What is stout?
Stout is a dark ale family shaped by roasted grain. Coffee, cocoa, toast, liquorice and dark fruit are common associations, but stout can be dry and refreshing, sweet and creamy, or intensely strong.
The style developed from the world of porter. Guinness says its Extra Stout descends from a Superior Porter recipe recorded in 1821, showing the historical overlap between the two names.
What does stout taste like?
Roasted malt and barley can suggest espresso, bitter chocolate, toast, char, treacle or liquorice. Sweeter versions may bring caramel, milk chocolate and cream. Strong examples can add dried fruit, molasses and warming alcohol.
Main types of stout
| Dry stout | Roasty, dry and often lighter in body than its black colour suggests. |
|---|---|
| Milk stout | Uses lactose to create residual sweetness and a rounder impression. |
| Oatmeal stout | Oats can add silky texture and soften the roasted edge. |
| Foreign extra stout | Stronger and more robust, often with deeper roast, fruit and bitterness. |
| Imperial stout | Powerful, full bodied and complex, with roast, dark fruit and warming alcohol. |
Stout versus porter
There is no perfectly reliable modern dividing line. Historically, stout could describe a stronger porter. Today many drinkers expect stout to taste more sharply roasted and porter to feel softer or more chocolate-led, but commercial examples often cross that boundary.
How to serve stout
Start ordinary stout around 9 to 13°C. Strong imperial stout can be served a little warmer and sipped slowly. A nonic pint suits dry stout, while a tulip or smaller stemmed glass is useful for stronger versions.
What food goes with stout?
- Oysters, smoked fish and shellfish
- Beef stew, barbecue and charred meat
- Mature cheese and blue cheese
- Chocolate cake, brownies and coffee desserts
Stout FAQ
Does stout contain coffee or chocolate?
The flavours can come naturally from roasted grain. Some speciality stouts also add coffee, cacao or other ingredients, so check the label.
Is all stout heavy?
No. Dry stout can be relatively light in body and modest in strength, while imperial stout can be rich and powerful.
What is the difference between porter and stout?
The boundary has changed over time and remains blurred. Modern stouts often emphasise a sharper roast character, but breweries use the names in overlapping ways.
Why does draught stout feel creamy?
Some draught stouts use nitrogen in the dispense system. Its small bubbles create a smoother texture and dense foam.