Help me find Stouts I'll enjoy

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by SeanBond, Jan 31, 2014.

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  1. SeanBond

    SeanBond Pooh-Bah (2,904) Jul 30, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So stouts are kinda popular, and everybody seems to be barrel-aging them, or putting weird crap in them these days (much like the trend of turning every ale into an IPA of some sort). I'm primarily an IPA (DIPA, to be specific) guy, but I do drink my share of stouts when possible, which is where my curiosity comes in.

    I arrived a little late to the stout game, and so have had to play a furious game of catch up. I'm trying to make a mental catalog of the types of stouts I like, and those I don't like quite as much. How would you guys categorize the big stouts, and would you recommend in each category? I'll give an example:

    Stout type I don't love: Coffee stouts. I've had FBS, think it's a great beer for what it's trying to do, but I don't care for it too much. As coffee stouts go, my favorite so far has been BCBCS, and Big Hugs (Half Acre) was pretty decent too. I tend to like my coffee stouts a little thicker and sweeter.

    Stout type that has potential: Oatmeal stouts. I've only had Velvet Merkin and Cthulhu, but both were pretty phenomenal. Not quick as thick as I prefer, but very clean and creamy.

    Stout type I just don't know enough about: Non-BA RIS: I think Darkness is phenomenal; is there anything comparable in terms of taste? I've got FIS at home (haven't had it yet), and think Stone's RIS is pretty excellent too. But I don't know exactly what types of taste to expect from this category, since they can taste a million different ways.

    Stout type I love: Barrel-aged (controversial pick, I know). I've had BCBS the last 2 years, all the variants this year, have had some stuff by Pipeworks, and a couple more. I'm hoping to grab a Parabola or two when they're released, and the Abyss towards the end of the year, but after that, I'm not sure what I should be looking for.

    ****************

    I know this was long-winded and meandering, but whatever info/tastes/opinions people want to offer, I'm looking forward to seeing. I try not to let Beer Advocate inform too much of how I drink, but everyone here has access to their region's own unique beers and tastes, so I like to get an outside view.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 SeanBond, Jan 31, 2014
  2. markdrinksbeer

    markdrinksbeer Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2013 Massachusetts

    So you dont love coffee stouts, but BCBCS is your favorite?

    I might be too confused to continue on with suggesting stouts at this point.
     
    #2 markdrinksbeer, Jan 31, 2014
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  3. AlienSwineFlu

    AlienSwineFlu Savant (1,135) Dec 14, 2012 Ohio

    Vanilla stouts FTW.
     
    #3 AlienSwineFlu, Jan 31, 2014
  4. Whatdyisit

    Whatdyisit Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2010 California

    Check out milk stouts also.
     
    #4 Whatdyisit, Jan 31, 2014
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  5. BH712

    BH712 Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2014 District of Columbia

    I noticed you didn't mention milk/sweet stouts. Have you tried those? Some good examples:
    Left Hand MS
    Duck Rabbit MS
    Perennial Fantastic Voyage
    Sam Adams CS
    Southern Tier Creme Brulee
     
    #5 BH712, Jan 31, 2014
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  6. SeanBond

    SeanBond Pooh-Bah (2,904) Jul 30, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I said I didn't love coffee stouts, but BCBCS has been my favorite so far. Sorry if I didn't make that super clear.
     
    #6 SeanBond, Jan 31, 2014
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  7. dcbullet

    dcbullet Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2013 California

    If you like Velvet Merkin, then try Velvet Merlin.

    Give Old Resputin a try.
     
    #7 dcbullet, Jan 31, 2014
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  8. SeanBond

    SeanBond Pooh-Bah (2,904) Jul 30, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've had Creme Brulee, which I did forget to mention. I'll check out those others though, since I've had very little in this category.
     
    #8 SeanBond, Jan 31, 2014
  9. creepinjeeper

    creepinjeeper Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 Missouri

    An excellent oatmeal stout is 3 Floyds Backmasking.
    .
     
    #9 creepinjeeper, Jan 31, 2014
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  10. Donco

    Donco Pooh-Bah (1,639) Aug 12, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Additional RIS (that you didn't mention):
    Sierra Nevada Narwhal
    Great Lakes Blackout Stout
    North Coast Old Rasputin
    Oskar Blues Ten Fidy

    For barrel-aged:
    Clown Shoes Very Angry Beast
    Clown Shoes Hammer of the Holy (Rum barrel aged)
     
    #10 Donco, Jan 31, 2014
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  11. Tayloraphilips

    Tayloraphilips Initiate (0) Aug 9, 2013 Texas

    TEN FIDY by Oskar Blues
    Not coffee forward and is brewed with oats to give it a huge viscous and full mouthfeel with supreme balance.
     
    #11 Tayloraphilips, Jan 31, 2014
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  12. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    Samuel Smith's Oatmeal and Organic Chocolate stouts are superb.
     
    #12 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Jan 31, 2014
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  13. markdrinksbeer

    markdrinksbeer Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2013 Massachusetts

    I fully agree with these. all very delicious, especially the clown shoes hammer of the holy.
     
    #13 markdrinksbeer, Jan 31, 2014
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  14. SeanBond

    SeanBond Pooh-Bah (2,904) Jul 30, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good point! I've tried the chocolate one, but not the oatmeal. Will check that out.
     
    #14 SeanBond, Jan 31, 2014
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  15. markdrinksbeer

    markdrinksbeer Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2013 Massachusetts

    Being a fan of (d)ipa's, i would try Victory Storm King. A RIS that is very hoppy.
     
    #15 markdrinksbeer, Jan 31, 2014
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  16. BH712

    BH712 Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2014 District of Columbia

    Also: Boulevard Dark Truth
     
    #16 BH712, Jan 31, 2014
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  17. Rob315

    Rob315 Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2010 Kentucky

    Id' try:
    B.O.R.I.S the crusher
    Oat- Southern Tier
    Lancaster Milk Stout
    Great Divide Yeti and all its variants
    Old Rasputin
    Founders Imperial Stout

    BA:
    KBS
    Old Rasputin- even though its pricey for a 500ml
    BA B.O.R.I.S.
     
    #17 Rob315, Jan 31, 2014
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  18. Cubatobaco

    Cubatobaco Pooh-Bah (2,057) Jan 27, 2013 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    ^^^^ Beat me to it

    Founders Imperial Stout
     
    #18 Cubatobaco, Jan 31, 2014
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  19. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    If you don't like coffee stouts, it's probably because you don't like coffee.

    It seems like you've stuck to a lot of "high end" stouts. Also, the only oatmeal stouts you listed were barrel aged. There are many easily obtainable stouts out there to try, many of which I buy regularly:

    SN Narwhal
    Ted Fidy
    Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
    Old Rasputin

    Also, FIS and Stone RIS are probably my two favorite RIS
     
    #19 willbm3, Jan 31, 2014
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  20. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    If you've had BCBS and the variants your already on the top shelf.
     
    #20 nc41, Jan 31, 2014
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