Stout Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

There are a variety of options available for purchasing stout beer. Online retailers such as Craftshack, Drizly, and Total Wine & More offer a range of stout beers that can be purchased and delivered directly to your doorstep. Alternatively, you can visit local bars, restaurants, taprooms, beer stores, liquor stores, or bottle shops to find a selection of stouts and porters near you. Websites like BeerMenus can help you locate specific stout beers, like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout and Guinness Milk Stout, that are available at establishments in your area.

Online beer shops

CraftShack

CraftShack is an online marketplace that connects beer enthusiasts with smaller, craft-centric bottle shops. They offer a wide range of craft beers, including stout, and provide flat-rate shipping to most states in the US. Their website also features customer reviews and ratings, making it easier for you to choose the perfect brew.

Drizly

Drizly is another online retailer that offers a selection of stout beers. They provide easy ordering and fast delivery, making it convenient for customers to shop for their favourite stout beers.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More is an online store that offers a variety of stout beers, including well-known brands such as Guinness and Samuel Smith's. They also provide deals and discounts, allowing customers to save money on their purchases.

Half Time

Half Time is the ultimate virtual bottle shop, offering one of the largest selections of beer and cider. You can order as little as a single can or as much as a case, and they ship to most states in the US. Their platform makes it easy to check if shipping is available to your location.

Brewvana

Brewvana is a unique online beer retailer that curates craft beer selections from different cities across America. Their Brews Less Traveled Beer Club offers a travelling beer box subscription, bringing you local brews from a new city each month. They also create special holiday beer boxes for occasions like Hanukkah and Christmas.

These online beer shops provide a convenient and accessible way to purchase stout beer, offering a wide range of options delivered right to your doorstep.

Local liquor stores

When visiting your local liquor store, you'll likely find a wide variety of stout beers to choose from. You can ask the staff at the store for recommendations if you're unsure of what to buy, or if you're looking for something new to try.

If you're looking for a classic stout, Guinness is always a good option. You can often find Guinness Draught in cans or bottles, but it's also worth trying fresh from the tap if you can find it. Guinness Extra Stout is another option, which is the original version of the iconic brew and has a stronger malt flavor.

In addition to Guinness, there are several other well-known brands of stout that you can look out for. These include:

• Deschutes Obsidian Stout (a classic American stout)
• Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro (a creamy milk stout)
• North Coast Old Rasputin (a well-balanced Russian Imperial stout)
• Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (a traditional English stout)
• Founders Breakfast Stout
• Young's Double Chocolate Stout
• Bell's Brewery Special Double Cream Stout
• Prairie Artisan Ales (including the popular Prairie Bomb!)

However, don't be afraid to branch out and try some less well-known brands, or even some local craft stouts. You may discover some hidden gems that you'll want to keep going back to!

When choosing a stout, it's worth considering the different types and their unique characteristics. For example, Imperial stouts have strong notes of chocolate and hazelnut, while Milk stouts are sweeter due to the lactose. Oatmeal stouts are known for their creaminess, and Dry stouts have a bitter taste with slight notes of coffee and chocolate.

So, the next time you're looking to buy some stout beer, why not visit your local liquor store and see what treasures you can find? You may just discover your new favorite drink!

Irish pubs

The Brazen Head

The Brazen Head in Dublin is one of Ireland's oldest pubs, dating back to 1198. It has been serving alcohol since before official licensing laws were introduced in 1635.

Man O'War

Established around 1595, Man O'War is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. Its name is a translation from the Irish word "bharr", meaning "middle height", due to its elevated location on the old road between Dublin and Belfast.

The Hole in the Wall

The Hole in the Wall is Europe's longest public house, with 100 metres of pub hugging the exterior wall of the 1700-acre Phoenix Park. It started as a medieval coaching inn in 1651.

The Long Hall

The Long Hall is a jewel among Dublin's Victorian pubs, originally established in 1766.

The Stag's Head

A traditional Irish pub in Dublin's city centre, the Stag's Head offers traditional Irish music and food, along with a rich history.

