Best year around shelf stouts.

Same thing in my area.

 

same here - maybe the $15 price point, but it's absolutely fantastic.

 

I agree! I think its $17 here. I have one in the cellar alongside many other stouts, but seem to drink them more often. I bet if they limited it, I'd be singing another song...lol.

 

Yeah, it's a fantastic beer, even for the money. I wouldn't pay much more, but it's damn good, and readily available here…so i'll take it.

 

Damn, I was going to mention Dragon's Milk.

 

I remember that from when I lived in Maine. It is good.

 

Actually, Brau Brothers Moo Joos Oatmeal Milk Stout is also excellent.

 

I've got to echo the calls for Ten Fidy.

 

Ten Fidy's price makes it a year round beer.

 

Is Prairie Bomb a year-round beer... or bible belt? They are phenomenal!

 

THIS. This beer is what turned me onto stouts! Tried and True.

 

Same thing in Wisco. Barrel-aged DORIS, too. Folks here don't really like to go above $12-13 a bomber. Alesmith Speedway sells out, just about everything else that's in that $14-40 price range sticks around.

Speaking of Alesmith Speedway, pick up a bottle if you get it where you are. Pretty delicous.

 

Ba old Rasputin, founders imp. Stout & bells expo stout. Lots of good choices these days!

 

What about Guinness (foreign export of course)

 

OP is in California so he won't be buying any Kzoo stout anytime soon.

Absolutely one of my favorite non-imperial American stouts. Everything a stout should be and nothing it should't.

Recently found 4-packs for $9.99 at a local 7-11 but even at the regular price of around $15/4-pack its a much better deal than a single $10+ bomber of any other stout.

And to the OP, I would say: Don't get hung up on just drinking stouts, explore porters as well. One breweries stout is another breweries porter and at this point, there really is no discernible difference between 'stouts' and 'porters' other than what the brewer decides to call them. So, go ahead and pick up some Deschutes Black Butte, often on sale for $8/6-pack, and have yourself a grand ol' time.

 

Ale smith speedway stout though not 100% sure it is year round.

 

Normally, I'm that guy that goes right to Imperial stouts when asked this sort of question. But it looks like this ground has been well covered. What of milder, easier drinking stouts?

Sierra Nevada Stout is an overlooked classic that you should have no problem obtaining. Deschutes Obsidian would be next on the list. I'm not sure about distribution to California, but Finch's Secret Stache is my other favorite this time of year. Get it as fresh as you can, however. Magic Hat Heart of Darkness is also a tasty beer.

I agree with @Kinsman above that if you're looking for "everyday" stouts (i.e. not Imperials), then porters really deserve consideration. In which case, start with Anchor Porter. Stone cold classic. From there, go to Black Butte, and (if you can get it) Founders Porter. If available, the English takes on the style, especially Fullers Porter and Samuel Smith Taddy Porter are worth having.

You really should be drinking as much Deschutes as you can. Perhaps the grass is greener on the other side, but I go nuts for it every time I'm on the West Coast. Everybody will go on and on about Firestone Walker and Alesmith, which is all fine and good, but I'd rather have ready access to Deschutes in my part of the country.

 

Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat. Tasty