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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Today’s Stouts and Porters

Stoutly Going Where No Beer Has Gone Before

Oatmeal Stout

This brew is a variation of sweet stout, with a small proportion of oats used in place of roasted malt, which has the effect of enhancing body and mouthfeel. They were originally brewed by the British in the earlier part of this century, when stouts were thought of as a nutritious part of an everyday diet. After having fallen from favor, the style was revived by the Yorkshire brewer Samuel Smith in 1980. They tend to be highly flavorful with a velvety texture and sometimes a hint of sweetness. Oatmeal stouts are now a very popular staple of the U.S. craft brewing scene.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

93 Oatmeal Stout, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown color with a copper cast. Complex aromas of banana, fig and carob custard have a hint of Play-doh and follow through on a soft, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with tangy cocoa-dusted peach and delicate spice notes. Finishes with a long, dusty, earthy hop-kissed finish. Very fruity and food affined.

92 St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, McAuslan Brewing Co. (Canada). 5.5% ABV (1/11)
Creamy milk chocolate-covered cherry and peach aromas and flavors with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a lively crème brûlée, apple skin and raisin toast finish. Nicely effortless and fruity.

90 Oatmeal Stout, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.1% ABV (1/09)
Dark brown color with a frothy tan head. Dark raisin toast, oatmeal and cream aromas follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with nice lingering roasted nut and chocolate notes. Excellent oatmeal character shines through in a very drinkable frame.

89 Martello Stout, Garrison Brewing Company (Canada). 4.8% ABV (1/10)
Dark brown black color with a lacy reddish tan head. Rich aromas of dark chocolate mousse, salted nuts, clay and savory roasted root vegetables follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with fine balance and a nicely astringent dark roasted coffee fade.

89 Grubstake Oatmeal Stout, Etna Brewing Co. (CA). 5.46% ABV (1/11)
Brown black color with a lacy head. Rich roasted nut, grain and burnt brown sugar aromas with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a long, succotash-accented finish.

88 Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (1/11)
Deep brown black color. Rich aromas of chocolate fondue, roasted nuts and figs with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a smooth, root vegetable and earth finish.

87 Oatmeal Stout, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 5.1% ABV (1/10)
Mild aromas of sautéed root vegetables, baker’s chocolate and salty, dark roasted nuts follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body brown sugar and porridge notes. Finishes with a long, dried fruit and nut twang.

84 ‘35 Extra Stout, Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 6.2% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown color with no head. Roasted pecan and chocolate aromas with a dry light-to-medium body and a stewed greens, gas station coffee and soy-accented finish.

83 Scaredy Cat Oatmeal Stout, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 6% ABV (1/11)
Opaque black brown and a light brown head. Aromas of waxy chocolate, grilled kale and baked beans with a dryish light-to-medium body and a tangy wafer, carob and grilled apple salad-accented finish.

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