PNW Stouts

Unfortunately, no. I believe Great Grandfather Raven was last released in 2015--in June, if memory serves--but I think it's only ever been at the taproom for bottles, as distantmantra notes. Kegs do make it out, but they are very limited, and typically only show up for special events.

Since you're headed out to Redmond this weekend, I'd like to respectfully ask you to inquire about the next release yourself, and report your findings right here.

 

Ninkasi Noir is only 7.6%. Really enjoyed that last year and I always love Ninkasi Vanilla Oatis, Fort George Cavatica, Fremont Dark Star, Overcast Espresso, Wild Ride Stand Up and Shout, and Deschutes Obsidian. I'll throw in Dieu du Ciel's Peche Mortel and Aphrodite - I buy it every time I see it (I know it's not PNW, but whatever). For something different, try out Viking Braggot's Fenrir - loved it (also their fruited Oblivion stout series!). Ex Novo's Damon Stoutamire was also quite enjoyable.

 

It's not a stout, but Holy Mountain's Kings Head Double Brown is solid.

 

So long as we're talking Holy Mountain they've made some actual stouts, too, of course. Celestial Lineage and Shadowlifter are both standouts, just sporadic in appearance and not widely available. The same is also true, needless to say, with Midnight Still.

For something more accessible, and outstanding in its own right, Pelican's Tsunami deserves a place here. Reuben's Robust Porter and Imperial Oatmeal Stout also need mentioning. Both of these, I feel, are exemplary within their respective styles. And Reuben's is hoping to start distributing to Eastern WA and Portland early next year, which I humbly submit is good news for our neighbors.

 

Oh, really? Crazy. Could've sworn otherwise. Wonder what I was thinking of, then? Maybe Pumpkin Imperial Sleigh'r?

-- Nathan

 

Why yes. Yes it does.

 

This thread is making me wish more breweries would start bottling/canning these amazing stouts. I end up buying 6 or 7 six-packs of Dark Star just to break up the monotony of drinking the same three stouts in spring and summer .

 

Agreed. While I prefer to support local breweries first, Ten Fidy has long been a go to stout for me not just because it's fantastic, but because it's canned and available in 12 oz. format.

 

Not that I want to take my modest business away from our locals either, but the relative lack of great NW-brewed porters and stouts in a 12 oz. format is the main reason I'm so pleased with the news that Founders will be coming to Seattle (and environs?) next year.

Their Imperial Stout is my favorite Imperial Stout, their Porter is my favorite Porter, and Breakfast Stout is, well, Breakfast Stout. Especially if judging by what comes in 12 oz. containers. If all they sent to our region were these in abundance (and one bottle of CBS to my doorstep the next time they release it), I'd be thrilled.

 

yep. plenty of great stouts in the NW on tap, but much less available in cans/bottles.

my Go-to stouts are Ten Fidy, narwhal, Lagunitas imp stout ($4 for a 24oz!), cavatica, and Base camp S'mores stout

 

Not a stout or a porter, but how many PNW breweries have a brown in cans or bottles? Fremont's Bonfire is the only one I can think of.

 

Sound bottles their Belgian Stout Ursus Spelaeus which is really good. Their Poundage Porter is also really good and bottled also.

 

My classic PNW stout is Pelican Tsunami Stout, though this Fall so far I am enjoying Ex-Novo Damon Stoutamire..i know awesome name LOL

 

I believe Dick Danger Ale is a brown, and that's been in 12oz bottles forever. Locally to me, Orlison has done a light brown lager that managed to pack a surprising amount of flavor into something only 4.2%, but I haven't seen cans of it lately and am wondering if it's been discontinued.

 

I'm a big fan of that beer, and that brewery. They don't get love here on BA but I think they should. Plus the do nice meats at their smokehouse too.

Long-winded story alert, feel free to skip.

Back in probably 2004 or so, I was sitting at the bar at a local brewery on a slow Sunday night in January/February. A guy walks up to the bar, accompanied by a very attractive lady, reaches into his pockets, sets 4 bottles of Danger Ale on the bar and says "here ya go" to the bartender. Tender you can't open them in here. Dude says "no, I tip first, these are yours. My name is Dick, and I made these." He orders a round for his lady and him, we start talking. They were on their way up to Whistler to go skiing, and decided to stop in Bham for the night.

After a few minutes, he asked if I knew any bar in town that was currently pouring his beer, I told him that the Grand Ave Alehouse had Danger on. He asked for directions, and due to Bhams combination of weird streets, intersections, and one-way streets, I told him it would just be easier if he followed me. So, we drive over there, and the scene repeats itself; he walks in hands the bartender 4 bottles of Danger, orders 3 pitchers of Danger, and 2 Scotches for him and his friend. We sit at a table and tells folks that beers are on him. A couple folks joined us for a few minutes, then suddenly Dick's lady friend gives him a glance and a smile, and they were off to head back to their room.

Now, I'm stuck alone at a table with about 2-1/2 pitchers of beer and a couple of barely touched rocks glasses of scotch. I was hung over the next morning. That's the story of the first time I met Dick. RIP buddy.

 

I was at Black Raven on Election Day 2012 and they were doing mixed pours of Wisdom Seeker and Gunpowder Plot. That was tasty in your face.

 

Orlison's Brunette (formerly Ben's Brown, but their marketing consultant told them that sounded too much like doo-doo) is on a limited release schedule these days, like most of their lagers, but their current seasonal ale is a Boulder Garden Brown that pops up here and there in bombers. No-Li's Crony ain't bad for a lighter, somewhat hoppy brown, and always been a fan of Grand Teton's Bitch Creek "extra special brown" (though guess that's not really NW by this forum's definition). Diamond Knot also had a brown in 22s, though haven't noticed it for a while.