Beginner Imperial Stout Recommendations

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by BeerGuy8315, Aug 31, 2016.

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  1. BeerGuy8315

    BeerGuy8315 Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2016 Iowa

    Hey guys, I've always been a hoppy IPA/DIPA guy, but I want to start getting into Stouts. Obviously there are some great, highly sought after stouts, but I'm looking for some that are good, readily available, and on the cheaper end of the spectrum. I just want something where I can start to "get used" to the flavors and appreciate the style. Also, I live in MN, so they'd have to be available here in the Midwest. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
     
    #1 BeerGuy8315, Aug 31, 2016
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  2. SFNC

    SFNC Savant (1,211) Apr 7, 2013 North Carolina

    Pull up a seat, this could take a while.
     
    #2 SFNC, Aug 31, 2016
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  3. johnnybgood1999

    johnnybgood1999 Savant (1,000) Oct 31, 2008 Virginia

    If you want to start out real light founders porter is a very meaty and somewhat hoppy porter that could put you on track. Not an imperial, but no lightweight at 6.5% abv.

    Old Rasputin and yeti are actual imperials that have your basic flavors. They weigh in around 9% and aren't overwhelming for the style. Of course, founders breakfast stout is an American double, yet should fit the bill.
     
    #3 johnnybgood1999, Aug 31, 2016
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  4. drunkenmess

    drunkenmess Pooh-Bah (2,668) Mar 27, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Lagunitas Imperial Stout. Cheap and readily available. Also very delicious.
     
    #4 drunkenmess, Aug 31, 2016
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  5. moonbrews

    moonbrews Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2010 Virginia

    New Holland Dragon's Milk
     
    #5 moonbrews, Aug 31, 2016
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  6. Ranbot

    Ranbot Pooh-Bah (2,463) Nov 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    #6 Ranbot, Aug 31, 2016
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  7. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Why do you want to "get into" them?
     
    #7 zid, Aug 31, 2016
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  8. Crim122

    Crim122 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 North Carolina

    I can only tell you what I did, and I jumped right into a can of TEN Fidy. It was agonizing but I loved every moment of it.

    Sounds like they're where I was at. After drinking nothing but IPA/DIPA for years it was time to expand.
     
    #8 Crim122, Aug 31, 2016
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  9. PJ_

    PJ_ Zealot (662) Nov 13, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Traders Joe's - Stockyard

    It's only $7 for the 6pack (here in Ohio) and it's not that bad for what it is.

    Then look for Founder's and Bell's stuff.

    Still going? Move to Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
     
    #9 PJ_, Aug 31, 2016
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  10. BeerGuy8315

    BeerGuy8315 Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2016 Iowa

    I've only ever really drank pale ales, IPAs, and the like and I'm just looking to branch out and try something new. Stouts seem like a fun style to get into with all the variants, etc. The whole cellaring aspect and seeing how flavors develop and change seems kinda interesting too.
     
    #10 BeerGuy8315, Aug 31, 2016
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  11. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    If you've never had a stout and want to start "getting used to" the flavors, I recommend trying some porters and non-imperial stouts first.

    If you'd rather just dive in head first to the imperials, here are some good, affordable, and available starting points:
    Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout
    Great Divide Yeti
    Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
    Sierra Nevada Narwhal
     
    #11 Jacobier10, Aug 31, 2016
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  12. fehrminator

    fehrminator Maven (1,301) Jan 26, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    Founders imperial stout
    Old Rasputin
    Ten fidy
    Brooklyn black chocolate
    Victory Storm King

    Enjoy. You're headed down a very deep and delicious rabbit hole.
     
    #12 fehrminator, Aug 31, 2016
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  13. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Big Sky Ivan The Terrible. Really excellent regional beer, available in Minnesota. Real thick "chewy" beer. I've had a lot of different stouts, and this is one of my favorites.

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 bbtkd, Aug 31, 2016
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  14. StoutElk_92

    StoutElk_92 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,045) Oct 30, 2015 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    North Coast - Old Rasputin
    Founders - Breakfast Stout

    Maybe even a Black Ale/IPA for a smooth hop to stout transition.
     
    #14 StoutElk_92, Aug 31, 2016
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  15. Invinciblejets

    Invinciblejets Pooh-Bah (1,710) Sep 29, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For me it was spiced stouts.
    Like BOMB!, xocoveza..Mexican cake and such that really got me into stouts.
     
    #15 Invinciblejets, Aug 31, 2016
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  16. dcotom

    dcotom Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,637) Aug 4, 2014 Iowa
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you get Tallgrass in your neck of the woods, try Buffalo Sweat and its variants. I also recommend New Holland (MI) The Poet (oatmeal stout) and Breckenridge 72 Imperial (milk stout). Ten FIDY and Lagunitas Imperial Stout, as others have recommended, are excellent. You'd probably like Mikkeller Beer Geek Vanilla Shake, but it's rather expensive compared to most of the other recommendations here. Good luck!
     
    #16 dcotom, Aug 31, 2016
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  17. lester619

    lester619 Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2009 Wisconsin

    A beginner imperial stout is kind of like Cartman's diet double dew from the zip-lining episode.
     
    #17 lester619, Aug 31, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2016
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  18. deford

    deford Pooh-Bah (1,559) Nov 11, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Don't know that I'd start with an "Imperial"....just saying'....maybe something a bit more accessible...
     
    #18 deford, Aug 31, 2016
  19. Junior

    Junior Pooh-Bah (1,883) May 23, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

     
    #19 Junior, Aug 31, 2016
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  20. skleice

    skleice Maven (1,271) Aug 6, 2015 Connecticut

    I agree that Founders Porter would be a great start.
     
    #20 skleice, Aug 31, 2016
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