Coffee Oatmeal Stout

Roasted coffee beans with a note of espresso and a touch of dark chocolate should hit you once the beer is poured. This is followed by some supporting caramel notes and a moderate malt character of bread, toast and biscuit. There is a faint hint of anise in the background along with a touch of earthiness from the hops. The coffee character of the beer does not dominate the other flavors and aromas, but rather it works in harmony to add to the complexity without being overwhelming. I can appreciate the malt complexity supported by some earthy, woody hops and a medium-low bitterness for balance. Oatmeal will typically add dextrins to enhance the body and create a characteristic silky mouthfeel, but this beer does not appear to deliver that experience. The body is more on the side of medium-light with a fairly dry, roasty finish; the creamy, silky mouthfeel is absent. Otherwise, the design of this beer allows it to be surprisingly approachable, and it does not come across as heavy or muddled as many beers in this genre may be. Additionally, the restraint shown on the coffee is nice if you want to avoid the jittery effect caffeinated beers may have on you. This is a great beer for a cold afternoon or an after-dinner treat.