Stout: Complete Guide to Types and the Best to Try

Stout is one of the most beloved and complex beer families in the world. Dark, creamy, with notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt, stout is much more than a dark beer: it is a universe of different styles, each with its own personality. This guide helps you navigate the main types of stout and discover the best available on Maltese.

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What is a Stout?

Stout is a top-fermented beer characterized by the use of roasted malts or unmalted roasted barley, which give it the almost black dark color and aromatic notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and burnt caramel. It originated in Ireland and Great Britain in the 18th century as an evolution of Porter, of which it is the stronger and more intense version.

Stout vs Porter: What is the Difference?

The distinction between stout and porter is often subtle and historically fluid. In general:

• Porter - lighter, notes of milk chocolate and caramel, medium body
• Stout - stronger, notes of coffee and dark chocolate, full body, more pronounced bitterness

Today many breweries use the two terms interchangeably. What matters is the flavor profile of the individual beer.

The Main Types of Stout

Dry Stout (Irish Stout)

The quintessential stout, made famous by Guinness. Dry, bitter, with notes of roasted coffee and persistent creamy foam. Moderate strength (4-5% ABV), highly drinkable. Ideal as an everyday pub beer.

Read the complete guide to Dry Stout

Oatmeal Stout

Produced with the addition of oat flakes that provide softness, creamy body, and velvety sweetness. Notes of milk chocolate, coffee with milk, toasted oats. Strength 4-6% ABV. Rounder and less bitter than Dry Stout.

Read the complete guide to Oatmeal Stout

Sweet Stout (Milk Stout)

Produced with the addition of lactose (non-fermentable milk sugar) which gives residual sweetness and creamy body. Notes of milk chocolate, vanilla, caramel. Strength 4-6% ABV. The sweetest and most approachable of the family.

Imperial Stout (Russian Imperial Stout)

The most intense and complex stout. High strength (8-14% ABV), full body, notes of dark chocolate, espresso coffee, dried fruit, licorice. Born to withstand long journeys to the Russian Tsar’s court. The ultimate contemplative beer.

Barrel-Aged Stout

Imperial Stout (or other strong stouts) aged in whisky, bourbon, rum, or wine barrels. It acquires notes of vanilla, wood, aged alcohol, and extraordinary complexity. Often above 10% ABV. The most prized and sought-after in the category.

Read the complete guide to Barrel-Aged Stout

Cream Stout

Similar to Sweet Stout, with a particularly creamy and smooth texture. Notes of chocolate, coffee with milk, cream. Moderate strength, highly drinkable.

Nitro Stout

Stout served with nitrogen instead of CO2, creating a dense and creamy foam and a velvety mouthfeel. The closest experience to a Guinness on tap, in a can.

The Best Craft Stouts on Maltese

• Oatmeal Stout - creamy, smooth, with notes of oats and milk chocolate. The most approachable and easy-drinking stout
• Sweet Stout - sweet, velvety, with lactose. Notes of milk chocolate and vanilla
• Cream Stout - creamy texture, notes of coffee with milk and cream
• Silkie Stout - silky and balanced, a stout with Irish character
• Porcini Imperial Stout - Imperial Stout with porcini mushrooms, one of the most original and surprising stouts in the catalog
• La15 di Orso Verde - Italian craft Imperial Stout with great structure and complexity
• Bastarda Nera - dark, intense, with a strong character
• No Alcohol Nitro Stout - Dundalk Bay - non-alcoholic stout with nitrogen, creamy foam, and zero alcohol

How to Taste a Stout

• Temperature - 10-14 degrees Celsius. Never too cold: cold masks the coffee and chocolate aromas
• Glass - pint for Dry and Oatmeal Stouts, snifter for Imperial and Barrel-Aged
• Pouring - tilt at 45 degrees, pour slowly, create 2-3 cm of creamy foam

Food Pairings

• Dry Stout - oysters, aged cheeses, grilled red meats
• Oatmeal Stout - chocolate desserts, tiramisu, creamy cheeses
• Imperial Stout - dark chocolate, blue cheeses, game meats
• Barrel-Aged Stout - alone, as a contemplative beer, or with extra dark chocolate

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