Judge’s Review: 80 Rating – Sticky Stout by Red Hare Brewing Co.

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By Rick Franckhauser

Judges Rating: 80
Aroma: 21
Appearance: 4
Flavor: 32
Mouthfeel: 7
Overall Impression: 16

Sticky Stout by Red Hare Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP category 16B, Oatmeal Stout. 
Upon presentation the beer had a very large tan foamy head with big and small bubbles. The foam dropped quickly to a bubbly cap, not the creamy, long-lasting head expected for the style. The structure of the head leads me to expect that the beer has either been poorly handled in shipping or is infected with a wild yeast. The beer is a dark brown until held to the light where it reveals a lovely ruby hue and is very clear. The aroma provides a light coffee and dark toast with a little nutty character underneath. There is a touch of earthy hops and a very low-level woody note. There is nothing in the aroma that provides a sweet or creamy impression often found in the style. I’m not getting anything in the aroma that I was afraid might be there based on the frothy head.
The flavor starts with a subtle coffee and light chocolate followed by a nutty note. A very low hint of earthy kettle hops in the flavor. The balance is toward the bittering hops, aided by the roast, the high carb levels and a rather dry finish. Again, not hallmarks of the style. Some hints of dark fruit show up in the aftertaste but nothing that leads to a sweet impression. The beer is quite thin for an oatmeal stout. Not at all creamy or silky, in fact there is a sharpness via the high carb level, leaving a lingering prickle on the palate. 
After reviewing I was presented with the can, which was bulging to a dome on the top of the can. A second can was sent but had exploded in transit. I’m not sure what happed here but I expect the beer was exposed to some excessive heat in transit and or some yeast or other bug in the beer caused additional fermentation in the can resulting in the thin body and high carb levels. Having said all that, the beer was not bad. It didn’t smell or taste infected. The coffee and chocolate were pleasant and the nutty character was nice and reminiscent of the oats expected in the style. My score is based on what I happened to experience and should not be a reflection of the beer when it is in good condition. 
Conclusion, don’t take this review as what to expect from this beer. I fully expect that off the tap or out of a can that had not been mishandled, Sticky Oatmeal Stout is a fine example of the style. Find it and try it for yourself if you want to experience the beer as it was intended.