AleStout

Sweet Stout

A very dark, sweet, full-bodied, slightly roasty ale. Often tastes like sweetened espresso. Gravities are low in England, higher in exported and US products. Variations exist, with the level of residual sweetness, the intensity of the roast character, and the balance between the two being the variables most subject to interpretation.

Alcohol
4 - 6% ABV
3.2 - 4.7% ABW
IBU
25 - 40
International Bitterness Units
Color
30 - 40 SRM
59 - 79 EBC
Gravity
OG: 1.042 - 1.056
FG: 1.01 - 1.023

Appearance & Mouthfeel

Color
Very dark brown to black in color. Can be opaque (if not, it should be clear). Creamy tan to brown head.
Clarity
Very dark brown to black in color. Can be opaque (if not, it should be clear). Creamy tan to brown head.
Body
Medium-full to full-bodied and creamy. Low to moderate carbonation. High residual sweetness from unfermented sugars enhances the full-tasting mouthfeel.

Aroma & Flavor

Malt
Mild roasted grain aroma, sometimes with coffee and/or chocolate notes. An impression of cream-like sweetness often exists. Fruitiness can be low to moderately high. Diacetyl low to none. Hop aroma low to none. Dark roasted grains and malts dominate the flavor as in dry stout, and provide coffee and/or chocolate flavors. Hop bitterness is moderate (lower than in dry stout). Medium to high sweetness (often from the addition of lactose) provides a counterpoint to the roasted character and hop bitterness, and lasts into the finish. Low to moderate fruity esters. Diacetyl low to none. The balance between dark grains/malts and sweetness can vary, from quite sweet to moderately dry and somewhat roasty.

Technical Specs (Plato)

Original Gravity10.5 - 13.8 °P
Final Gravity2.6 - 5.8 °P