When the word stout comes up, most people think of Guinness and not much else. While they might not enjoy the popularity of the all-powerful light beers or even ales, pale ales and lagers, stout beers are beginning to step out of the shadows of obscurity. Here’s a few facts about stout beer that might surprise you.
Calorie Content
The dark color of stout beers suggests a high calorie content, but don’t judge a beer by its color. A 12 ounce bottle of Guinness has 125 calories. Not bad considering most light beers are between 90 and 100 calories. Budweiser has 143 and Coors Original has 148, and Sam Adams Boston Lager has 160. The alcohol content of a 12 ounce Guinness is also relatively low, at 4.3%.
Dark Horse
So how do stout beers get that dark color they are so well known for? The answer lies in the malt and the way it is roasted. Stout beer is made with a dark barley malt that is either roasted or kilned. While dark malt is present in most craft beers, it usually makes up only 1 to 5 percent of the total malt content. The dark malt content in stout beer is only slightly higher, but this is more than enough to change the color and flavor characteristics of the beer.
Flavors Galore
When was the last time you saw peanut butter flavored Bud Light? Sure, there’s Bud Light Lime, and even Bud Light Lime-A-Rita, but flavors for light beer are scarce. Stout beers are often brewed with delicious added flavors such as chocolate, peanut butter, and coffee, which work perfectly with its rich taste and complexion. There’s even oyster stouts if you’re so inclined, which are brewed with either the oyster shells or the whole oyster.
Want to learn more about stouts and other beers? We offer you one free bartending class so you can see what the Maryland Bartending Academy is all about. We have an open door policy with no obligation to enroll. And each of our instructors has years of bartending experience and knows the industry well. If you still need to know more, you can always request additional information.
Sources
http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/special_feature_300/336_guinness-5-things-you-didnt-know.html
http://www.foodrepublic.com/2012/12/27/getting-know-oyster-stout-beer-made-oysters
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