. Boom goes the dynamite!

 

Black Bear from Bear Republic

 

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout is a great place to start. A classic representation of how the style was before Americans went crazy with it. Next move onto Old Rasputin, and after that, look for Founders Breakfast Stout, Ten Fidy, Founders Imperial Stout and Bells Expedition. All great beers. After that, there's the barrel aged stuff, which I have decidedly mixed feelings about.

I also love Storm King, but is so hoppy that I consider it more a black IPA than a stout. Cheers!

 

I think Old Rasputin is a great intro beer. It is affordable and easily accessible.

I personally enjoy Bell's expedition stout as well.

However, if you can get your hands on a bottle of Bourbon County Brand Stout... this is a life-changing beer for stouts. My father hates stout, but once he tried a bottle, he started loving and buying more stouts.

 

Ten Fidy is the best most available stout there is... Wonderful

 

Left hand milk stout, it was my intro to stouts and definitely a good place to start. Then I would move on to ten fidy, fis, or old Rasputin.

 

Ok, here you go. "Old Heathen" by Weyerbacher. "Old Rasputin" by North Coast. "Breakfast Stout" by Founders. "Smaug Stout" by Fish Brewing, (I'm not joking, it is really pretty good). "Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout" by Tadcaster and "Love Stout" by Yards

 

From what I can get here I'd say Speedway Stout by ale smith. I lean towards BA stuff, but this one is most excellent.

 

Since you're a big IPA fan, my first thought was "How much have you explored the American Black Ale (Black IPA) style?" A really good example can be a "best of both worlds" option.

Assuming you've been there and done that, I agree with ALL of the stouts already recommended above. I would add Green Flash Double Stout -- as I recall that was a more hop-forward double stout. Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2015 Classic Release) would be a good one too.

 

Yeah, if you want to start on the easier side, Left Hand stout is hard to beat and won't punish with sweetness.
I'll also throw in cutthroat porter (Odell) if you're looking to explore the dark, roasty side of beer without getting hammered after one beer (like imperials, and such). Start slow, work your way up. Have fun. *hiccup*

 

Victory at Sea, though not a stout on paper, is an excellent beer that can stand with many of the top imperial stouts.

 

Dang - still need to V@Sea. Sounds great...

 

Evil Twin Yin is pretty good

 

Great Divide Yeti's are pretty good and I agree on Victory at Sea. Elysian puts out some good stouts too

 

Try Sierra Nevada's version. It's on the hoppy side, reasonably priced and you'll have no problem finding it wherever you are.

 

So many good ones mentioned and I will throw Obsidian Stout by Deschutes into the mix.

 

I'm an IPA fan. So when I lean to stouts I prefer a barrel influence and I love coffee. Coffee gives it that little twist of bitter that an IPA can get into. Founders Breakfast would be ideal, but it's kinda seasonal they brew a shit ton. Right now there isn't much on the shelf, but Alesmith , but it's as good as it gets, but a bit pricy too because it's a bomber/25oz.

Add on Kalamazoo Stout too, love it.

What I don't care for is Milk Stouts.

 

As an introduction, Left Hand Milk Stout, and Obsidian Stout are reasonable ABV stouts that can ease you into the style.