hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Golden Stout

Tap to rate

Coffee, chocolate and vanilla meet the roasty flavors of a stout in a beer that skips the traditional stout look. A carefully calibrated blend of Better Buzz coffee, Ghanaian cocoa nibs and vanilla beans builds its signature, alongside Columbus hops, in this 7.5% Golden Stout. The brewery set out to break the visual rules of a stout without sacrificing what makes a stout worth drinking. Silver at the 2024 World Beer Cup and Bronze in 2026, both in Coffee Beer.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
PaceSipper

AWARDS

Silver · 2024
World Beer Cup
Coffee Beer
Bronze · 2026
World Beer Cup
Coffee Beer
Bronze · 2021
Great American Beer Festival
Coffee Beer
Silver · 2020
San Diego International Beer Competition
Coffee Beer
Bronze · 2022
San Diego International Beer Competition
Coffee Beer
★Silver — World Beer Cup (Coffee Beer)
★Bronze — World Beer Cup (Coffee Beer)
★Bronze — Great American Beer Festival (Coffee Beer)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatevanillacoffee
chocolate
vanilla
coffee
roasted
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent notes of specialty coffee and roasted grain, immediately followed by rich Ghanaian cocoa and a gentle vanilla sweetness that softens the darker aromatics.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Golden Stout

◎ Appearance

Golden Stout presents a striking golden-amber hue that defies the traditional dark expectation of the stout category. The beer displays excellent clarity with a bright, translucent quality, topped by a persistent white head that clings to the glass with notable lacing. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined visual presence that signals the brewery's deliberate departure from style convention.

golden-amberbright claritypersistent white headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent notes of specialty coffee and roasted grain, immediately followed by rich Ghanaian cocoa and a gentle vanilla sweetness that softens the darker aromatics. Columbus hops contribute a subtle earthiness and mild spice that frames rather than dominates the composition. The overall aromatic profile is cohesive and well-balanced, inviting further exploration without any single element overshadowing the blend.

coffee-forwardcocoa nibsvanilla sweetnessroasted grainsubtle hop spice

◐ Taste

The palate opens with smooth chocolate and coffee notes that build into a rich, roasted character supported by the beer's 7.5% ABV. Vanilla emerges mid-palate, providing a creamy sweetness that complements rather than masks the darker malt foundation. Bitterness arrives with measured restraint at 40 IBU, offering structure without aggression; the finish remains full-bodied and satisfying without heavy astringency.

chocolate-cocoacoffee depthvanilla creaminessbalanced bitternesssmooth mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The finish is medium to long, with coffee and chocolate lingering gently on the palate while the roasted character gradually fades. A subtle vanilla note persists in the aftertaste, leaving an impression of smoothness rather than dryness.

coffee-chocolate persistencesmooth fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
Serve at 10–14°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within a year. Standard stouts are best fresh but hold reasonably well for 6–12 months.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Golden Stout

More from Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Aurora Hoppyalis
Aurora Hoppyalis
IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Boat Shoes
Boat Shoes
Hazy IPA
7.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Boat Shoes Hazy IPA
Boat Shoes Hazy IPA
Hazy IPA
6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Field Trip
Field Trip
Hazy IPA
6.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Follow the Sun Lager
Follow the Sun Lager
Pale Lager
4.8%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Karl Strauss Tower 10 IPA
Karl Strauss Tower 10 IPA
American IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Mosaic IPA
Mosaic IPA
IPA
5.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
O.G. Amber
O.G. Amber
Amber Lager
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About White Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a White Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar White Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, vanilla, coffee character as Golden Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →