Now is the time of year for dark beers! Porters and stouts are so tasty because they are made from roasted barley, malt, and hops, similarly to the way that coffee is made. The most common types of dark beers are Baltic porters, dry stouts, and imperial stouts. There are also milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, oyster stouts, and coffee stouts. These beers first appeared in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s, and were named "stout" due to the term’s connection with the words "brave" and "strong." One of the biggest benefits of these drinks is that they are very alcoholic, usually averaging between 7% and 10% ABV, but they have the delicious, smokey flavor of coffee and chocolate, and go down really easy on a cold winter's night. Here are a couple choice beverages for the upcoming freezin’ season!
One of the tastiest stouts is Old Rasputin Imperial Stout, which is smokey, chocolatey, and bitter. At 9% ABV, this is a must-have, even though it only comes in four-packs.
Allagash Black is a Belgian stout roasted with barley, chocolate, and candied sugar. It has a slight grape flavor, and the bitter, chocolatey finish warms the stomach nicely. It’s only 7.5% ABV, but comes in a big bottle!
Smuttynose makes a great Baltic porter, it is 8% ABV and has a bold, mocha flavor.
Check out these great beers this season, available all over RVA in restaurants and wherever craft beer is sold!
By Addison Herron-Wheeler/Originally appeared at ilovestickyrice.com