Stout is a dark beer. There are a number of variations including Baltic porter, milk stout, and imperial stout; the most common variation is dry stout. stout is a top-fermented beer. And with porter is a dark style of beer developed in London from well-hopped beers made from brown malt. The name was first recorded in the 18th century, and is thought to come from its popularity with street and river porters. The history and development of stout and porter are intertwined.