Someone’s first stout is often the ubiquitous Irish stout Guinness. But this balanced classic is far from the only option for drinkers who acquire a preference for a stout’s signature maltiness. Breweries across the world, not just in Ireland, make this comforting and malty brew. The stout is a classic beer style that most beer-makers will brew at least once, and may always have on rotation.
Still, most people aren’t reaching for this style as their go-to beer. Maybe it’s because of its “heavy” reputation, or maybe it’s because people believe it’s a pub-only indulgence — but there are stouts from all over worth discovering. That’s why we asked 10 brewers for the stouts that have reached go-to status when they’re scanning menus.
From Sri Lankan imports to chocolaty indulgences and no-fuss standbys, these are the non-Irish stouts to keep an eye out for when you’re looking to drink on the dark side.
The Best Go-To Non-Irish Stouts According to Brewers Are: Founder’s Breakfast Stout Lion Stout Old Rasputin Keegan’s Mother’s Milk Young’s Double Chocolate Stout Southern Star’s Buried Hatchet Saugatuck Brewing’s Neapolitan Milk Stout Samuel Smith’s Chocolate Stout Bell’s Kalamazoo Imperial stouts Gun Hill Void of Light
“Founder’s Breakfast Stout. I’ll admit, I’m a Guinness fan at heart, but this beer changed my perception of coffee and beer, which has inspired us to brew more coffee-forward beers.” —Jonny Ifergan, co-founder and lead brewer, Niteglow, Brooklyn
“Lion Stout. There’s probably only a few places left in
