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Embracing the Dark Side: A Guide to Stout Season

B. Kline — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 11:22:51 +0000

Irish Car Bomb Stout on Nitro by Rotunda Brewing

Embracing the Dark Side: A Guide to Stout Season

As the leaves turn and the air chills, beer enthusiasts know it’s time to embrace the darker, richer, and more complex flavors of stout season. This beloved time of year is when breweries release their most anticipated stouts, ranging from the robust and creamy to the bold and barrel-aged. In this guide, we’ll explore the allure of stout season, highlight key styles to seek out, and share tips on how to get the most out of these darker brews. Whether you’re a stout aficionado or a curious newcomer, prepare to be enveloped by the warm embrace of stout season.

The Allure of Stout Season:

Treats of Strength by Icarus Brewing

Stout season unofficially begins in late fall and stretches through the winter months, offering a comforting counterpoint to the colder weather. This is when the depth and complexity of stouts truly shine, providing a sensory experience that is both warming and satisfying. Breweries often use this time to showcase their creativity, experimenting with aging processes, ingredients, and blending techniques to produce flavors that range from sweet and velvety to smoky and bitter.

Key Stout Styles to Explore:

Imperial Stout: Known for its high ABV and intense flavors, the imperial stout is a staple of stout season. Look for variants aged in bourbon, rum, or whiskey barrels for added complexity.
Oatmeal Stout: Creamier and smoother than other stouts, oatmeal stouts offer a gentle sweetness and a silky mouthfeel, making them incredibly approachable.
Milk Stout: Also known as sweet stouts, milk stouts are brewed with lactose sugar, which yeast cannot ferment, resulting in a sweeter, fuller-bodied beer.
Coffee Stout: Perfect for coffee lovers, these stouts incorporate coffee beans at various stages of the brewing process, offering a delightful marriage of coffee and malt flavors.
Pastry Stout: A newer trend, pastry stouts are inspired by desserts and often feature chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and other confectionery flavors.

Tips for Enjoying Stout Season:

Pair Wisely: Stouts pair excellently with rich foods and desserts. Try them with chocolate cake, aged cheeses, or hearty stews to enhance the flavors.
Serve at the Right Temperature: Unlike lighter beers, stouts should be served at a slightly warmer temperature (around 50-55°F) to fully appreciate their depth and complexity.
Explore Local Breweries: Many craft breweries release limited-edition stouts during stout season. Visiting local breweries can provide a unique opportunity to sample exclusive offerings.
Host a Tasting Event: Gather friends and host a stout tasting event. It’s a fun way to explore different styles and share the experience with others.

Conclusion:

Santa’s Bake by YAH Brew

Stout season is a time to explore the rich and diverse world of dark beers, offering an opportunity to savor flavors that are as complex as they are comforting. By seeking out different styles, pairing them thoughtfully with food, and sharing the experience with friends, you can fully embrace the dark side of beer. So, as the nights grow longer and the temperatures drop, remember that it’s not just the cold that’s setting in—it’s stout season, and it’s time to celebrate the depth, warmth, and richness it brings to the craft beer community.

German Chocolate Cake by Wicked Weed Brewing

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Best Stouts to Help with Breastfeeding: Myth or Miracle?

B. Kline — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:24:51 +0000

A nice pint of Guinness Stout

When it comes to the age-old advice passed down through generations, one intriguing recommendation for breastfeeding mothers is the consumption of stout beers. The rich, dark brew is often believed to help increase milk supply. But is there any truth to this, or is it simply a well-loved myth? Let’s dive into the details.

The Historical Context

The idea that certain stouts can aid in breastfeeding isn’t new. Historically, dark beers like stouts have been thought to boost milk production due to their higher levels of barley and hops. While the scientific evidence supporting this is limited, many mothers swear by this practice.

Top Stouts Often Recommended

Here are a few stouts that are frequently mentioned in discussions about breastfeeding:

Guinness Draught

Guinness is often recommended due to its relatively low alcohol content and rich nutritional profile. This classic Irish stout is smooth and easy to drink, making it a popular choice.

Oatmeal Stouts

Oatmeal stouts are believed to be beneficial because oats are known to support milk production. Here are two popular options:

Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout: This stout has a rich, creamy texture and a slight sweetness that pairs well with its roasted malt flavor.
Founders Breakfast Stout: With notes of coffee and chocolate, this stout is a favorite among beer enthusiasts.

Milk Stouts

Milk stouts contain lactose, a sugar derived from milk, which can be beneficial for milk production. Here are some examples:

Left Hand Milk Stout: This stout is known for its creamy mouthfeel and slightly sweet finish.
Mackeson’s XXX Milk Stout: This classic milk stout is smooth and rich, with a touch of sweetness from the lactose.

