Rauchbier and Tropical Stout

Tropical Stouts follow much the same flavor pattern as Sweet Stouts, with far more raisin and plum-like sweetness and a heavier mouthfeel stemming from the higher alcohol content and local ingredients.

Chocolate and coffee aromatics are desirable, and licorice, molasses and dried fruit may also make a fleeting appearance. Despite the higher ABV and dark color, tropical stouts make for a refreshing spritzer on a hot day – fitting for a beverage originally pioneered in some of the most sweltering environs on our planet.

While similar related styles, specifically Foreign Extra Stout, those stouts are not tied to specific regions for the most part and showcase more herbaceous and earthy aromas, as opposed to the fruity sweetness that tropical stouts convey. Foreign Extras are drier, more bitter and evince less esters as well.

The rule of thumb for pairing stouts with food is that the beer should be sweeter than the dish. Luckily, in the case of tropical stouts, they are both sweeter and boozier than most of their dark beer brethren and are thus prime pairings for any number of dishes. Try a tropical stout with braised lamb shanks to accentuate the beer’s thick and filling mouthfeel, or enjoy with a gingerbread cookie fresh out of the oven to showcase the beer’s rounded sweetness.

STATS
OG: 1.056 – 1.075
IBU: 50 – 70
SRM: 30 – 40
ABV: 6.3 – 8.0%

Commercial Examples: ABC Extra Stout, Dragon Stout, Jamaica Stout, Lion Stout, Royal Extra Stout

Body Photo Credits: Ethan Prater/flickr (top) and lovelypantry.com (bottom)