Best stout

Draught or canned or in a bottle?

John Hermo wrote in news:431baf85$0$22712$ snipped-for-privacy@freenews.cybernetik.net:

I've become very partial to Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout. Props to Dan Iwerks for suggesting this to me a few months back. I can get it locally in bottles but it is much, much better on tap at the brewpub.

DB

Doppelbock sings of arms, the man, and Usenet news:Xns96C95734EE961doppelbocyahoocom@207.115.63.158:

STOP DRINKING THINGS I CAN'T GET ANYMORE. Bastard.

There are many best stouts. Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Dominion Oak Barrel, Rogue Shakespeare, Victory Storm King (OK, the 2004 sucked, but I'm an optimist about the pending 2005), Bear Republic Big Black Bear Stout, DFH World Wide Stout, or whatever else I've got handy at the time.

My favorite : Bells Java Stout.

Others worth mentioning :

Youngs Double Chocolate

Rouge Shakespeare

O'Hara's Irish Stout

I almost forgot. My second best favorite. Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

My favorite stouts in the 6% ABV range are: Ipswich Oatmeal Stout, Rogue Shakespeare Stout, Grant's Imperial Stout, and Marin Brewing's San Quentin Breakout Stout.

My favorite imperial stouts are: Victory's Storm King, Weyerbacher's Old Heathen, Rogue's Imperial Stout, and Bell's Expedition Stout.

So many to choose from.....

Dogfish Head Chicory Stout is pretty good stuff on a cold winter day at their brewpub in Rehoboth.

Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout is rich with flavor, so much so that it is best enjoyed slowly.

I have had two bottles of Shakespeare recently from different retailrs and presumably distributors since they are over 100 miles apart, and both were okay, but seemed to be pretty bland. That may reflext my preference for strong malt flavor, it was a bit balanced for my taste.

Years ago I was quite fond of Old Australian Stout, but I haven't seen this stuff in years ad am not sure it is distributed, or even brewed, any more. I'd love to try it again, since my tastes have matured since then. I recall liking Sheaf Stout almost as much, but havn't seen that in a while either.

They used to sell 25 oz. bottles of Old Australia Stout at Trader Joe's for something like a dollar a bottle. I remember it having a high alcohol content and extremely unrefined tastes, lots of sweetness that didn't seem malty in origin. Like a dark malt liquor, I guess. It's been four or five years since I've seen it.

I used to really like the Sheaf as well. I haven't seen in Kansas for a long time either. There aren't many options left for sweet stout any more. I used to drink Mackeson as well, but the last time I checked, it was made in Cincinnati, and that just doesn't seem right.

----------------------------------------------------- Pete Clouston Lawrence (KS) Brewers Guild

homebrewspam@sunflowerdotcom (p. clouston) responded:

Mackeson was a bit sweeter as I recall, but I liked it just fine. What about Dragon Stout? That was a decent sweet stout, as I recall. Man, I haven't had ANY of these beers in a long time...

"Kenji" :responded

Used to? I have a Trader Joe's not too far away that I've never been to... It might be time to check it out, I guess.

Really? Though I admit "I was younger then", that really doesn't sound like the same stuff... Everything tasted malty, and I don't recall it being overly sweet, just not as dry as a typical stout, and not quite as soft as an oatmeal stout or cream stout.

I'd hate to think it's gone now, as even if it ISN'T a great beer, I'd like to try it again and find out for myself.

BTW, RateABeer.com has recent ratings for both beers, so maybe they ARE still out there somewhere:

For completeness, here are the other two:

I tried the US-brewed Mackeson a few months ago, and it was good as I remembered it, if not better.

I'd drink it again too. Partly for old times' sake; also I think there's a place for coarse beers like that.