Back from the summer Stout Drought!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted….sometimes life gets in the way! I think I had my own “stout drought” with this blog! With the release of Founder’s Breakfast Stout, I took the opportunity to rededicate myself to posting on a more regular basis, which should be easier with stout season soon to be upon us. A few observations from the last couple of months:

Prairie Artisan Ales is putting out the most interesting and tasty stouts. Aside from their franchise BOMB!, recent releases of Pirate BOMB!, Apple Brandy Barrel Noir, and most recently Paradise are all worthy of your wallet, no matter the cost. I was especially surprised at Paradise, which is a draught/draft/tap only release. Paradise is the most forward vanilla stout I have ever tasted. I’m a big vanilla fan and I’m usually disappointed when a brewery touts a stout with vanilla notes – but PAA delivered with Paradise! Just smelling this stout was worth the price of the pour but the liquid delivered as well…..and I just read a blog post that PAA will be selling a brewery only release of Pirate Paradise! No way I can make it to Krebs, OK, but if they are able to get this right, Pirate Paradise could the Stout of the Year. Just wish I had a way to get my hands on one (perhaps if someone from Prairie is reading this….)!

Brewpublik, the beer delivery startup, is the real deal! I signed up for their premium concierge plan and I’ve been getting some amazing stouts delivered to my house! I’m able to select my “crate” and also take advantage of their Instagram flash sales of more scarce beers as well (see bp_reserve). If you are in their coverage areas (Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Charleston, San Francisco), I highly recommend them. If you aren’t, keep an eye on them (or drop them a note), as they are rapidly expanding into more markets.

I enjoy visiting some old friends during the Stout Drought summer months and have reaffirmed my affinity for
- Founders Breakfast Stout
- Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (I was lucky – no infections)
- Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
- Dark Horse Brewing Plead the Fifth
- Raleigh Brewing Miller’s Toll
- Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist

I’ve been intrigued by Stouts from overseas. I’ve enjoyed some great Stouts from Iceland, Denmark, and Norway! In fact last night I had Garun from Borg Brugghus in
Iceland, which had the most licorice taste in any stout I’ve had. Really interesting taste which I liked in a 12oz. bottle…..any more and it would have been too much! If you are looking for some variety in your stouts, I would recommend looking across the pond and giving some foreign stouts some love…..