Lovely, Dark and Deep

Oatmeal Stout | Seasonal | United States

By Michael McGuire

Judges Rating: 87
Aroma: 18
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 18

This beer poured black with a thick tan head with adequate retention. The aroma, however, was fairly neutral even after warming, with only a slightly dark and base malt nose. The style came alive, appropriately, in the flavor profile, which consisted of slightly sweet dark malt (without distinctive roast, chocolate or coffee flavors), oats, and plenty of fruity esters. Hops are used for bittering only, rather than for flavoring. The oats contribute strongly to the silky and creamy mouthfeel that lingers through the finish. This is a clean beer without any off-flavors.
In some ways this beer tasted like a fine schwarzbier brewed with oats and fermented with ale yeast. In other words, this is a very well-made dark beer that does not taste like other oatmeal stouts, even excellent ones. As such, it rewards drinkers willing to stretch their notion of that style.