Sierra Nevada says:
“Creamy, malty, and full-bodied, the Sierra Nevada Stout is satisfyingly rich. Caramel and Black malts give the Stout its deep, dark color and pronounced roasted flavor.”
Sierra Nevada Stout
Stout, 5.8% ABV
There are so many varieties of stouts on the market these days it’s easy to lose an appreciation for one of my favorite winter standbys. Sure, I love a good Russian Imperial Stout or Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout but sometimes it’s OK to just sit down with a plain old, run of the mill stout. Although, there is nothing plain with Sierra Nevada’s stout.
Even though this beer has been available in the beeriverse for a while I hesitated to pick it up. I knew Sierra Nevada did a great pale ale and I kind of figured that is all they did well. Well, I was wrong. This stout is hands down one of the best I have ever had.
And, sitting at just a hair under 6% ABV it is easy drinking on a crisp fall Saturday afternoon or blustery winter night. Or while watching baseball in June. You get the picture.
Sierra Nevada’s stout pours coal black with a thick, pillowy tan head that clings to the glass and just won’t let go. Smells of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and just the slightest hint of hops wafts from the pint glass. The flavors match up with the smell nicely but with a bit more depth; malted milk balls, roasted pecans, freshly brewed coffee and some floral hops to finish things off.
This is about as close as you can come to a perfect stout. It’s deep, dark, rich and well balanced. Find it. Drink it. Drink it in the summer or drink it in the winter. It doesn’t matter. This is one good beer.