Mulligans of Poolbeg Street

Mulligans describe themselves as a "no-nonsense 18th-century pub with a cast of regulars and a lack of modern pomposity".

Johnnie Fox's

Established in 1798, Johnnie Fox's is Ireland's highest pub. Along with Guinness pie, they offer slow-cooked lamb shank.

Kehoe's

An award-winning traditional Irish pub in the heart of Dublin, Kehoe's was first licensed in 1803. It is known for its stained glass mahogany doors, old Irish snugs, and partitions.

Slattery's

Slattery's is a favourite among locals and has been frequented by some of Ireland's music and movie legends.

The Palace Bar

The Palace Bar on Fleet Street in Dublin's city centre was described by Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh as the "most wonderful temple of art".

In addition to these historic pubs, there are several breweries in Ireland that offer tours and tastings, such as the Guinness Storehouse and Hilden Brewery.

Craft breweries

CraftShack, for example, offers a wide variety of stouts, including:

• Imperial/Double Pastry stouts, such as the Epicurean Trader Prairie Peanut Butter Weekend Stout, with marshmallow, cacao, coconut, and peanut butter roasted coffee.
• Imperial/Double stouts, such as the Epicurean Trader Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout, with a flavour likened to dark chocolate Reese's in a glass.
• Milk/Sweet stouts, such as the Epicurean Trader Dokkaebier Milk Stout, with the complexity of well-roasted single-origin coffee.
• Irish Dry stouts, such as the Epicurean Trader Evil Twin Even More Irish Jesus Irish Dry Stout.
• Imperial/Double Coffee stouts, such as the Perennial Vietnamese Abraxas Imperial Stout, with barrel-aged ancho chilis, cacao nibs, Saigon cinnamon, Indonesian vanilla beans, and Vietnamese coffee.

Beers of Europe offers a selection of over 124 different types of stouts, including:

• Dry/Irish stouts, such as Guinness Extra Foreign Stout.
• Extra/Foreign/Tropical stouts, such as Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
• Flavoured/Pastry stouts, such as The Garden/BBOP Fermentory Imperial Coffee and Coconut Stout.
• Imperial stouts, such as Fuller's Black Cab Stout.
• Imperial Flavoured/Pastry stouts, such as The Garden/La Pirata Imperial Chocolate Carob and Blackberry Stout.

Heaton Hops offers a selection of the best modern stouts from some of the finest independent craft breweries, including:

• Marble Beers' Marble Stout.
• The Beak Brewery's Coco Imperial Stout.
• Lakes Brew Co's What's The Buzz Imperial Stout.
• O'Hara's Brewery's O'Hara's Nitro Irish Stout.
• Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout.

Beer aisles in supermarkets

• Variety of Beers: The beer aisle in a supermarket typically offers a range of different beers, including lagers, ales, stouts, and craft beers. You can find local and international brands, as well as different types of stout, such as Irish dry stout, American imperial stout, milk stout, and Russian imperial stout.
• Packaging Options: Beers in the supermarket aisle are usually available in different packaging options, such as bottles, cans, and cardboard 6-packs. Some supermarkets also offer larger cases of beer for those who need to stock up or are planning a party.
• In-Store Promotions: Keep an eye out for in-store promotions and special offers in the beer aisle. Sometimes, supermarkets feature end-of-aisle displays or special sections with discounts or multi-buy offers on selected beer brands.
• Online Shopping: Many supermarkets also offer online shopping and delivery services, making it convenient to purchase beer without having to visit the store. This can be especially useful for stocking up on heavy cases of beer or when looking for a specific brand.
• Regional Availability: The selection of beers in the beer aisle can vary depending on your region or country. For example, British supermarkets often have a wide range of local and imported beers, while American supermarkets may feature a broader selection of craft beers.
• Staff Assistance: If you need help finding a particular type of beer or have questions about a specific product, don't hesitate to ask the supermarket staff. They can guide you through the beer aisle and provide recommendations or additional information.

So, the next time you're looking to buy stout beer or any other variety, remember to explore the beer aisle in your local supermarket. With a diverse range of options and convenient shopping experiences, you're sure to find something to suit your taste!

Frequently asked questions