Important Considerations

While the idea of enjoying a stout to boost milk production is appealing, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:

Moderation is Key

Alcohol consumption should be limited while breastfeeding. The CDC suggests no more than one standard drink per day and waiting at least 2 hours after a single drink before breastfeeding to ensure the alcohol has left your system.

Alcohol-Free Options

For those who prefer to avoid alcohol altogether, there are many non-alcoholic stouts and beers that can provide the same psychological benefit without the alcohol content.

Nutrition and Hydration

A well-balanced diet and staying hydrated are crucial for milk production. Ensure you’re getting enough fluids and nutrients to support both you and your baby.

Six Stouts to Try While Breastfeeding

Stout isn’t just a delicious dark beer that can drink like a meal. It’s also long been believed to be a breastfeeding new mom’s best friend. While some studies warn against nursing mothers consuming alcohol, many doctors believe the occasional drink doesn’t hurt. In certain cultures, dark beer is even considered beneficial: It’s been used to increase the flow of breast milk since the ancient Egyptians started brewing beer 5,000 years ago.

There’s some science behind this belief. Barley, a main ingredient in stout, contains a polysaccharide that increases prolactin, a milk-production hormone. Oats, another common ingredient in stouts, are also thought to promote healthy milk supply, as is vitamin-B-heavy brewer’s yeast. Of course, a beer with a mild proof is the best option for new moms––milk stouts tend to have reasonable ABVs.

These six creamy milk and oatmeal stouts will please those feeding tiny humans from their own bodies and anyone else who appreciates good beer.

1. Copper Kettle Milk Stout ($11 per six-pack)

Made with actual lactose, the ingredient that gives milk stout its name and creamy character, this brew is sweet and malty. While it doesn’t actually taste like milk, this Denver beer has a chocolate milk character and velvety mouthfeel that’s pretty irresistible. At 5.6% ABV, why resist?

2. Finkel & Garf Oatmeal Milk Stout ($9 per six-pack)

From craft-beer-loving Colorado, this oatmeal milk stout is less sweet than a typical milk stout but not quite as heavy as an oatmeal stout. It drinks more like a main course than dessert, but isn’t overly filling. At 5.5% ABV, it shows satisfying malty, coffee, and chocolatey notes.

3. Guinness Milk Stout ($11 per six-pack)

Guinness released its milk stout as part of The Brewers Project series. Using the same yeast base as classic Guinness, this stout offers a kiss of sweetness from the addition of milk sugars, plus bittering hops and roasted barley. It’s smooth and creamy with a toasty chocolate milk undertone. Not quite as low ABV as the original, which clocks in at 4.2%, the 5.3% milk stout is undeniably sessionable.

4. Left Hand Milk Stout ($10 per six-pack)

With roasted barley, flaked oats, and flaked barley, this delightful milk stout is rich and chocolaty thanks, in no small part, to the addition of actual chocolate. At 6% ABV, it’s surprisingly approachable with its sweet, toasty notes and seductive mocha character.

5. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout ($12 per four-pack)

This 5% ABV beer contains hops, malted barley, brewer’s yeast, and oats, making it your classic oatmeal stout recipe. Each batch is fermented in stone Yorkshire squares in the oldest brewery in Tadcaster, England. The result is a refreshing and filling drink with a smooth and bittersweet finish.

6. Sand Creek Oscar’s Chocolate Oatmeal Stout ($7.50 per six-pack)

Oatmeal, chocolate, and barley sound like the components of a breakfast of champions, but they also come together beautifully in dark beer. This nutty, slightly sweet Wisconsin brew caps at 5.6% ABV. It’s “full-bodied yet smooth-drinking,” according to the brewer.

Final Thoughts

While some mothers find that enjoying a stout helps with milk production, it’s essential to approach this practice with caution. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant before making any changes to your diet or alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.

Ultimately, whether it’s for the potential benefits or simply for the love of a good craft beer, enjoying a well-crafted stout can be a delightful experience. Cheers to happy and healthy breastfeeding!

Guinness Articles

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If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

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Beer Review: How Now Brown Cow (With Pumpkin Spice) (Aslin Beer Co)

BKline — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 15:50:00 +0000

How Now Brown Cow w/Pumpkin Spice by Aslin Beer Company

Back At It

Back from our recent trip to Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, we’re back at you with some beer reviews. (And yes, we did survive, despite rumors.) You can read about the road trip here:

We stopped at some fun breweries (including RAR Brewing, Burley Oak Brewing, and Cape May Brewing), even tried a milko pour, and also got a little bit of walking and hiking done. And hell, I even survived a ferry.

So we’re back to work here at the blog and delivering still our daily November articles. Today’s is another beer review.

Stout Season

Personally… I think its always stout season. It can be 98 degrees in the sun, and I can be sitting outside relaxing, reading a book on my patio, and I think its still stout season. But thats just me. I know that doesn’t apply to all people. For most (sane?) people, now is stout season.

