Stout Suggestions

If you're looking for a big stout, try Sierra Nevada's Narwhal. A lot of IPA guys like it and it's also my all-time favorite beer. (Even though I'm definitely not an IPA guy.)

 

I second everyone on Founders Breakfast Stout. It tastes even better if you can find the label with the baby on it (it used to be brewed with real pieces of babies before Michigan declared the practice illegal).

 

You sure that isn't prune juice?

 

what an odd thing to say

 

ALL OF THEM.

But seriously:
Young's Double Chocolate Stout
FBS
ST Choklat
Sam Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout
Old Rasputin
Ten FIDY
Yeti (any one will do)
Imperial Biscotti Break (or anything from Evil Twin)

 

I second this. All of it. Don't be afraid of the Narwhal - EMBRACE THE NARWHAL. Also, there's nothing wrong with Guinness. It's a great beer for the stout novice, and I still enjoy it myself.

 

It appears to be milk stout at the Rovers Return Inn snug.

 

I'd start with an oatmeal stout, something like velvet merlin if you get it in your area

 

I think it's a little crazy all the suggestions for big imperial stouts as a segway into stouts, I feel these would be way aggressive for someone who hasn't really had much of the style. For me, left hand milk stout nitro showed me the light and it's my suggestion for a go to starter stout

 

Just had my first 2015 narhwal. Hnnngggg. Get some now OP.

Imperial stouts tend to to be more hoppy than milk stouts so they're a better segway from IPAs (which the OP mentioned) imo. The OP may want to try some of the more roasty black IPAs to bridge the gap first.

 

Dark beer is the drink of the common man. Was it not the combination of stout and pilsner that was called porter so a less wealthy person could imbibe in something not so dark. Also the Mackeson ad is from the 50's.

" Throughout the 50s and 60s the nearest most drinkers got to a pint of porter was the sight of the word engraved on the windows or sculptured on the stonework of traditional pubs."


http://www.realbeer.com/library/authors/tierney-jones-a/portersandstouts.php

 

Random question, does anyone know if Alesmith's Speedway stout readily available in Chicago/suburbs at all?

 

I think you have seen a lot of the same popping up in the responses so I would say give any of those a try. Personally some of my Favorites are Expedition, Left Hand Milk Stout, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Narwhal, and Sam Smith's.

 

Oddly enough I have been shocked at what the availability is within a 200 mile radius in the same state. Went from Cincy to Columbus and found a ton of brew not available here, then from there went past Mansfield and found even more. My suggestion would be examine the local distributors at the stores that have a big selection (google is your friend) and check the distributors in the area as well. A good establishment will email you back.

Cheers