7 to Try: Approachable Stouts

While there’s no wrong time to enjoy a stout, the beer’s rich, toasty flavors and often fuller-bodied profile make for an especially comforting winter pour. In our November/December 2025 issue, contributing editor Joshua Bernstein explores the evolving state of the American stout through breweries that are making the beers more approachable and available for everyday drinking. Here are a few such stouts he highlights, ranging from light-bodied brews for casual weeknight drinking to barrel-aged beauties perfect for wintertime toasts.

Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout

Beers from beloved Michigan brewery Bell’s, whose Two Hearted IPA is often cited by other brewers as their inspiration to get into the craft, were long hard to nab outside their home region. But popularity has begotten wide distribution, and their Kalamazoo Stout is not to be missed. Named for the city where the brewery got its start, the beer features notes of roasted coffee and dark chocolate, and some complementary complexity from brewer’s licorice. At a reasonable 6 percent ABV, this one is suited for any night of the week. bellsbeer.com

Boulevard Brewing Wood Baron

Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing has long been known for its big, boozy stouts like the 12.2 percent Bourbon Barrel Quad. But for those seeking a more approachable option, Boulevard more recently began to roll out the Wood Baron Barrel-Fresh Ale. Comprised of 65 percent barrel-aged beer and 35 percent fresh, the ale still carries rich flavors of vanilla and chocolate but in a more manageable 9 percent ABV. boulevard.com

Deschutes Obsidian Stout

A longtime favorite in the flagship lineup of Bend brewery Deschutes, the inky-black Obsidian Stout (named for the massive lava fields bordering the central Oregon city) is built on a blend of black and roasted barley and a trio of malts. A firm underlying bitterness helps balance the rich notes of chocolate and espresso. But the 6 percent ABV makes this one easy to enjoy anytime. deschutesbrewery.com

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Original Stout

Chicago brewery Goose Island first launched their Bourbon County Brand Stout back in 1992 and have been playing with barrel aging ever since. They’ve added ingredients like blackberries and coffee and experimented with different barrels, including 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle barrels. This year, to make the beers more approachable, Goose Island switched the packaging from their traditional 16.9-ounce single bottles to 4-packs of 10-ounce bottles. The 2025 Original Stout is aged in a blend of Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey whiskey barrels for about 14 months. The result is rich flavors of vanilla, cherry, and caramelized sugar at an ABV of almost 15 percent. gooseisland.com

Lawson’s Finest Nitro Stout

Vermont brewery Lawson’s Finest Liquids might be better know for their IPA game. But several years ago they experimented with a dry, Irish-style stout served on nitro, à la Guinness. The light yet creamy beer became a hit in the taproom. So this year the brewery offered it year-round and began widely distributing the cans. Brewed with Irish malts for toasty, chocolaty notes, the light-bodied beer is an easy-drinking 5.4 percent ABV. lawsonsfinest.com

Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout

Employee-owned Colorado Brewery Left Hand is among the first American brewers to figure out how to bottle nitro beer and are long beloved for their lineup of nitro brews. They make their classic Milk Stout with the addition of lactose (milk sugar), and the result is an extra-creamy stout. Its smooth texture complements the beer’s flavors of coffee, milk chocolate, and brown sugar. lefthandbrewing.com

Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout

Appealing to craft beer lovers and tabletop gamers alike, Michigan’s New Holland Brewing created a special collaboration line of beers inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Its name is inspired by the medieval term for a potent celebratory beverage. Aged in bourbon barrels for three months, the beer’s sweeter notes of vanilla and oak are complemented by flavors of coffee and chocolate. The 11-percent ABV stout is a potent brew indeed, perfect for toasting a successful campaign. dragonsmilk.com