When the temperatures drop the beer turns darker. And our state is in no shortage of rich, dark, flavorful beers. Whether they are made with chocolate, coffee, cocoa, or any other flavor a brewer can imagine, they are the perfect compliment to the chill in the air. Below are the top 5 ranked Stouts within the state of Pennsylvania according to Untappd. (One beer listed per brewery, still in production with more than 1,500 check-ins for purpose of variety)

Let’s look at the list…

1. Grande Negro Voodoo Papi | Voodoo Brewery

Topping the list is Grande Negro Voodoo Papi by Voodoo Brewery. This Barrel Room Collection is a 12.5% ABV stout brewed with local maple syrup, organic cocoa nibs, cinnamon, Serrano chili peppers, and Madagascar vanilla beans aged in bourbon barrels.

Drinkers will find a heavy cinnamon up front with a lot of sweetness early on. A slight bitterness from the chocolate soon follow behind it. A good amount of pepper heat from midway through all the way to the finish lingers.

2. Only Void | Tired Hands

Second on the list is Only Void (Single Origin Ethiopian Coffee) by Tired Hands out of Ardmore, PA. The brewery has released multiple variants of this beer throughout the years. And their version brewed with Single Origin Ethiopian Coffee is tops.

This beer pours to a jet black (almost motor oil) color with a moderate dark colored head. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, mocha, cinnamon, and coffee beans flood your taste buds once you take a sip. You will notice just a touch of vanilla on the backend, with moderate carbonation. This is not your everyday stout, it’s clear Tired Hands thought outside the box on this one.

3. Black Clouds – Breakfast  | Dancing Gnome

The number three stout from Pennsylvania is Black Clouds – Breakfast by Dancing Gnome out of Pittsburgh. Black Clouds Breakfast is a variant of their tradtional Imperial Stout. They added Wisconsin maple syrup, whole vanilla beans, and fresh locally roasted coffee for a fully balanced meal in a glass.

Coming in at 10%, Black Clouds is super thick and chewy, with a slight roasted dark chocolate character and a semi-sweet finish. Undetectable alcohol with a soft, warming sensation on the finish. Big coffee aroma and flavor with vanilla and slight maple seeping through at the end.

4. Nitro S’mores | Southern Tier Brewing

Coming in at number four on the list is Nitro S’mores from Southern Tier Brewing Company. This rich, smooth Imperial Milk Stout is brewed at 10% ABV with chocolate, graham cracker, and vanilla flavors added. Poured on Nitro for a smooth and creamy finish.

5. Sunny Side Up | Pizza Boy

Rounding out the list at number five is Sunny Side Up by Pizza Boy Brewing. This rich, smooth oatmeal Imperial Stout is brewed at 9.5% ABV brimming with locally sourced coffee from Little Amps in Harrisburg.

You’ll get roasted coffee aromas right off the glass. The heavily roasted, nutty malt taste comes first, with the coffee soon to follow, which is much more dry and bitter than what the aroma suggests.

Do you agree with the list? What’s in your top 5?