Yeti Imperial Stout: 7.0 – This stout really has the power behind it, and exemplifies what an Imperial Stout should be. The coffee and lingering taste though are just as great as the initial powerful taste.
Google Shop Average: Yeti Imperial Stout $19 for Sampler 12-Pack
Website: http://greatdivide.com/
Sebago Bourbon Barrel Stout: 4.0 – See the problem I have now when it comes to beers doing specifically bourbon barrel aging is that it’s a misguided attempt (as is the case here), because it just makes the beer too sweet, and not really something you enjoy drinking, but then I remember Allagash when they did their Black in bourbon barrels, and then wonder why everyone else is having such a hard time with it.
Google Shop Average: Sebago Bourbon Barrel Stout $11
Website: http://sebagobrewing.com/
Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout: 4.0 – This again suffers from the classic problem that many beers fall into with barrel aging, in that you don’t really get a nice woody flavor, but a more mellow sweet flavor that overall is really not what you want from the beer. Some have gotten aged beers in bourbon barrels right, but it’s far and few between.
Google Shop Average: Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout $9
Website: https://avbc.com/
Killian’s Irish Stout: 4.0 – Now I am glad that I can get a Killian’s Red Ale in a lot of bars across the country, because it’s a good staple. When I saw this I was excited hoping it would be like Guinness’s Black Lager foray, sadly this is pretty par/subpar for a stout.
Google Shop Average: Killian’s Irish Stout $12 for 6-Pack
Website: http://www.georgekillians.com/
Lion Stout: 4.5 – The price isn’t bad, and in truth the stout isn’t either, it’s just this is a shelf filler, it’s not great, not many people are gonna buy it so that it sells out, and a few people will buy for the lion – but it’s much better at filling a shelf than being a great stout.
Google Shop Average: Lion Stout $6
Website: http://lionbeer.com/
Allagash Bourbon Barrel Black: 8.5 – Continuing this week with amazing beers we get Allagash’s Bourbon Barrel Black which is their Black but aged in Bourbon Barrels. Now when we toured the Allagash brewery they mentioned they were doing this, and our thought was what sexual favours would be the best suited to get us a barrel. But alas we waited, and boy was it worth it. This beer is dark, and unlike other barrel aged beers, it gets it fucken right.
Google Shop Average: Allagash Bourbon Barrel Black $19
Website: http://www.allagash.com/
Jolly Pumpkin Dark Dawn Stout: 5.5 – We’ve always seen Jolly Pumpkin’s offerings at our local store, and never picked them up. I fear it will be a while before we do so again as while this was an okay stout, it was very middling.
Google Shop Average: Jolly Pumpkin Dark Dawn Stout $15
Website: http://www.jollypumpkin.com/
Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout: 7.5 – This is my favorite budget stout. Nothing I know of has as much taste and flavor for a big beer stout that costs as little as this does. I highly recommend picking this up as even regardless of the price it is a damn good stout.
Google Shop Average: Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout $6
Website: http://bearrepublic.com/
Editor’s Note: Apologies for lack of Wine/Spirit review this past weekend – PAX East destroyed me, and I was not able to get an article ready.
Ommegang Take the Black Stout: 5.0 – Much like it’s Blonde Ale made for the Game of Thrones promotion – this stout can be summed up in a single word – inoffensive. While it’s certainly not a bad stout, from Ommegang you are a little disappointed that they couldn’t do something better. Rather than risk a stout which some may like while others hate they took a general approach to appeal to masses – which while I understand, doesn’t leave me pleased about it.
Google Shop Average: Ommegang Take the Black Stout $20
Website: http://www.ommegang.com/
Samuel Adams Cream Stout: 7.0 – To be fair I can only vaguely recall one other ‘cream’ stout that I’ve had, but as far as stout’s go this is supremely drinkable and enjoyable. While it may lack some of the more well developed stout tastes that you get from the bigger beers, this is just a great beer to crack open and enjoy.
Google Shop Average: Samuel Adams Cream Stout $9 for 6-Pack
Website: http://www.samueladams.com/