# Time for dark beer - what's your's? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [October 26, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545 "2018-10-26T15:20:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/101 "2019-08-19T20:09:54Z")
In Michigan? Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout. Apart from the delicious beer inside the bottle, I used to laugh every time I looked at [the illustration of a slightly confused-and-irritated old man](http://aroundmichigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Bells-Kalamazoo-Stout.jpg) on the label; sadly, they’ve changed their label design. In Wisconsin? [Gray’s Oatmeal Stout.](http://www.graybrewing.com/graybeers.html) Not super-strong in ABV, but the flavor was lovely. I used to drink these on the UW-Madison memorial union lakefront terrace; it was heaven. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/102 "2019-08-20T10:39:53Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > You need to try the stuff in a can. It’s _not_ just a canned version of the bottle; it has their “widget” which dispenses the nitrogen when you open the can. It’s actually very, very good. I agree - the canned, widgeted Guinness is noticeably better than the bottled stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/103 "2019-08-20T11:58:00Z")
I might be imagining it, but for a while, didn’t bottled Guinness sold in the USA also had a nitrogen widget in the neck of the glass bottle? I also remember that the big 16 oz cans of Murphy’s also have (had?) the widget. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/104 "2019-08-20T12:43:47Z")
> [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > I might be imagining it, but for a while, didn’t bottled Guinness sold in the USA also had a nitrogen widget in the neck of the glass bottle? > > I also remember that the big 16 oz cans of Murphy’s also have (had?) the widget. There are two bottled versions: one that’s a bit taller and slender, I think it even may be 11.2 fl oz (don’t quote me on that), and that one has the nitro and pours like a regular Guinness. The other comes in 12 oz bottles that are shorter, and is labeled as extra stout I think. That is carbonated not nitro. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/105 "2019-08-20T13:37:08Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > There are two bottled versions: one that’s a bit taller and slender, I think it even may be 11.2 fl oz (don’t quote me on that), and that one has the nitro and pours like a regular Guinness. The other comes in 12 oz bottles that are shorter, and is labeled as extra stout I think. That is carbonated not nitro. There are several versions available. I have both Extra Stout and Foreign Extra Stout at home. FES is in a yellow-orangeish label, 11.2 oz, brewed in Dublin, and is 7.5% alcohol by volume. Extra Stout is in a cream colored label, 11.2 oz, brewed in Dublin, and is 5.6 by volume. Neither have the widget. They also make a 200 year anniversary stout, that is in red, white, and blue labelling, and 6% by volume. I don’t have the bottle in front of me, unfortunately, so I don’t remember where those were brewed, or what size their bottles were. I guess there’s a 250 year anniversary stout too, which I’ve not had. Neither of those have the widget either. The 200 year is my favorite of all of them, though a properly drawn pint of regular Guinness is awesome in it’s own right. Perfect for staying coherent during a long pub quiz night. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/106 "2019-08-20T13:56:17Z")
The one with the widget is the bottles of Guinness Draught. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/107 "2019-08-20T14:05:32Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The one with the widget is the bottles of Guinness Draught. I’ll have to look for them, next time I’m at the store. I’ve seen the cans with the widget, but never in bottles. Making me thirsty. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/108 "2019-08-20T14:21:58Z")
> [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > I might be imagining it, but for a while, didn’t bottled Guinness sold in the USA also had a nitrogen widget in the neck of the glass bottle? > > I also remember that the big 16 oz cans of Murphy’s also have (had?) the widget. There are several like this. Boddington’s is another can w/widget. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/109 "2019-08-20T14:24:32Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > There are several like this. Boddington’s is another can w/widget. And Old Speckled Hen! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/110 "2019-08-20T14:29:56Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > There are several like this. Boddington’s is another can w/widget. “Bottled” is the key word here. Yes, plenty of nitro cans. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/111 "2019-08-20T14:52:22Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I’ll have to look for them, next time I’m at the store. I’ve seen the cans with the widget, but never in bottles. > > Making me thirsty. Yeah, around here the popularity is Draught cans, Draught bottles, and extra stout bottles, in that order. Foreign stout is pretty hit-or-miss if you’ll find it. My usual stores don’t carry it but carry the others. I prefer the Draught cans, partly because they’re 14.9 oz instead of the 11.2 oz of the bottles. The cans are sold in packs of 4 or 8, though; the bottles in 6 or 12. ---
**Author:** ![Onthefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@Onthefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onthefly)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/112 "2019-08-20T15:17:05Z")
In order Westbrook Mexican Cake Terrapin Moo Hoo Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout Founders Breakfast Stout Terrapin Wake n Bake Dragons Milk Probably some others that I am unable to recall ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/113 "2019-08-20T16:32:53Z")
Dark beer? It’s for [thick-necked guys named Günter!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f9J77sEkMI) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2019, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/114 "2019-08-21T05:33:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Foreign stout is pretty hit-or-miss if you’ll find it. My usual stores don’t carry it but carry the others. [Foreign Export Stout](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16004/42282/?ba=Cawdog)is brewed under license to Anchor Brewing (no relation to Anchor Steam) in Malaysia, and is quite popular with working class local malays. Haven’t had it for decades and only had a bottle or two. Personally I didn’t like it. In general, I don’t like beers with that much octane (~7%). I’m sipping a Guinness Draught with the nitrogen widget. It’s a good beer. As a homebrewer, I have always like Charlie Papazian’s Sparrow Hawk Porter (with extra hops) recipe from his first Joy of Homebrewing book. I still brew it occasionally 25+ years after first being captivated by the description. A recipe that has stood the test of time ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/115 "2019-08-22T08:55:37Z")
Samuel Smith’s, either Imperial Stout or Oatmeal Stout. Ales, actually, not beers. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/116 "2019-08-22T11:34:03Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Samuel Smith’s, either Imperial Stout or Oatmeal Stout. Ales, actually, not beers. Ales are beers. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/117 "2019-08-22T12:09:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Ales are beers. Thank you. > [@Wikipedia](#): > > Ale is a type of beer brewed using a warm fermentation method, resulting in a sweet, full-bodied and fruity taste. Historically, the term referred to a drink brewed without hops. As with most beers, ale typically has a bittering agent to balance the malt and act as a preservative. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/118 "2019-08-22T20:45:21Z")
I’ve lately been into a local one here in Detroit. Vanilla Java Porter by Atwater. > **[Vanilla Java Porter - Atwater Brewery](https://www.atwaterbeer.com/beer/vanilla-java-porter/)** > > ABV 5%    |    IBU: 13 STYLE: English Porter COLOR: Deep Brown AVAILABLE: Year Round Originally blended for the working class in Central London, English Style Porters give nod to the masses, mixing traditional old style ales with... ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/119 "2020-01-29T02:15:34Z")
Bumping this thread to report a return visit to Bend, where the current edition of The Abyss was aged in cognac barrels. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545/120 "2020-01-29T03:14:58Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > Bumping this thread to report a return visit to Bend, where the current edition of The Abyss was aged in cognac barrels. Yum! My local pub, The Flying Saucer (Garland, TX), had it on tap the last two weeks. I think I may have had beers that compete, but I don’t remember them! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-dark-beer-whats-yours/823545.md?page=7)