Are you a beer lover?

Are you looking for a new beer to try, perhaps a stout?

What is a stout beer?  It is a dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley, hops, water and yeast. Stouts were traditionally the generic term for the strongest or stoutest porters, typically 7% to 8% or even higher as you will see.

According to a Beer Advocate 4 of the top 5 beers in Michigan our stouts.  Beer Advocate was founded in Boston in 1996 and has grown into a global, grassroots network, powered by an independent community of enthusiasts and professionals dedicated to supporting and promoting better beer.

Some of the stout beers have flavors including chocolate, coffee, cherries, and blueberry flavors.  These beers come with a punch with alcohol contents ranging from 8.3% to 12.4%.  The average alcohol content of beer is 4 - 6%.

In fact a few of the beers on the list are brewed right here in southwest and central Michigan. One is Plead the 5th Imperial Stout (11% ABV) from Dark Horse Brewing Co in Marshall you must know it is only brewed in December.  Another one is Cherry Stout (7% ABV) from Bell's Brewery in Comstock, made with Traverse City-area cherries.

The top Rated Beers in Michigan according to the Beer Advocate website are:

#1 Founders CBS Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Company

#2 Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) from Founders Brewing Company

#3 Bell's Black Note Stout from Bell's Brewery, Inc.

#4 Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Fourth Dementia from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

#5 Founders Breakfast Stout again from Founders Brewing Company

#6 Dark Horse Bourbon Barrel Aged Plead The 5th

#7 No Rules from Perrin Brewery

#8 Hopslam Ale from Bell's Brewery, Inc.

#9 Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

And

#10 Founders Imperial Stout Founders Brewing Company

So if you are looking for a new beer to try and you are a bit adventuress give a Michigan brewed beer a chance.  Remember though never drink and drive

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

The Live with Renk Show airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To let me know your thoughts during the show please call (269) 441-9595

More From 1240 WJIM AM