I almost can’t believe it. Am I an idiot or what? This question is PURELY rhetorical. Don’t send me private messages agreeing with me.
It’s January and I have NOT put out “My List of Top Michigan Stouts!
Who am I?
Because it’s already January AND most Stout Weeks have come and gone AND most of you have already drank your little heart’s desire of stouts this season…I will make this brief. I love my stouts like I love my men…meaty and not too sweet (don’t ask)…so you won’t see many milk stouts on here. Imperial and Bourbon Barrels are my favs so this list will be heavy on those. This list is not in order of importance…I love them all equally. Let’s start the show…
Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel American Imperial Stout
Those 6 little words are the only ones you need to know for complete joy and pure happiness. If you EVER get a chance to wrap your lips around this luscious, creamy, bitter, toasty, nectar of the gods…then you have finally reached nirvana. Don’t I LOOK happy???
Witch’s Hat Brewing Bourbon Barrel Night Fury with Vanilla Bean
and
Witch’s Hat Brewing Bourbon Barrel Chocolate Espresso Night Fury
I’d like to beat up those Witch’s Hat people.
Yes. I said that from my heart.
Their beer is so dag-gone good it makes me mad.
The brewery is also a long hike from my house, which makes me madder.
ALSO, their AMAZING BBA Stouts are only bottled and put out at irregular times to the Mug Club Only and that makes me FREAKING MAD!
I want to be able to bathe in these people’s beer and I can’t do that by the pint.
Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout and Bell’s Expedition Stout
.
I think you all know how I feel about Bell’s stouts.
They make about 13 different stouts…all deliciously different and exceptional. During a Bell’s brewery tour, the docent told us that stouts were Larry Bell’s favorite, so it makes sense that he does them so right.
Watch out for ‘All Stouts Day’ in November, when Bell’s brings out the big guns and stouts take over the tap room.
Dark Horse Please the 5th Imperial Stout
I have dreams of going back to the brewery, sitting at the bar, gouging myself with pizza and drowning myself in their delicious nectar. That nectar includes Please The 5th. The great thing about this fruity, chocolaty, pitch black beer is it’s released in February, so we still have time!
Founder’s Breakfast Stout
We ALL know about KBS and CBS but they are so hard to track down and many times it’s not even worth the fight, so why put them on a list for people to never find and never
enjoy? Waste of time. But FBS is the ticket and can be easily found here in MI. Unless you live in Chicago, then, not only is it plentiful but about $3.00 cheaper than it is in MI. No Joke.
New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Coffee & Chocolate
Yes, yes and more yes. The smell alone is enough to make your mouth water and get you buzzed, so you know what’s going to happen once you taste it. This is one that shouldn’t be passed up if you have a chance to catch it. I felt the series of beers (there were 5) were easy to find, but I have heard they’ve eluded a few people.
Delicious!
OddSide Ales Sinister Vertigo Imperial Stout
OddSide Ales Morningwood Stout
OddSide Ales Hipster Brunch Stout
OddSide Ales has stouts on lock (clearly since I have three listed) in every way, shape and form. Not only are they superb, highly rated by critics and casual beer lovers alike, but they are plentiful, inexpensive and still come in 6-packs, NOT 4-packs. It’s the little things folks and THIS is how you do business!!!
Rochester Mill’s Bourbon Barrel Milkshake Stout
I’m gonna be completely honest here. I’ve never been a fan of Rochester Mill’s Milkshake Stout. I find it to be thin, light on taste and a shade watery. But THIS! Rochester Tap Room had this on tap and the bartender implored me to try a taste. I couldn’t believe my eyes or my taste buds. It was a completely different beer and by that I mean great!
Sagatuck Neapolitan Milk Stout Barrel Aged
Stop The Presses!! This beer is for real. Although the barrel aged version is not being produced anymore, the original is and is also delicious. I had to add the Barrel-Aged NMS to the list because I find it to be slightly better. This is only the second Milk/Sweet stout on my list. Probably because it is tops. If you are not into stouts OR are new to them OR even if you are a long time lover of them, this beer will work for you. It truly feels like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream are sliding down your throat when you drink it. And that’s no bull.
As always, let me know what you think and what you have tried. I love hearing from you folks about your feelings towards different libations. Also, I could have added to this list, but I wanted to keep it concise and simple.
You’re welcome.
