Beef and Stout Hot Pot

In this Beef and Stout Hot Pot, the rich flavor of dark stout beer enhances this beef version of the Lancashire hot pot stew, making it a hearty and comforting winter meal.

Stouts are my favorite kind of beer. They range from dark brown to black in color and typically taste of roasted grains, coffee, and chocolate. Their complex and intriguing flavor is perfect for winter and pairing with warm, deep-flavored dishes.

DARK BEERS ARE NOT ALWAYS HEAVY

A misconception that I often hear is that stouts are heavy beers. People assume that the dark color means more calories and higher alcohol. But in many cases, it can be the opposite. A stout can have fewer calories and a lower alcohol level than your favorite IPA. In reality, it's the alcohol level that dictates the number of calories in a beer. As with any beer, a range of flavors is often determined by the ingredients and methods used in the brewing process.

Yet, the confusion is understandable. The term stout was originally applied to any style of beer that was brewed strong. Theoretically, there could have been a stout pale ale at one point. That terminology has changed since it was first applied to beer in the 1600s. However, the stout porter, or strong porter beer, became known simply as a stout over time.

STOUTS VS PORTER

The difference between a stout and a porter is debatable today. There are porters stronger than stouts that are still considered porters. I haven't heard a clear differentiation, and for that reason, it would only be fair of me to say that I enjoy porters as much as stouts.

Varieties of stouts include milk stout, dry stout, chocolate stout, oatmeal stout, imperial stout, and oyster stout. Each has a fascinating history and flavor. The dry, or Irish stout, is the most well-known thanks to Guinness. As the name suggests, dry stouts have a drier taste than others, which might be surprising because when we think of a pint of Guinness, we think of the creamy head that appears upon pouring. But that's due to the addition of nitrogen from a propellant when poured from a keg or a widget that is now added to cans.

Naturally, I love to use stouts in winter cooking. When it comes to cooking with alcohol, whether beer, wine, or liquor, the most essential rule is only using what you want to drink. You want to like the flavor because the flavor intensifies as it cooks and reduces. The strength of the alcohol decreases, but its flavor notes increase. This is especially true when the alcohol cooks for an extended period, such as in a stew. A good stout adds complexity and depth, which I love about the beer in the first place, and I can think of no better place to use stout than in a slow-cooking stew.

WHAT IS THE ENGLISH (LANCASHIRE) HOT POT?

This is essentially a beef stew made with stout. It's called a hot pot because it is topped with a layer of potato slices, which is how the popular English dish, the Lancashire Hot Pot, is prepared. Lancashire is a northwestern England county where I spent a few months in college. The hot pot was my first meal after arriving and being invited to a nearby community dinner. I had never heard of the hot pot, but was happy for a free meal when adjusting to my new home for the semester.

Lancashire hot pot is typically made with lamb and a variety of vegetables. While this hot pot slightly differs from the Lancashire, where the liquid is usually just broth, the concept is the same. There's meat, vegetables, and a potato topping, and it's baked in a large pot in the oven. The stout adds an extra layer of flavor that makes a simple stew more interesting.

For other rustic, filling meals with big flavors, check out my Beans and Chorizo with Spinach, Rutabaga Pie, and Quinoa Sweet Potatoes.

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