Table Of Contents

Stout 101

Last Updated: August 12, 2020

Dark and roasty, stouts are best known by their world-famous emissary: Guinness. Of course, the Irish icon is not the only stout on the block. The category spans English stouts, broad-shouldered Imperial stouts, milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, and oyster stouts.

The style evolved out of the porter category, and its original name was “stout porter.” Historically, the difference between the two was strength: stouts are heavier and more flavorful than. That’s because most stouts involve roasted barley.

The colors of stouts ranges from coppery brown to chocolate to off-black, and ABVs span 4 to 9 percent. In addition to Guinness, popular stouts include Founders Imperial Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout, DogFish Head Bitches Brew, and Tree House Double Shot. Care to embrace the dark side? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about stout beer.

Read Our Full Stout 101 Guide

Popular Stout Brands

10 Things You Should Know About Rogue Ales
10 Things You Should Know About Rogue Ales
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Guinness
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Guinness

The Best Bottles Of Stout To Buy

10 of the Best Pastry Stouts in Our Beer Fridge Right Now, Ranked
10 of the Best Pastry Stouts in Our Beer Fridge Right Now, Ranked
Nine Great Chocolate Stouts You Can Buy Right Now, Ranked
Nine Great Chocolate Stouts You Can Buy Right Now, Ranked
6 of the Best Porters and Stouts to Warm Up Your Winter
6 of the Best Porters and Stouts to Warm Up Your Winter
7 of the Best Coffee Beers to Drink From Dusk ‘Til Dawn
7 of the Best Coffee Beers to Drink From Dusk ‘Til Dawn
8 of the Best Beers to Give Mom This Mother’s Day
8 of the Best Beers to Give Mom This Mother’s Day

Stout Infographics & Maps

The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Doughnuts and Beer [INFOGRAPHIC]
The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Doughnuts and Beer [INFOGRAPHIC]
America’s Favorite Christmas Cookies Paired with Beer [Infographic]
America’s Favorite Christmas Cookies Paired with Beer [Infographic]
America’s 11 Favorite Thanksgiving Pies Paired with Beer [Infographic]
America’s 11 Favorite Thanksgiving Pies Paired with Beer [Infographic]

Recent Articles About Stout

Guinness Just Released An Alcohol-Free Version of Its Iconic Stout
Guinness Just Released An Alcohol-Free Version of Its Iconic Stout
Goose Island Bourbon County Stouts Are a Study in Barrels and Adjuncts (2019)
Goose Island Bourbon County Stouts Are a Study in Barrels and Adjuncts (2019)
Raising a Glass (and a Spoon) to Guinness Ice Cream
Raising a Glass (and a Spoon) to Guinness Ice Cream
Goose Island Announces 2019 Bourbon County Variants
Goose Island Announces 2019 Bourbon County Variants
Every Factor That Affects the Quality of Your Guinness, Explained
Every Factor That Affects the Quality of Your Guinness, Explained
The Best Stout Beer Glasses You’ll Ever Use
The Best Stout Beer Glasses You’ll Ever Use
Barrel-Aged Stouts Have Gone From Curiosity to Cult Collectible Because Innovation is Expensive and FOMO Is Real
Barrel-Aged Stouts Have Gone From Curiosity to Cult Collectible Because Innovation is Expensive and FOMO Is Real
Goose Island Bourbon County Beers 2018, Ranked
Goose Island Bourbon County Beers 2018, Ranked
Nice Haul! The Definitive Craft Beer Urban Dictionary
Nice Haul! The Definitive Craft Beer Urban Dictionary
100-Year-Old Woman Says Secret to Long Life Is ‘A Guinness a Day’
100-Year-Old Woman Says Secret to Long Life Is ‘A Guinness a Day’
Study Says ‘Sinking Bubbles’ in Stouts Is an Optical Illusion
Study Says ‘Sinking Bubbles’ in Stouts Is an Optical Illusion
For Ohio Brewer Trevor Williams, ‘LaCroix Is Life’
For Ohio Brewer Trevor Williams, ‘LaCroix Is Life’
Barrage Brewing’s Steve Pominski Adores Cantillon’s Iris, And Yoo-hoo
Barrage Brewing’s Steve Pominski Adores Cantillon’s Iris, And Yoo-hoo
10 Things You Should Know About Trillium Brewing Company
10 Things You Should Know About Trillium Brewing Company
There’s Now a Beer That Tastes Like Thin Mints
There’s Now a Beer That Tastes Like Thin Mints
Eat Your Guinness This St. Patty’s Day With These 10 Delicious Recipes
Eat Your Guinness This St. Patty’s Day With These 10 Delicious Recipes
9 Guinness Cocktails to Upgrade Your St. Patrick’s Day
9 Guinness Cocktails to Upgrade Your St. Patrick’s Day
7 Observations About Beer That Don’t Merit Their Own Full Stories
7 Observations About Beer That Don’t Merit Their Own Full Stories
Our Reader Panel Selects The Porters And Stouts You Should Be Drinking Now
Our Reader Panel Selects The Porters And Stouts You Should Be Drinking Now
The Irish Stout You Don’t Know But Should
The Irish Stout You Don’t Know But Should
9 Ways To Eat Your Guinness This St. Patrick’s Day
9 Ways To Eat Your Guinness This St. Patrick’s Day
10 Imperial Stouts That Will Help You Survive The Winter
10 Imperial Stouts That Will Help You Survive The Winter
14 Flavored Stouts To Ease You Out Of Autumn
14 Flavored Stouts To Ease You Out Of Autumn
What The Heck Is A Nitro Pour, And Why Should I Care?
What The Heck Is A Nitro Pour, And Why Should I Care?
The Difference Between Porter And Stout Beer: It’s Complicated
The Difference Between Porter And Stout Beer: It’s Complicated