Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Stouts and Porters

Twins of the Beer World

Flavored Stout

Flavored stouts are stouts, be they sweeter or drier, that have been flavored in some way. Dark fruits, coffee and chocolate are particularly popular, and the marriage of flavors should at best be greater than the sum of its parts.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

97 Brooklyn Black Ops Stout, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 10.7% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color with fine saffron tan mousse. Lavish aromas of fruity buttery caramel, honeyed nuts, molasses and vanilla bespeak bourbon barrels and follow through on a rich, decadent entry to a fruity full body with spicy fruitcake and cherry cordial notes. Finishes with a long, chewy and evolving caramelized nut and grain fade. A dangerously delicious stout.

92 Swashbuckler Stout, Harmon Brewing Co. (WA). 8.3% ABV (1/09)
Deep brown black. Dark roasted nut and berry piecrust aromas follow through on a chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with mashed raisin, cigar box and rum cake-like notes. Finishes with a tangy citrus marmalade, soy and chocolate-accented fade. A big and nicely balanced wood-aged stout.

92 Chocolate Indulgence Stout, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 7% ABV (1/09)
Dark crown black color with a dark tan head. Rich artisan chocolate and dried fruit aromas follow through on a smooth, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with sweet citrus and honeyed apple notes. Finishes in a tangy, refreshing bittersweet chocolate and bubbly fruit piecrust fade with vibrant acidity and astringency. Excellent.

89 Double Chocolate Stout, Wells & Young’s Brewing Co. Ltd. (England). 5.2% ABV (1/09)
Brown color. Light, crisp chocolate phosphate aromas and flavors with a touch of cherry jam. Finishes with a crisp refreshing dark lager-like fade. A solid quaffer.

89 Chocolate Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color with a light brown head. Dimensional melted chocolate-drizzled raisin aromas follow through on a soft, smooth entry to a lively dryish medium-to-full body with firm roasted grain and nut notes. Finishes with a long, lightly astringent baker’s chocolate and baked citrusy hops. Very nice.

87 Double Black Stout with Coffee, Red Hook Brewery (WA). 7% ABV (1/09)
Brownish black color. Mild café Americano aromas follow through on a brisk entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with nut skin, peppercorn and cocoa notes. Finishes with mild creamy fade.

86 Campfire Coffee Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (1/10)
Aromas of smoky roasted jalapeños and coffee grounds follow through on a round, forceful entry to a dryish medium-full body with focused flavors and a mildly astringent coffee and cocoa fade.

84 Harv’s Wild Plum Stout, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 8% ABV (1/09)
Brown black color. Grape soda and chocolate milkshake aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tangy plum pie and raisin notes. Finishes with quick nut skin and cocoa dust fade.

83 Atomic Espresso Stout, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 5% ABV (1/09)
Dark brown color. Earthy, oil-roasted nuts and mossy moldy reed and leather aroma and flavors, and a tangy lemon spritz and spent coffee grounds fade.

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