Beginner Imperial Stout Recommendations

Bomb! From Prairie Artisan Ales! Drink it and love it!

Honestly, there is no beginner imperial stouts. Use beer advocate to check out some reviews, pick some stouts, and have at it. You'll either be into them or you won't.

 

Mexican Cake got you into Stouts? Hehe. That sounds just like something someone from South Carolina would say. Just like Darklord got me into Stouts.

 

That sounds like somthing someone would say about somthing.

 

All of these should be readily available:

Founders Imperial Stout
Stone Imperial Russian Stout
Bell's Expedition

A cost effective option is Lagunitas Imperial Stout which is almost as good as the beers listed above but super cheap (as Impy Stouts go).

One more: Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout is not technically an Impy Stout but it is certainly bigger than a standard stout. It might be a good intro.

 

On more suggestion:
Don't start with barrel-aged stouts. Try some non-barrel aged Impy Stouts first to get a feel for the style before diving into the barrel aged stuff.

 

For availability, price and accessibility flavorwise I'd say try Samuel Smith's and if you like that move onto Old Rasputin. That's sort of the progression that I made, for what it's worth. Cheers and happy style exploring!

 

Does Central Waters distribute to Minnesota? If yes, that is the answer. My favorite stout brewery and is not even close!

 

Just jump right in with the 2016 Ten FIDY in a few weeks

 

Geez where to begin. I would have to say Founders Breakfast Stout (I always make sure I have some in the fridge). From there the options are endless.

 

I must compliment you're taste in beers. Also I'd have to add Victory at Sea from Ballast Point and Founder's Breakfast Stout.

 

Oops. Overlooked that part. FBS is where I started with craft beer. I will always love that one. Of course KBS and CBS are outstanding as well.

 

I'd start with Dark Lord

 

Old Rasputin

 

I had a FBS last night bottled on 8/25, LOTS of coffee. More than I've had in one. I reckon because of its freshness. OP if you like coffee, seek this out.

 

Do you have any good tap houses near you? My recommendation would be to go and get a flight of different stouts and a couple porters and find out what you like and dislike. Maybe they have some different styles like barrel aged or with adjuncts like coffee. If you lived here, I would point you towards Hop Cat,but not sure they have a MN location yet.

As for stout recommendations
Founders- Imeperial, Breakfast, KBS (hard to find, but if you get into the style, message me and we can probably work something out.)

Bells- expedition stout (this can age forever), cream stout

Dark horse- plead the 5th, Too cream stout,tres bluberry (not a fan,but some like it.) And fore smoked stout

Stone-IRS, xocoveza

Too many others to mention, but that gives you some ideas to get some variety. Some great porters to try would be Founders, Smuttynose, Greatlakes Edmund fitz, and Deschuttes-Black Butte

 

Sierra Nevada...Narwhal...That's what got me started

 

Recommend Chocolate Stout. Not to difficult to brew from all grain. Many recipes online. Its great.

 

Prairie bomb if you can find it