Stout Recommendations

It's only available on occasion and only on Nitro, but Voodoo Cowbell is as good as any milk stout/easy drinking stout I have ever come across.. If in Voodoo's footprint... seek it out on draught and you will not be disappointed....

 

I have extras that I hold onto for trades. If you send me a label, I will send you a few different stouts to try.

BM me if interested

 

Lugene is a seasonal, so you'll see it again in January! Cheers!

 

Bells Double Cream stout would be a good one to start with

 

I agree with the oatmeal stout suggestions. Cream stouts are good as well.

One amazing oatmeal stout that I haven't seen mentioned here is Drake's Crude Oatmeal Stout...Erie Brewing Co. It is hands down the best stout, possibly beer, I've ever tasted! I haven't found it down here in NC except that one instance though, so meh...I say keep an eye out for it!! Sam Adams Cream Stout is amazing and actually what I'm sippin' on now.

 

I see you're from Maryland, but if you manage to get your hands on Splitshot from Elysian, it is one of my diehard favorites. A nice blend of espresso and milk stout, I highly recommend the Splitshot.
Anderson Valley's Barney Flats is another good one, and Samuel Smith's Oatmeal is very yummy. I like Old #38 from North Coast too, it's one of my favorites and would definitely be easier to get into than their Old Rasputin (overrated).
Samuel Adam's Cream Stout is always a winner for the price as well. Enjoy

 

Tall Grass Buffalo Sweat if you can ever find it. Just curious, do you enjoy brown ales?

 

Some nice Stout suggestions in this thread. Left hand Stout should be attainable, that's a great starting point. Dragon's milk is also a solid choice as well. If you make it down to NC, give me a shout, there are some real good stouts out our way, also out west if you get a chance Dechutes Black Butte is one of my all time favorites. Good luck.

 

I've just about fallen in love with Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout. I see from your review history that you've tried it and liked it.
I am not sure what you like in a beer though so I can't say. Some are hoppier than others and I also see from your reviews history (not to be a creeper!) that you like your IPAs so what I would do if I where you is ask around for stouts with flavors you like.
Common themes among stouts seem to be coffee, chocolate, barrel aged, and dry to name a couple. Looks to me like you are well into the milder stout styles with a few positive reviews. Now you might pursue that avenue further, there are lots and I like most of the ones I am trying lately too. OR you could go for a different direction. I had a taste of Storm King this weekend and it wasn't bad at all.

I have to say OP that it is really awesome that you are trying so many different things and re-visiting styles. Way to go challenging yourself like that!

(Disclaimer, I don't know much about beer but of all the sorts I've tried various iterations of stouts are my favorite so far)

 

You took the words right out of my mouth. These delicious stouts have wide available and definitely lean toward the sweeter end of the spectrum.

 

I'm hit or miss on Stouts, and I greatly prefer the BA influence. I had a few PT5's and thought it harsh and bitter, the BA version was much better, but I still think BCBS is at the top, as is some of the Eclipse Stouts.

 

Try some Imperial Biscotti Break, if you can get the Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Biscotti Break so much the better, but the regular is outstanding too.

 

The best sweet stout I've had is St. Peter's Cream Stout.

 

I don't think Peche Mortel gets enough credit around here. That may be the best coffee stout made today.....just wish it were cheaper.

 

Some random but likely easily acquired stouts that are excellent:

Any great divide yeti, possibly excepting the Belgian one.
Uinta labyrinth, slept on this one way too long
Mackeson's milk stout! Easy drinking, sweet and creamy

Plus all the others in this thread, tons of great recommendations.

 

Have you tried any milk stouts? Try Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro. Be sure to pour the beer correctly, which means, pour very hard. There are some videos on youtube that demonstrate the correct way to pour this beer. But most nitro beers don't need to be poured this way. Which leads to another question.. have you tried a nitro beer? These are beers that are packed with nitrogen gas. this gives the beer a very creamy texture. and the nitrogen bubbles cascade from the the bottom to the top after poured. it's a really cool effect.

Anyhow... here's a video of someone pouring a Nitro Stout -




I love this beer!

 

I think Breakfast Stout is year-round now. At least, it seems like we've been getting new shipments of it every month in Wisconsin.

 

As others have said, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal stout is a great starting-out point. I just tried Old Rasputin last night and it is definitely delicious--I, for one, thought it met the hype. Two others that might be on your radar are Troeggs' Javahead (not highly rated on this site, but that sometimes doesn't mean much) and Mission Brewery's Dark Seas. Mission's a small(er) brewery in San Diego, but does distribute to Maryland. Also, if you are looking for something local to Maryland, I'd try Heavy Seas Peg Leg Stout.

 

I tried the New Glarus Coffee Stout at a beer fest in Milwaukee. It was actually quite good! Very smooth and just the right amount of coffee taste!

 

Big Gruesome from Spring House. Not sure how close you are to PA, but if you can find some, get it!