Warm, cozy sweaters, hot tea, pumpkins, brightly-colored leaves, toasty fires, and dark beer. These are the images that come to mind when we think of fall. The most important is obviously dark beer. We order porters and we’re all about stouts. But since the upcoming holidays will be full of fatty foods, a lot of beer, and a whole lot of extra calories, we’re trying our best to limit our stout intake to only the best of the bunch.
How are we expected to possibly choose from the thousands of stouts available in the US? We couldn’t handle the pressure so we asked some of our favorite bartenders to tell us their favorite picks for fall 2018. Check them all out below. If you your favorite stout was left out, give us a shout in the comments.
War Flag Stout
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Will Benedetto, cocktail curator at In Good Company in New York City
“I’m a big fan of War Flag Stout. It’s pretty crushable for a stout but has all of those great rich flavors.”
Kelso’s Black Walnut Stout
Josh Cameron, head bartender at Boulton & Watt in New York City
“The best stout to drink this fall? I call for Kelso’s Black Walnut stout this time of year. Always pour it into a glass. Sip, listen, or and learn something…”
Lakewood The Temptress
Sam Cable, head bartender at P.S. Speakeasy in Kansas City, Missouri
“One of the things I loved most about Texas was a seasonal release put out each November by Lakewood Brewing just outside of Dallas. They take an already phenomenal Imperial Milk Stout, throw in some graham crackers and mint, and then bottle the ambrosia that is Sin Mint Temptress. “
Brifficio de Ducato Verdi Imperial Stout
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Danwel Olivo, lead mixologist at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
“Brewed by Brifficio de Ducato, Verdi Imperial Stout is a full-bodied and medium-hopped brew that exudes fiery fall flavors, such as toasted malt, rye bread, ripe plum, coffee, and rich spice notes.”
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
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Sebastian Gonzalez, mixologist at Hilton Buenos Aires
“For a sweet take on a stout, try Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout. Skip your Halloween candy for this strong-bodied creamy beer with notes of chocolate and coffee.”
Allagash Black
William Perbellini, property mixologist at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
“What’s the best stout to drink this fall? Allagash black Belgium style stout.”
Empirical Singularity
Anastasia Sasewich, head bartender at Bar Moxy in Chicago
“One thing I look forward to every fall is when one of my favorite Chicago breweries, Empirical Brewing in Ravenswood, releases their Singularity oatmeal stout. They add a ton of oats during the brewing process and the result is a really big, full stout that has a lot of body but is still pleasantly dry. It has a bit more coffee presence on the palate as well, which I love in a stout.”
Founders Breakfast Stout
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Logan Demmy, bar manager at The Citizens Trust in Columbus, Ohio
“It’s an oldie but a goodie – Founders Breakfast Stout drinks amazingly in the fall as the weather chills. It also drinks amazingly most of the year.”
Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
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Jason Rodriguez, beverage director at HALL NYC
“Guinness will always be the selection that is on every tap, consistent and delicious, but I also fell in love with the Left Hand Milk Stout which really lives up to the name. Amazing flavor and delicious without being too heavy but also hits the spot during those colder fall/winter months and honestly even year-round.”
Holy City Hall & Oatmeal Stout
Lauren Kritt, head bartender at HarbourView Inn in Charleston, South Carolina
“Hall & Oatmeal Stout all the way! Holy City Brewing is one of my favorite spots to hang out and the Hall and Oatmeal is not too heavy and uses Nitro instead of CO2, so I find it to be a lot less bitter.”
Right Brain CEO Stout
Jeremy Williams, lead mixologist at Lumber Baron Bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Recently my wife turned me on to the CEO Stout from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City, Michigan. Michigan makes great dark beer… This one is an oatmeal stout flavored with chocolate and espresso beans. Being brewed with oats it’s full-bodied and creamy with darkly roasted malts and has a hop bitterness that is complemented by the espresso.”
Guinness
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Lisa Selman, Director of Beverage at Hilton Chicago
“The best stout to drink this fall? Guinness. I mean, why reinvent the wheel? For a twist, maybe make it a little better by adding a cheeky of whiskey.”
