The best readily available Stout?

Hm looks like my choice is Ten Fidy and Founder Breakfast Stout

 

Yeti would be #1 for me, Old Raspy a solid #2. Then SN Stout. Founders does a couple of great ones that I would lump in once their range of distribution is larger. I love bible Belt & Bomb, but I know they aren't that widely distributed. Once they come to your state, bring you wallet, not cheap...

 

local brewery in sacramento called Device puts out a damn good Russian Imperial called Brits in Moscow. its available almost everytime ive been to the brewery. I hope alpine Class V becomes more regular with this whole merger Green Flash thing.

 

wow awesome choices

 

one that hasn't been mentioned much: the Czar-avery brewing, one of my favorite breweries for sure

oh and barrel aged insidious-fegley brew works

enjoying a yard's love stout as I type.

and did I mention sam smith's imperial

wolaver's oatmeal

Anderson valley oatmeal

dragonstooth oatmeal

 

10-50

 

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti

 

Based on "readily available", I would have to say Old Raputin (with Sierra Nevada as a back up) since they distribute everywhere.

That is my technical pick to address the original question. Now to go slightly off topic. "Realistically available" (as in the brewery distributes pretty much everywhere, but not necessarily in all stores that sell beer) I would go with Ten Fidy.

My "available value pick" (throwing out the availability of the fore mentioned and the seasonal aspect) is Brookyn Black Chocolate for $8/4

My pick based on "local availability" (sits on shelves in pretty much any store year round and price is not a factor) is Speedway Stout.

 

FBS but ive never tried old rasputin

 

If you can get it...Ipswich Oatmeal Stout

 

Also MBC Mean Old Tom

 

Yeti, Speedway and Ten Fidy

 

FBS and FIS right around the corner in 4-packs.

 

I would second both of these and add Clown Shoes' Undead Party Crasher plus another nod for Old Rasputin because it is deserving of it...

 

Left Hand Milk Stout for me (Normal and Nitro).

Founders Breakfast Stout if it wasn't seasonal.

 

I am going cast my vote for Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.

 

Regular stout - deschutes obsidian
Imperial - ten fidy

 

For an everyday drinker, Sierra Nevada Stout gets my vote as well. For a year-round RIS, I'd go with either Old Rasputin or Dragon's Milk from New Holland.

 

Imperial - Yeti, Ten Fidy and Founder Breakfast Stout
Regular - FW Velvet Merkin, Deschutes - Obsidian

 

I would say it really, really depends on the type of stout that you are talking about because as seen in the responses the styles are all over the place. Hard to go wrong with an OB Ten Fidy, Great Divide Yeti or NC Old Rasputin but if you are in the mood for the lighter stouts then a Left Hand or Guinness. Bell's, Avery & Founders also make some great stouts as well as Deschutes Obsidian.