Judge’s Review: 93 Rating – Elbow Patches by The Virginia Beer Co.

Oatmeal Stout | Year-Round | United States

By Pat Mulloy

Judges Rating: 93
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 38
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

This beer smells like my last breakfast: fresh oatmeal, mild roast, traces of city roast coffee, a hint of nuts and a mild sweetness suggesting coffee and cream. The beer drops bright dark brown with light brown highlights around the edges kicking up a 1” dark tan blanket of foam with good retention. It drinks silky rich with a creaminess that has you coming back for more and a slight slickness from the oats. Oats and roast balance perfectly, seasoned with mild coffee and hints of toasted bread crust, dark dried fruit ending in a lingering mild roast coffee and creamy oat finish with a mildly astringent bitterness. This straddles the line between British and American Oatmeal stouts – not as fruity as the former nor as bitter as the latter establishing a place all its own – and a very fine place at that. You want to drink this beer for its balance of flavor and rich, luscious texture.