What Is a Stout beer ? Origin, flavours, brewing and tasting guide

Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or simply curious about craft brews, stout is a beer style worth exploring. From its rich history to its bold flavours and variants, here's everything you need to know about this iconic dark beer.

What is a Stout beer?

Stout is a top-fermented dark beer originating from England. Known for its deep ebony colour, thick creamy head, and roasted aromas, stout owes its character to roasted barley and malts. These ingredients give it a near-black hue and a distinctive flavour profile.

What does Stout taste like?

While often (wrongly) compared to cold coffee, stout is much more complex. Traditional stouts are dry, with roasted notes of coffee and cocoa. You’ll also find hints of caramel and dark chocolate, with a subtle bitterness from the hops. Alcohol levels vary widely—from 3% to over 13% for strong versions like Imperial Stout.

The history of Stout beer

The stout style evolved from the porter, a dark beer popular in 18th-century London. Originally called "Entire," the beer was loved by London dockworkers (or “porters”), leading to the name "porter." As stronger versions emerged, they were referred to as "Stout Porters." Over time, the term “Porter” was dropped, and “Stout” stood on its own. Contrary to popular belief, stout did not originate in Ireland, although it is closely associated with the Guinness brand today.

How is Stout brewed?

Stout is brewed using highly roasted malts and black malts, which contribute to its colour and flavour. About 10% of these grains are enough to give the beer its characteristic richness. Additional ingredients like oats, hops, or lactose are often added to create different sub-styles.

Stout beer variants

• Imperial Stout: Strong and rich, originally brewed for Russian royalty, with notes of coffee, chocolate, and black fruit.
• American Stout: Brewed with American hops, offering citrusy aromas and a clean bitterness alongside roasted flavours.
• Irish Stout (Dry Stout): Typically drier and more bitter than other stouts. Guinness is the most famous example.
• Oatmeal Stout: Smooth and complex, with oats added during brewing for a creamy texture.
• Milk Stout (Sweet Stout): Contains lactose for added sweetness and body.
• Oyster Stout: Brewed with oysters, offering subtle saline and iodine notes.

How to enjoy a Stout beer

Serve stout at around 13–14°C in an English pint glass. Store your bottles in the upper fridge door (8–10°C) and take them out a few minutes before drinking. This beer pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, oysters, or strong cheeses like Roquefort and Maroilles. Stout also makes a great ingredient for cooking—try it in chocolate cake or tiramisu recipes.

Celebrate international Stout day

Every year on the first Thursday of November, beer lovers celebrate International Stout Day—a tribute to the complexity and craftsmanship behind this legendary beer style.

Explore Stouts at PerfectDraft

Our online shop offers a wide range of stouts, from classics like Guinness to bold brews such as Death By Disco, Founders KBS Espresso, and Tempest Mexicake. Each product page includes detailed info on origin, ABV, aromas, flavours, bitterness, and sweetness—helping you choose the perfect dark beer for your palate.

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Discover other styles of beers with these articles : What is a Trappist beer ? What is a triple beer ?