Beginner Stouts

North Coast Old No. 38 or their Old Rasputin

 

Showing my age here, but Mackeson was the first one that really grabbed me. I'd say Old Rasputin is a good place to start. And I don't think it's a bad idea to start with a porter if you want to take baby steps into the big imperial stouts.

 

Left Hand Milk Stout was the one that drew me in. A good starter. Always available, affordable, highly drinkable, and won't **** your taste buds.

 

I agree. This was a great porter. Full flavored but not too heavy. Very easy to drink. I usually like to do mixed 6 packs when I buy my beer, but I ended up going back and buying a 6 pack of just this because it was so good. If you can get (or trade for) Revolution's Eugene Porter, try this too. FBS is an amazing beer, but it's heavier than other stouts/porters so you may want to work your way up.

 

IMHO Old Rasputin, Great Lakes Blackout, Deschutes Obsidian, Let Hand Milk Stout Nitro, Duck Rabbit Milk Stout, and Bell's Double Cream Stout. Dark Horse One isnt bad either. Those are the most approachable stouts, and none are too much.

 

Samuel Smith Chocolate stout

 

Founders Breakfast stout started it for me. Also Magic Hat's - heart of darkness.

 

Left Handed Milk Stout Nitro.

 

Old Rasputin and Samuel Smith Chocolate Stout were gateway drugs and easily available at the local Trader Joes. When a friend introduced to me to Bourbon County that's when I got serious.

 

if you give the guy youngs double chocolate he might gag like i did. its watery shit juice. foreeal. i think if you try something a little more complex, something with a full bodied flavor you might just love stouts forever. forever. FOR EVVV ERRRRRR

 

Bells double cream is a good choice. It isn't as roasted and malty as most stouts but still very good. My wife hates stouts but she even liked it.

 

Start with a Porter. Founders Porter to be exact. if you like it, take a crake at a Founders Breakfast Stout

 

Do you want to scar the man? Old Rasputin is harsh. Even now, with all the RIS's I've had, I still find OR harsh.

 

Im at a loss for words here. I think you are the 1st person to ever say that about OR.

Cheers!

 

Really? I can't be the only one who finds Old Raspy harsh. I like it, but it's hard to get down once it warms.

 

The OP asked for beginner stouts to get his feet wet and some of you guys are recommending huge stouts like KBS, Yeti, Stone IRS, Boris the Crusher, etc??? Do you guys not understand that not everyone's palate is ready for such big beers from the beginning? Sure, there are some exceptions, but I can tell you the majority of people starting out can't handle such big beers in the beginning. It's always smarter to start small and work your way up as you develop your palate.

Why the need to rush the experience?

 

Samuel smith oatmeal stout is a good one. If you haven't tried many porters you should try thier taddy porter, deschutes black butte, and anchor porter. All very good and similar to stouts. Stouts and porters are pretty much the same thing

There are much heavier stouts you can try as well if you like big beers, like victory at sea, abyss (not as easy to get), and black butte anniversary porters.


This list is based on the assumption that you are on the west coast

 

yep x 2

 

There is no reason to avoid any stout. Look for some with high ratings. Just keep in mind that there are beers known as Imperial Stouts and Russian Imperial Stouts that are going have stronger flavors and more alcohol.