The American Double Stout

Out of the ashes of the Russian Imperial Stout style raises American brewing craftsmanship. The American Double Stout is one of the strongest, richest, most complex styles of beer made in this country today.
In a sense, American Double Stouts are basically Russian Imperial Stouts: Bigger, badder, and in some cases better than your standard stout. But, of course, much like with other beer styles, American brewers have tried new flavors, gone out on limbs, and taken the old world styles to new and different levels. So, on the other hand, they’re also related to American stouts. Think of them as the bigger, stronger brother.
American Double Stouts diverge from their English heritage in a variety of ways. But, the most obvious difference is the alcoholic strength. Further dissimilarity often falls into three general categories.
Some American Double Stouts can be found that claim to be hearty enough to be served for breakfast. Others are aged in oak or related wood barrels, some of which had previously held bourbon. Another popular trend is to brew these beers with coffee and or various additions. All of these tweaks of the original style bring about some amazing possibilities.
Coffee, chocolate, or oats seem to be the choice for many American brewers of double stouts. Bell’s Brewery from Michigan offers a lower alcohol by volume double, Java Stout that will satisfy any coffee junkie. Jahva, from Southern Tier Brewing In New York, is a 12 percent ABV monster of a double stout, all coffee and dark chocolate. Hitachino Nest from Japan has an Espresso stout this is creamy and cocoa tasting.
Regional favorite Wake-n-Bake from Terrapin Brewing in Athens, Ga. is a coffee and oatmeal treat that checks in at just over 8 percent ABV. Evil Twin Brewing Company puts out the insanely smooth yet nearly 12 percent Imperial Biscotti Break Stout, all boozy, mocha, and cookie goodness.
As for the ‘Breakfast Stout’ that so many breweries are partial to making, several are excellent. Some of the best are the much sought-after duo from Founders Brewing Co. Breakfast Stout, made with oats, two types of chocolate and two varieties of coffee, and it’s senior, Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS), a bigger beer, barrel aged with coffee and vanilla. Breakfast Stout is a rich, vigorous treat at 8.3 percent ABV, where KBS is bigger, richer, and nearly perfect, while sitting at 11.2 percent ABV.
As always, aging beer in bourbon or whiskey barrels has produced some of the best examples in the American Double Stout style. Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island in Illinois is an 11 percent knockout of a beer. Knocked out is what you’ll be if you quaff more than one of these babies. An amazing alcoholic brew, the varietals are sought after and even better.
Speaking of powerful stouts, the undisputed king of the knockout is Dogfish Head’s World Wide Stout. Checking in at 18+percent ABV, well, you can figure that one out for yourself. I have one bottle of this sitting in a cool, dark place. Check back in a few years and I’ll give you the review. Enjoy the brews…Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. While they don’t have every beer the Beer Snob writes about, they probably have most. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob
at publisher@westof.net.