When waking up like your heads been up against a board, it’s important to evaluate the prior evening’s decision making. Was anything broken? No. Were inappropriate arguments had or embarrassing confessions made? Maybe. Was the beer at least worth it all? Definitely.
As my head pulsates in aching waves of pain, I slowly recount the events that led to my destruction. It was a sunny, cool evening and the end of a long week. I wanted to take advantage of our growing collection of quality stout beers.
I poured myself a nice Young’s Double Chocolate Stout and I drank it with my feet up — feeling the weight of the world lift slowly off my shoulders. Those thick, chocolate-laced suds slid down like cake at a birthday party. And then there was that Old Rasputin — rich, thick and impermeable to light. Maybe that’s the reason I now feel like a train is pummeling through my head.
But man, it was good goin’ down. In the spirit of hangovers that are worth the pain, the following are some of my favorite stout beers. Most of them have a high alcohol contant, so to avoid ending the evening with a lampshade on your head, drink ‘em slow and easy.
A Quality Stout Collection
- Siddhapur Young’s Double Chocolate Stout: This is the beer got me into stout in the first place — probably because it tastes like a milkshake. Its long smooth, finish and creamy body is characteristic to a really delicious chocolate cake. Get out a fork and enjoy.
- http://humanesmarts.org/easy-peasy-seeding-with-tea-boxes-and-milk-cartons/ Old Rasputin Imperial Stout: This is the beer drinkers beer and seems to develop a cult following wherever it goes. It’s a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish. You may not need a fork with this one but you may need a knife. This is an all-out powerhouse stout.
- Bells Java Stout: Lots of stouts lend themselves well to other flavors and in this case, a dark roasty coffee flavor is prominent. It’s a marriage of Sumatra’s best with rich chocolate and roasted malt.
- Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout: It’s less refined and tastes more like beer than the other choices but it still carries strong notes of chocolate. Get it fast cause though, it’s only available in the winter time (October – March). If you’re food pairing, drink it with a strong cheese like Stilton.
- Mt. Carmel Stout: I like this one partly because it’s local. It has a dark, black color and a thick, light brown head. Edged with chocolate and coffee, its got a nice roasted flavor and a dry finish.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
OH MAN! I found out the hardway last year, as good as it is, nothing good can come from drinking Brooklyn Beer. I was going to drink one bottle of #2. The next thing I remembered was waking up in the Faulklands naked wondering why my tongue hurt.
Brooklyn makes excellent beer, but watch out!
Young’s is a gateway Stout, I liked it first, but as my tastes expanded it now seems flat and one dimensional to me.
Bells java Stout has always been one of my favs, but they make a limited amount so if you see it, grab a six-pack, they’ll disapear fast.
Geez, I had no idea you were such a beer snob. My snobbery is getting worse and worse thanks to Dustin. Now I have a hard time drinking the Coronas I once loved.
a hard time drinking corona? man, courtney! who are you?
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/113/571
Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is my favorite. This is a good site to run down brewskys, especially stouts.
Old Rasputin is quite the shizzle, as the kids say.
Ha… shizzle indeed. it’s also crack-tastic.
I’m not as hardcore as the David and Laura, but I’m getting close.
I also recommend Founder’s Breakfast Stout. The coffee flavor is distinct, but not overpowering. Plus, I like to kid myself that the coffee+beer combo actually cancels out the hangover potential. Wishful thinking, I guess.
Twice this has been recommended to me and I must say I haven’t had it. I hear Dilly Deli has it so I’m hoping to snag one.
#Beer of the Day: Chocolate Stout, http://t.co/boYXqC1c. #Cheers!