Belhaven Black Nitro Scottish Stout 4Pk Cans

Belhaven Black Nitro Scottish Stout 4Pk Cans is a nitrogen-infused Scottish stout at 4.2% ABV, brewed at Scotland's oldest working brewery. Voted Scotland's Best Stout at the 2024 Scottish Beer Awards, this nitro-charged dark ale stands apart with its cascading pour and genuinely creamy body built from a four-malt grain bill of 100% Scottish-grown barley.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland  |  Style: Nitro Stout  |  Brewery: Belhaven Brewery (est. 1719)

Production & Heritage

Belhaven Brewery was founded in 1719 in the coastal town of Dunbar, East Lothian, making it the oldest continuously operating brewery in Scotland. Belhaven Black is brewed with pure Scottish water and a blend of four malts — Pale, Crystal, Chocolate, and Roasted barley — all sourced from locally grown Scottish barley. Challenger hops provide a clean, restrained bitterness that lets the malt character lead, while the nitrogen infusion in these cans produces the signature cascading bubble effect and velvety mouthfeel that distinguishes it from CO2-carbonated stouts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted malt dominates the nose, joined by layers of caramel, coffee, and a faint thread of vanilla. A subtle smokiness emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is remarkably smooth, opening with chocolate malt and roasted grain before a wave of coffee and caramel develops at mid-palate. A gentle herbal spiciness from the Challenger hops builds toward the back end, balancing the malt sweetness without overpowering it. The nitro carbonation keeps the texture pillowy and full across the palate.

Finish: Dry and coffee-like with lingering roast character and a whisper of dark chocolate. The smokiness that appeared on the nose returns here, adding depth as the finish trails off at moderate length.

How to Drink Belhaven Black

Pour hard into a tulip pint glass to activate the nitrogen cascade — let the surge settle fully before drinking. This stout is at its best served cold at around 42–46°F, where the creamy texture and roasted malt flavors are most pronounced. A Black Velvet — equal parts stout and dry sparkling wine — highlights the beer's smoothness with effervescent contrast. A Stout Float using a scoop of vanilla ice cream plays beautifully off the chocolate and coffee notes. For a cocktail-forward approach, a Black and Stormy — blending stout with ginger beer and a measure of dark rum — leverages the roasty, spiced character.

Best For

• Introducing a Guinness drinker to a more malt-forward Scottish alternative
• Watching rugby or football on a cold evening with friends
• Pairing alongside a hearty steak-and-ale pie supper
• Building a stout tasting flight at a casual dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Belhaven Black taste like? Belhaven Black leads with roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee flavors wrapped in a creamy, nitrogen-smooth body. A dry, slightly smoky finish and gentle hop bitterness keep it balanced and highly drinkable at 4.2% ABV.

How does Belhaven Black compare to Guinness? Both are nitrogen-infused dark stouts, but Belhaven Black uses a four-malt Scottish barley bill that delivers a noticeably fuller, more chocolate-forward and smoky character than Guinness Draught. In consumer testing, purchase intent was nearly identical — 60% for Belhaven versus 62% for Guinness — suggesting drinkers find the two closely matched in overall appeal.

Is Belhaven Black good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the nitrogen infusion creates a smooth, low-carbonation mouthfeel that makes it a natural sipper, and the 4.2% ABV is sessionable enough for multiple pints without heaviness.

Where is Belhaven Black made? Belhaven Black is brewed at Belhaven Brewery in Dunbar, East Lothian, on Scotland's southeastern coast, a site that has been home to brewing since 1719.

What foods pair well with Belhaven Black? Grilled beef burgers benefit from the beer's roasted depth; aged cheddar echoes its caramel malt sweetness; smoked salmon mirrors the subtle smokiness on the finish; dark chocolate desserts amplify the chocolate malt notes; and traditional Scottish stovies or shepherd's pie match the stout's hearty, malty backbone.

What sizes does Belhaven Black come in? This product is available as a 4-pack of cans, and the stout is also commonly found on draught in pubs across Scotland and beyond.

Is Belhaven Black worth the price? Belhaven Black positions as a premium everyday stout — competitively priced against other nitrogen-infused imports while delivering a more complex malt profile than most mass-market options in the category.

Why Belhaven Black?

Few stouts can claim both a 305-year brewing heritage and a current award for best in class — Belhaven Black earned Scotland's Best Stout at the 2024 Scottish Beer Awards and previously took Silver at the 2018 World Beer Awards. The four-malt grain bill of Pale, Crystal, Chocolate, and Roasted barley creates genuine complexity rarely found at 4.2% ABV, while the Challenger-hop bittering stays deliberately minimal so the malt speaks first. The nitrogen widget in each can faithfully replicates the draught experience at home, producing a thick, persistent head and a cascading pour that signals exactly what follows: a creamy, full-bodied stout rooted in Scottish tradition.