Ok. I don't know where everyone lives. But, has anyone tried Hawkstone Black? It is a British stout. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame. Is it good? They have so many good stouts in Europe
I did like this at all. Hugely disappointed! To be fair, I don't think I've enjoyed any stout that didn't have the word Imperial in it.
A few years back I had a great conversation with Doug Hasker about our shared love for a good Guinness and how many breweries absolutely butcher stouts. I'm 100% sure this is due to how popular barrel aging and making huge imperials got. A drinkable stout is basically the best beer can taste IMO.
Cross posted on WBAYDN, I will be having at least 6 imperial, barrel aged and non, tonight with my SAN group. But since this is a meeting beer, I’m staying on the lower end. Cheers!
I am having the Alesmith Pace Car Nitro coffee stout. I like it. Very nice flavor and creamy. Can't go wrong with this one
Had two new stouts at Rivertrail Breworks Less Taken - American Stout with notes of express and chocolate Black Forest - American Stout with Raspberries and chocolate both were quite nice
OAT from Propolis Brewing in Port Townsend, Wash.— Stout with wheat, oats, chicory, dandelion, and vanilla. When I first had it in 2022 I wrote “Interesting woodsy aroma. Unusual flavors that add a tang and something green to the usual dark caramel notes. I drank half the beer before I looked at the ingredients. I was not caring much for the herbal and even sourish flavors.” But the stuff is quite drinkable and an interesting complex concoction. But wait— no honey? Dated 07/10/25.
Another great (set of) style that’s been impacted by the haze craze. I love a good lower alcohol (sub 7%) stout. I miss Sierra Nevada stout (on the hoppier side, and I love it). Deschutes Black Butte is fantastic. And I’ll drink a well poured Guinness with the best of them. Hopefully more breweries will start taking a stab at this style again. Let’s re-popularize American Pale Ale as well. Hell, I’ll take a compromise and go with Black IPAs.
Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout, 7% ABV. Pours black with a three-finger light-brown head that left no lacing. Aroma is coffee, light chocolate, and sweet malt. Taste is mostly coffee, roast malt, slightly sweet, equally bitter. Decent mouthfeel, overall very good to excellent adjacent. 3.98/5 rDev +1% look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4 Cleansing my palate with garlic parmesan pretzels between sips. I rate those 4.75
