The Styles and Brands to Buy

Baltic Porter

Try this: Boss Browar Witnica Black Boss Porter
$2.70 per 16-oz bottle; halftimebeverage.com
Tastes like: A balance of sweetness and intense coffee flavor, this Polish brew packs a surprising punch.

Black IPA

Try this: 21st Amendment Back in Black
$13 per six-pack; bierkraft.com
Tastes like: With a backbone of black malt and three kinds of fruity hops, this San Francisco IPA ups the complexity with a tinge of anise.

Russian Imperial Stout

Try this: Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout
$13 per 500-ml bottle; bierkraft.com
Tastes like: This Norwegian offering is less oily than many similar stouts but is still loaded with roasted-malt character.

Schwarzbier

Try this: Köstritzer
$3 per 500-ml bottle; wallywine.com
Tastes like: Peppy carbonation and the malty sweetness of dark bread make this a surprising session brew.

Sweet Stout

Try this: Left Hand Brewing Company Milk Stout
$9.50 per six-pack; argonautliquor.com
Tastes like: Milk sugar and chocolate malt make this vanilla-tinged Colorado brew rich but not heavy.

3 Ways to Mix It

1. Port Stout

From Hatfield's in Los Angeles
A combo of black port and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout is served in a brandy snifter for the spin on the boilermaker.

2. Coffee In Heaven

From the Farmers' Cabinet in Philadelphia
Dark rum, bitters, and an egg white are topped with a syrup house-made from Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout.

3. Stout & Stormy

From Goat Town in New York City
Dark-and-stormy redux: a float of Keegan Ales Mother's Milk Stout replaces the usual rum.



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The Language of Beer
How Fattening Is Your Beer?
Really, Excellent Canned Beer