Guinness and St. Patrick’s Day go together like Easter and eggs, like Christmas and nog, like birthdays and Jagermeister. So we realize it’d be a sacrilege to suggest ignoring the creamy Irish stout on March 17.
An equal violation (in our book, at least) would be to limit your stout intake to one day a year. The dark beers are some of the most complex and delicious ales around.
With that in mind, we suggest giving other stouts–like these five, for example–a chance in the days leading up to St. Pat’s. (And we encourage you to try something other than Guinness’ slightly-less-popular but equally delicious Irish brethren Murphy’s and Beamish.)
Flat Iron Stout
“I like beer, and when I’m drinking it, I want to drink a few,” says Piece brewmaster Jonathon Cutler. With this mantra in mind, he’s crafted Flat Iron Stout, which has all of the roasted malt flavor traditionally associated with stouts, but less body and a lower alcohol content (between 3.5 and 4 percent). He’s also brewed it with a bit of oatmeal, giving it a slightly creamy and slick mouth feel. Order one when you sit down, and by the time your pizza arrives, you won’t be full (or wasted). 1927 W. North Ave. 773-772-4422.
Old Rasputin
Planning to sustain yourself on stout over St. Patrick’s Day weekend? Old Rasputin is not the beer for you. At 9 percent alcohol, the Russian imperial stout packs a punch, which, if you don’t pace yourself, will knock you out before you finish your Irish breakfast. (The brewhouse at California’s North Coast Brewing Co., which has produced the intense stout for the past 10 years, limits folks to two 10-ounce glasses.) The West Loop’s Beer Bistro serves Old Rasputin in 12-ounce bottles ($5.50), and manager Nick Thompson recommends pairing it with the restaurant’s popular mac and cheese dinner ($9.99), a five-cheese dish that’s as hearty as the stout. 1061 W. Madison St. 312-433-0013.
Goose Island Russian Imperial Stout
Slightly less potent than Old Rasputin, Goose Island’s Russian Imperial Stout (7.5 percent) is surprisingly drinkable, despite its relatively high alcohol level. Only available at the Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park brewpubs, the stout is served in a 10-ounce snifter ($5). In its current incarnation, the stout has chocolate and licorice notes, though in the coming months the pubs’ brewers plan to release a bourbon-barrel edition. 3535 N. Clark St. 773-832-9040; 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. 312-915-0071.
The Poet
Thank goodness for the Map Room’s beer-of-the-month special. It’s one of the best (and cheapest) ways to try new craft beers at Bucktown’s beer Mecca. This month’s selection, The Poet from New Holland brewery in Holland, Mich., is a creamy stout that’s not so full-bodied you’ll fill up after a pint ($3.50). 1949 N. Hoyne Ave. 773-252-7636.
Bell’s stouts
Someone at Bell’s Brewery loves stouts. The Michigan microbrewer produces five–Cherry, Double Cream, Kalamazoo, Java and Expedition–four of which are only available during the winter months (the Kalamazoo is brewed year-round). Cheers to Delilah’s, ground zero for beer and bourbon in Lincoln Park, for carrying the complete lineup. 2771 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-472-2771.
SWIMMING IN STOUT
OK, not literally, but at Goose Island’s annual StoutFest, you’ll be surrounded by 15 stouts from Illinois breweries (and likely Three Floyds from Munster, Ind., too). Most brewers will be on hand to discuss the beers at this casual tasting, which doubles as a benefit for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. 1 to 5 p.m. March 5. $30. 1800 N. Clybourn Ave. 312-915-0071.
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MMCGUIRE@TRIBUNE.COM
