There's a reason why stout never really goes out of fashion. Deep, dark and endlessly varied, it's a beer that rewards slow sipping and savouring the moment, whether you're after something silky and sessionable or a rich, roasty sipper for a cold night in. But with so many brilliant dark beers brewed across Britain, which ones deserve a place in your glass?
We've put together our guide to the best stout UK drinkers can pick up right now, from a classic dry stout to a dessert-worthy chocolate stout. And yes, we're a little biased: we've put our own Saltaire Triple Choc right at the top of the list
A Quick Style Guide: What Makes a Stout a Stout?
Before we get to the list, a short primer. Stout grew out of porter in 18th-century London, and the name originally meant a "stout porter", simply a stronger version. Today, "stout" covers a wide family of dark beers, all built on roasted malt or roasted barley that gives the colour and those signature coffee, cocoa and toast flavours.
The main styles you'll come across:
- Dry stout: Lean, bitter and roasty, with coffee and dark chocolate notes. Usually lower in ABV and very drinkable.
- Oatmeal stout: Oats add a smooth, silky body and a softer, rounder finish.
- Milk (sweet) stout: Brewed with lactose, which adds a gentle sweetness and creamy texture.
- Chocolate stout: Uses chocolate malt, cocoa or real chocolate for a dessert-leaning, cocoa-rich profile.
- Imperial stout: Bigger, bolder and stronger, with intense dark fruit, treacle and roast.
- Breakfast stout: Often brewed with coffee and oats for a morning-after-the-night-before richness.
Keep those in mind and the list below will make even more sense.
The Best Stouts in the UK
1. Saltaire Triple Chocolate Stout (4.8% ABV)
We'll start with the one we know best. Saltaire Triple Choc is a chocolate stout UK fans keep coming back to, and it's the pride of our dark beers range here in Shipley, West Yorkshire. As the name suggests, chocolate is layered in three ways, giving a beer that feels indulgent without ever being cloying.
Tasting notes: Pour it and you'll find a jet-black body topped with a creamy tan head. The nose is pure dark chocolate and roasted coffee. On the palate expect silky cocoa, a hint of espresso bitterness, and a smooth, lingering finish that tastes like the last square of a good chocolate bar.
Why it makes the list: At 4.8% it's rich but balanced, and it's genuinely versatile. It's equally good with a chocolate brownie, a wedge of strong blue cheese, or just a quiet evening. If you want one best craft stout to introduce a friend to the style, this is it.
2. Guinness Draught (4.2% ABV)
You can't talk about stout without nodding to the icon. Guinness Draught is the benchmark dry stout, famous for its creamy nitrogenated texture and the cascading pour.
Tasting notes: Roasted barley, coffee and a touch of bitterness, with a smooth, light-bodied finish. It's not a British brewery, but it's the reference point against which every other stout is measured.
3. Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (5.0% ABV)
Brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, this one is a masterclass in smoothness. Oats lend a velvety mouthfeel that makes it a favourite among stout lovers who like things silky.
Tasting notes: Milk chocolate, light coffee and a gentle sweetness, with a soft, rounded finish.
4. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout (7.0% ABV)
Turning up the intensity, Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is a big, full-bodied beer with serious depth.
Tasting notes: Dark fruit, treacle, bitter chocolate and roast. It's one to sip slowly, perhaps with a book and a log fire.
5. Orkney Dark Island (4.6% ABV)
From the far north of Scotland, Dark Island is a rich, malty dark beer with a loyal following and a reputation for award wins over the years.
Tasting notes: Dark fruit, chocolate and a nutty roast, balanced by a dry finish.
How to Choose the Right Stout for You
Not sure where to begin? A few simple pointers:
- New to stout? Start with something smooth and rounded, like Saltaire Triple Choc or an oatmeal stout.
- Love dessert? Go for a chocolate stout and pair it with brownies, ice cream or a cheese board.
- Want a big sipper? An imperial stout is the one for slow evenings.
- After a session beer? Choose a classic dry stout around 4 to 4.5% ABV.
Serving temperature matters too. Straight from a fridge, a stout can taste flat and muted. Let it sit for ten minutes or so, ideally aiming for cellar temperature, and the chocolate and coffee notes really open up.
Explore Saltaire's Dark Beers Collection
Triple Choc is just one part of what we do with dark beer at Saltaire Brewery. Our dark beers collection is built for people who appreciate depth of flavour, from smooth, chocolatey stouts to roasty, warming porters. Every beer is brewed with care in West Yorkshire, using traditional methods and a genuine love for the craft.
If you're hunting for an award winning stout, a go-to dark beer UK drinkers can rely on, or simply a new favourite to keep in the cupboard, browse our full dark range here and see what takes your fancy.
Final Pour
The UK's stout scene has never been more exciting, with heritage breweries and new craft names all pushing the style in different directions. Whichever you choose, you're in for something rich, roasty and rewarding.
But if you want our recommendation, there's only one place to begin: pour a glass of Saltaire Triple Choc, let it warm for a few minutes, and take that first sip. Cheers!