BJCP 2021 / 20B
American Stout
A bold, roasty and hoppy stout with strong coffee flavor and a dry finish.
- Drink fresh
- high strength
- dark color
- top fermented
- north america
Serve: 48 to 54F, Pint or tulip
OG1.120
1.050 to 1.075FG1.030
1.010 to 1.022IBU120
35 to 75SRM40
30 to 40ABV14%
5.0 to 7.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Roasted barley, coffee and dark chocolate
- American hop, citrus or pine, in the background
- Clean
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Coffee, roast and hop
- Best
- Moderate-high coffee, roasted barley and dark chocolate with low to moderate citrus or pine hop, clean yeast
Appearance
3 pts- Black
- Opaque
- Dense tan to brown head
- Vague
- Black
- Better
- Black with a tan head
- Best
- Black, opaque, dense tan to brown head with good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Coffee, roasted barley and dark chocolate
- Hop flavor and firm bitterness
- Dry, roasty finish
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Coffee and hop with a dry finish
- Best
- Moderate-high coffee, roast and dark chocolate with low to moderate citrus hop, high bitterness, dry roasty finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium to full body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium-full body, smooth
- Best
- Medium to full body, smooth and roasty, medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Roast and bitterness in balance
Drops it
- Burnt acrid roast
- Syrupy sweetness
Writing tip
Say what drives the finish. Example: 'Coffee and roasted barley with firm hop bitterness and a dry finish. Bold and clean.'
Pour these
- StoutSierra NevadaRoast and hop in harmony
- Obsidian StoutDeschutes BreweryCoffee and chocolate with a dry finish
Often confused with
- 15B Irish StoutIrish Stout is lighter and has little hop flavor
- 20C Imperial StoutImperial Stout is bigger and richer
Fine here
- Estery: Light dark-fruit esters are fine
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Harsh burnt roast
- Oxidized: Stale
- Diacetyl: Butter
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.