Beer School

What Is An Oyster Stout? – Is It Made With Real Oysters?

What Is An Oyster Stout? Do Oyster Stouts have real oysters in them? Read this article to answer your questions about Oyster Stouts and see what beers pair best with them!

By The Beer Community on Aug. 17, 2017

What Is An Oyster Stout? – Is It Made With Real Oysters?

What is an Oyster Stout?

Oyster Stouts are a form of Stout Beer with the taste and aromas of Oyster. Stouts are dark, heavy beers that are semi-sweet in taste. They often carry chocolate, coffee, or caramel aromas. (Basically, liquified brownies.) Oyster Stouts are classified as “sweet stouts” of dark British Beers, much like cream stouts or milk stouts.

 

Food & Beer Pairings – Why Pair Oyster & Stout?

A lot of the time, Oysters are paired with a dry white wine, champagne or a pilsner. So, the thought of Oysters and a strong beer like a Stout, may seem a little off-putting. But really, Oysters & Stout are a classic beer and food pairing. Stout beers are usually a dark beer with chocolate, coffee aromas and a slightly mineral-like and bitter after taste. Oysters balance this out. The saltiness (brine) of the Oyster will complement the chocolate flavours in the Stout, making them pop. Then the sweetness in the oyster will reduce the bitter finish of the Stout.

 

Wondering what foods pair well with Stouts?
(Other than Oysters)

Check out 7 Foods That Pair Perfectly With Stouts and Porters

 

Does Oyster Stout Have Real Oysters In It?

Well, yes and no. Whether Oyster Stouts are made with real oysters, really depends on the brewer. Originally, Oyster Stout was made using oyster juice, but over time that changed. Now, during the production of Oyster Stouts, it’s common that brewers will opt to use either oyster shells or the entire oyster itself.

While real oysters are traditionally used in the brewing process to provide authentic flavour, some brewers will use artificial flavours in their Oyster Stout.

 

Now that you know what beer to pair with oysters, check out these other articles of food & beer pairings & BEER EDUCATION:

7 Foods That Pair Perfectly With Stouts and Porters

Beer & Food Pairings: The Best Beer and French Fry Pairings

What Is A Flight of Beer? – A Simple Guide To Beer Flights

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