BJCP 20B · American Porter and Stout
American Stout
A black, fairly strong and very roasty stout with coffee and bitter chocolate flavors and American hops you can pick out in the aroma and bitterness.
American Stout by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 5.0 – 7.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 35 – 75 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 30 – 40 SRM59–79 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.050 – 1.075on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.022on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Stout is like
A black, full-bodied, very roasty stout where coffee and bitter chocolate share the stage with assertive American hops. It's more intense than an Irish Stout in every way: roast, bitterness and alcohol.
Appearance
Black or very dark brown, opaque. Thick tan to light brown head with good retention.
Aroma
Intense coffee and dark chocolate roast, sometimes with a touch of burnt malt. The hops, low to moderate and often citrusy or resinous, come through above the roast.
Flavor
Moderate to high roast, with coffee, bitter chocolate and a malty background. Medium to high bitterness, reinforced by the roast and the hops. The finish is dry to medium-dry, with a coffee and hop aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full body and medium to high carbonation. May have some astringency from the roast and a light alcohol warmth in stronger versions.
Where American Stout comes from
It emerged in American craft brewing as a home-grown take on British and Irish stouts, with more American hops and more roast. It shares ground with American Porter, but it's more bitter and roastier.
Ingredients
American pale ale malt with roasted barley, black patent and chocolate malt; caramel malt, oats or wheat can be added for body. American hops, often citrusy, and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Stout at home
Use roasted barley and chocolate malt generously, but don't overdo the black patent, which adds a harsh burnt note. Mash at 66-67 °C (151-153 °F) and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). If your water is very soft, the roasted grains can drop the mash pH too far: a little baking soda or calcium carbonate helps.
Food pairing
Goes well with burgers, chili con carne and dark chocolate desserts.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Sierra Nevada Stout
- Rogue Shakespeare Stout
- North Coast Old No. 38 Stout
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Stout?
Between 5.0% and 7.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is American Stout?
It has 35 to 75 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Stout?
Black: 30 to 40 SRM (59 to 79 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Stout?
Goes well with burgers, chili con carne and dark chocolate desserts.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Porter, Foreign Extra Stout and Black IPA.
If you like American Stout, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Stout guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.