TOP 10 STOUTS FROM THE WEST COAST

Greetings Beer Lovers!

I may be known for my obsessive love of Sour ales and Saisons, but there is nothing more comforting and eternally interesting in my beer world than a well made stout. It was, in fact, the basis of my very FIRST 100 beers. 30 days. challenge! After much consideration, I give you my favorite West Coast stouts, made by the skilled brewing artisans we all know and love. Listed in order of lowest alcohol content to its whopping zenith, this list will have you yearning for the dark satisfaction of a beloved stout. Enjoy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bison Brewing Organic Chocolate Stout, 5% ABV
A great sessionable stout, with lovely roasted aromas, milk chocolate, coffee, and toasted almonds. Balanced and smooth with pure, clean aromas and flavors. A great intro stout for those who are convinced they “don’t like dark beers.”

Green Flash Double Stout, 8% ABV
This impeccably made stout is a hands-down, all-time favorite. Bursting with lush, scrumptious liquid chocolate. Enticing, yet comforting aromas of coffee, hazelnut, baking spice, and gentle lilac. One of the smoothest beers on the planet.

Bear Republic Big Black Bear Stout, 8.1% ABV
Love the nose on this beer! Rich, salted caramel, baking spices, cardamon, and even port! Like a glass of wine, this beer develops beautifully as it warms to room temperature. Often overlooked in the Stout world, this one is not to be missed.

North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, 9% ABV
Rich, homemade molasses cookies, baking spices, clove, nutmeg, cardamon, and even pepper prickled my nose. On the palate, tobacco and dark, dark chocolate with its trademark bitterness, a wonderful complement to the sugar and spice.  And this one is everything nice.

Ballast Point Sea Monster Stout, 10% ABV
Tons of rich, roasted coffee, with some toffee notes. The roasted malt bitterness on the finish can be categorized as resembling something between coffee, tea, and tree bark, with those tell-tale tannins that cause the puckering in our happy mouths. Rich and delicious!

Port Brewing Old Viscosity, 10.5% ABV
This monster is nicknamed “The Big Black Nasty” by its brewers. Huge notes of coffee beans and chocolate on the nose. Rich, full mouthfeel of molasses and brown sugar, but not too sweet of a finish. Described by their website as “Thick and sludgy like oil from a crankcase of a threshing combine..” Brilliant.

The Lost Abbey Serpent Stout, 11% ABV
Pours out somewhere between espresso and used motor oil. Loads of rich chocolate, coffee, and molasses, all so dark even a tanker truck of milk couldn’t penetrate it. Dark, black fruits align with their Stygian comrades to launch a blitzkreig on your senses. Seriously, folks, this is not for the weak. Be warned.

Deschutes The Abyss, 11% ABV
Let yourself tumble over the edge. Get lost in this abyss. A wonderfully complex beer, with layers of dark chocolate, tobacco, licorice, vanilla, coffee, and oak. You will be contemplating and discussing this beer for hours. Go on, I’ll jump with you.

AleSmith Speedway Stout, 12% ABV
This one blasted me out of the water with my first sip, and has remained one of my top favorites of the style. Aromas and flavors of espresso, dark dried fruit, tamari almonds, and soy. Brewed with espresso, Speedway makes a great breakfast beer.  But you might have to go right back to bed.

The Bruery Black Tuesday, 18.2% ABV
Holy Moley! Think crazy intensity of molasses, bourbon, soy, charred wood, dark caramel, vanilla, and dark chocolate. A stupendous beer that will set your mind reeling. But good luck getting your hands on one. This beer is more sought after than Elmo’s and Cabbage Patch Kids were at Christmas. No hair-pulling please.

 

Until next time,

Seek out exciting beers, expand your palate, and as always, Drink Craft Beer.

CHEERS!

Laurie Delk

About The Writer:
I am a certified Craft beer fanatic, known to beer lovers everywhere as the 100 beers. 30 days. gal. I live and breathe Craft beer, and it makes me the happiest girl in the world. My blog, 100 beers. 30 days. looks at Craft beers of a style or movement in groups of 100. Yes people, I drink and review 100 beers in just 30 days. Call me crazy, but hey, I believe in extreme living. While my background is in years of wine tasting, teaching, and making, I began delving into the delicious world of Craft Beer a year ago, and I’ve never looked back. Follow Laurie on Facebook!

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