When it comes to winter (and early spring) beers, there’s no topping the classic, rich, robust stout. Sure, nobody will fault you for sipping an IPA, lager, or even a wheat beer as a change of pace (especially as we head towards spring). But there’s no denying the appeal of a well-made, warming stout on a cold winter night. Especially if you can pick up a sixer of your favorite stout at your local supermarket or beer store.
Back in 2006, I began my professional writing career as a beer columnist at a local newspaper. Back then, I was in my early twenties and had only been acquainted with beer for a few years at that point. I didn’t realize that a whole world of beer was waiting to be discovered. One of the first beers I really enjoyed is the timeless Guinness Stout.
I still enjoy this beer to this day and seek it out whenever I find myself in an Irish pub. It’s also one of the best grocery store stouts available, thanks to the addition of a nitro “widget” in the can, guaranteeing it will be creamy and perfect.
Guinness is by far the most recognizable stout in the world, but it’s not the only one you can find at your local grocery store worth adding to your fridge.
What is a stout?
Before we get into what stouts you should be stocking this winter, it’s important to take a little dive into the style itself. In the simplest terms, a stout is a dark (sometimes pitch black in appearance), top-fermenting beer that has its origins in England. It’s brewed with roasted, unmalted barley and is well-known for its aromas and flavors of roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and an effortlessly creamy, smooth mouthfeel.
And, while we mentioned Guinness before, it’s important to note that the popular Irish beer is an Irish stout. Other stout styles include milk stouts, oatmeal stouts, imperial stouts, and barrel-aged stouts (among others).
The best grocery store stouts
Now that you’ve learned a little about what makes a stout and why they’re the perfect accompaniment to a blustery, cold winter day, it’s time to find some to add to your refrigerator while you await the spring thaw. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite stouts that are available almost anywhere.
Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
No grocery store stout list is complete without Left Hand Milk Stout. Brewed with 2-row, Crystal, Chocolate, Munich, and roasted malts, it gets its unique mouthfeel from lactose, oats, and flaked barley. It gets its hop aroma and flavor from the addition of CTZ and Golding hops. The result is a truly memorable stout known for its flavors of freshly brewed coffee, roasted malts, dark chocolate, and vanilla. It’s creamy and memorable thanks to the addition of nitro. The finish is gently bitter, leaving you craving more.
$12.49
Deschutes Obsidian Stout
This popular, 6.4% ABV stout was brewed with 2-row malt, roasted barley, black barley, Munich malt, Crystal 75/80, Carapils, and wheat. It gets its hop aroma and flavor from the addition of Delta and Northern Brewer hops. The result is a balanced stout loaded with flavors like rich chocolate, roasted malts, coffee beans, and light, floral, earthy hops. It’s rich, robust, and finishes gently bitter.
$11.49
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
If you’re looking for a big, bold, high-ABV stout to end the winter right, look no further than Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. As the name implies, Ten Fidy is a 10.50% ABV imperial stout brewed with 2-row malt, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and flaked oats. The result is an indulgent, boozy stout centered on flavors like caramelized sugar, dark chocolate, roasted barley, freshly brewed coffee, and vanilla beans. It’s the type of beer you’ll want to crack open after returning home on an unseasonably cool winter night.
$15.49
North Coast Old Rasputin
If you only purchase one stout on this list, make it North Coast Old Rasputin. Named for the historic “mad monk”, this 9% Russian imperial stout is brewed with pale 2-row malts, specialty malts, and Cluster and Northern Brewer hops. Pitch black in appearance, this epic stout is a symphony of flavors, including roasted malts, chocolate fudge, espresso, crème brulee, and just a hint of piney, herbal hops. It’s rich and luxurious in mouthfeel, and it ends with just a hint of pleasant bitterness.
$9.99
Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout
If you’re a fan of oatmeal stouts, you’ll love the classic version from the Samuel Smith’s Brewery. It’s brewed with simple ingredients like well water, malted barley, oats, cane sugar, roasted barley, yeast, and select hops. This creates a complex stout filled with flavors like chocolate, roasted malts, dried fruits, coffee beans, toffee, and oats. The finish is a perfect mix of sweetness and gentle bitter flavor.
$12.99
