I had a wonderful impromptu stout tasting last night with Aaron Hyde, owner and operator of Brewstock, New Orleans’ best and brightest homebrew shop. We kicked through five interesting ales (stouts are ales) and the tasting notes are below.
Great Divide Brewing Co.: Yeti Imperial Stout
This beer has BIG chocolate notes at the front and in the nose, and that pleasant beginning is followed by hints of vanilla, burnt caramel and delicious mouthfeel because of a full bodied finish. It keeps it’s great cocoa colored head all the way down. A very tasty and rich classic American stout.
The Saint Louis Brewery: Schlafly Oatmeal Stout
This beer left a bit lacking for both Aaron and I. It is a bit one dimensional for an oatmeal stout. Almost too much coffee and acid flavor that left you with a tart bite that was a bit unpleasant. Aaron believes this is from the roast barley; I’m not sure what it is from but it was not all too pleasant. The oats seem to be lost in the equation. Generally, I expect a bigger body in an oatmeal stout, and the mouthfeel was just off. It didn’t have that creaminess that most oatmeal stouts deliver.
North Coast Bewing Co.: Old No.38 Stout
This was a new beer for both of us and it was a very pleasant surprise. There was deep complexity to the flavor which developed as it warmed. Think caramel, sour dough and biscuit throughout- topped off with whiffs of chocolate, toffee and dark coffee. The blend of flavors was brilliantly roasty, but without being overbearing on the coffee notes. It finished clean and dry; overall this was a very pleasant stout. If you can find it, give it a try.
The Brooklyn Brewery: Black Chocolate Stout
This has been one of my favorite beers since my first sip in the Squirrel Cage (What’s up Pittsburgh?) I can’t keep from savoring each sip of this dark beauty.
According to Aaron, “It is a classic example of a big American Stout that drinks clean and smooth with great head retention. The dark chocolate finish is almost like sipping on an expensive dark chocolate candy bar. The alcohol is tucked away perfectly and begins to add some warmth to the finish as beer as it warms. Not as much roast or tannin quality as other big stouts as the chocolate character is the focal point.”
Bluegrass Brewing Co.: Bourbon Barrel Stout
We both agreed that this is one of the safest Bourbon Barrel Stouts we’ve had. It was enjoyable but not memorable. The vanilla notes from the barrel are subtle. The body was medium for a stout and the mouthfeel was not quite as big as one would hope. It did get the job done. I think this is a good introduction to bourbon barrel stouts, but not really a great pick for someone who is really into bigger or darker beers.