So why not throw back an excellent stout by Aslin Beer Co in accordance with this wonderful season. So in appreciation of Stout Season I offer you: How Now Brown Cow – with a twist – Pumpkin Spice. My friend is a big time pumpkin spice lover, so when we saw this at Breski’s Beverage, it was an immediate grab. So here we are. Lets get to it.

Aslin Beer Company

First, let’s take a look at Aslin Beer Company. Just as an aside, they are coming to Pittsburgh shortly, and you can read about that here:

It first started with them being able to ship to Pennsylvania during COVID, but now they are full on moving in, and setting up shop in Pittsburgh.

According to Untappd they are a regional brewery that started in Alexandria Virginia. 607 unique beers to their name, and over 1 million check in and 933 thousand ratings. They have a global average rating of 4.11 as of 11.21.21. Their Untappd description reads:

Aslin Beer Company is a northern Virginia, DC suburb, microbrewery suited to provide great beverages and a wide variety. Visit our spacious, 24-tap tasting room in Alexandria, or our Herndon location for to-go beer only.
Untappd: Aslin Beer Company

Beer Review

How Now Brown Cow w/Pumpkin Spice by Aslin Beer Co

Beer: How Now Brown Cow w/Pumpkin Spice
Brewery: Aslin Beer Company
Style: Stout – Milk / Sweet
ABV: 6%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: This iteration of our delectable Milk Stout packs a punch of pumpkin & a creamy vanilla finish! Rich aromas of a fall evening ready for those cool, cozy days ahead.

First off, this is just a fun beer name to say over and over while drinking, I don’t care who you are. And I can only assume that everyone who is drinking this must repeat the beer name at least 15 times while drinking it. If not… what are you even doing here?

The aroma is a fun pleasant pumpkin smelling stout. You get the notes of your typical pumpkin spiced beer as you pour it out, and as you bring it to your nose and lips. You get your spices, you get all that reminds you of pumpkin, and you get some subtle (hidden by the pumpkin spices) malt and stout aromas.

Visually, this is a stout through and through. Its dark, its black, its pretty. Lovely brown creamy foamy head that left a nice lacing on the glass as I drank it. Varied and dispersed bubbles and nice head retention. The stout is certainly the type of black that Nietzsche would warn you about staring into.

This is a light bodied, creamy, smooth stout that really gives you a wonderful pumpkin spice flavor. Its a fun and tasty beer, especially if you enjoy pumpkin spices (if you don’t, your mileage will certainly vary on this one). The pumpkin spice comes in hard and heavy right out the gate and pummels your palate, after that, leaving you with a creamy stout, not itself light in flavor. The stout base is a good solid light (but not watery) stout, creamy from the vanilla, and well rounded with its malt base. I haven’t had the other iterations of this (looking at Untappd, seems like they’ve done a peanut butter, a coconut, coffee, coffee and maple, coffee and maple and bacon, hazelnut, and milk chocolate. To be honest, all of those different variations sound absolutely amazing, especially knowing how good this stout is. Aslin Beer Company certainly knows their stouts and does them very well. You’ll hear no complaints from me in that department or how well their made or executed. They can keep pumping them out and sending them my way, thats for sure. And at 6% this goes down easily and smooth and doesn’t hammer you over the head and knock you out. Makes for a perfect fall beer, perhaps around a camp fire making s’mores. (Or inside watching Dune before it leaves HBO Max like we did.)

My Untappd Rating: ****
Global Untappd Rating: 3.86 (as of 11.21.21)

Dune

Speaking of Dune, spent the night watching this with my friend, while we drank the above mentioned beer, as well as a few others (including FestiFall by South County Brewing Company). What did everyone else think of the movie? I really enjoyed it. I’ve heard complaints that it was hard to follow, or confusing, or that its just too much setup, etc. But I enjoyed it. I’m not a huge ‘Dune’ head, I read the original back in my Middle School or High School days (oh god how long ago was that?!), and have not read the sequels or all of the add-ons that Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert did with Kevin J. Anderson. (I have all of Frank’s sequels in my office, I really need to get around to reading this series again.)

So curious what everyone else’s thoughts were on the movie. Leave them in the comments!

Recent Beer Reviews

We’ve gotten quite a few recent beer reviews for your reading pleasure here on the blog. Be sure to check out the list below, or go to the “Beer Reviews” section to see some older ones. First, here’s our review of Aslin’s Isolation Anniversary beer:

Beer Review: Isolation Anniversary (Aslin Beer Co)

Our most recent beer reviews:

Thanks For Reading

As I always like to end my reviews here, I want to say thanks for reading. If you enjoyed the review, please a comment, like and follow us, and even share the article if you really liked it. If you have anything, comments, questions, thoughts, or even concerns, please go ahead and leave a comment here on the page, or on our social media pages. We love to hear from you guys!

Take it easy everyone! Getting close to Thanksgiving time!

Cheers!

-B. Kline

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