Sless' Oatmeal Stout
Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- English Oatmeal Stout
Ranked #121 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #13,693 - Avg:
- 3.95 | pDev: 8.35%
- Reviews:
- 31
- Ratings:
- From:
- Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 2
- Gots
- 5
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
Reviews: 31
| Ratings: 60
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4.03/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured into a Stone Brewery flute. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, nearly opaque in the glass with a half finger light brown head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, hints of molasses and dark dried fruit. Flavor is dark toasted malt with a hint of char, cocoa and milk chocolate, drip coffee, mild dried dark stone fruit, dates. The coffee and chocolate flavors develop more clearly into a quite pleasant mocha finish. Medium bodied with light creaminess. Interesting flavor progression from lightly charred malt into the chocolate coffee flavor which leaves a nice lingering aftertaste. The hints of dark fruit make this taste a little more like a fruit influenced porter than a stout, but it definitely has enough good toasted malt to qualify and a stout. A very nicely made stout that has a little bit of an off-beat flavor profile. I like this quite a bit.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured into a Stone Brewery flute. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, nearly opaque in the glass with a half finger light brown head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, hints of molasses and dark dried fruit. Flavor is dark toasted malt with a hint of char, cocoa and milk chocolate, drip coffee, mild dried dark stone fruit, dates. The coffee and chocolate flavors develop more clearly into a quite pleasant mocha finish. Medium bodied with light creaminess. Interesting flavor progression from lightly charred malt into the chocolate coffee flavor which leaves a nice lingering aftertaste. The hints of dark fruit make this taste a little more like a fruit influenced porter than a stout, but it definitely has enough good toasted malt to qualify and a stout. A very nicely made stout that has a little bit of an off-beat flavor profile. I like this quite a bit.
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4.46/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I really like this. nice baker's chocolate bitterness, but still some smoothness in there. not quite as silky as I expect from an oatmeal but this is very flavorful and smooth. lots of chocolate and leaves a stickiness on the lips. long sweet aftertaste.....
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I really like this. nice baker's chocolate bitterness, but still some smoothness in there. not quite as silky as I expect from an oatmeal but this is very flavorful and smooth. lots of chocolate and leaves a stickiness on the lips. long sweet aftertaste.....
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4/5 rDev +1.3%
$4.50 for a 22oz at Whole Foods is not that bad of a price for locally sourced beer.
It is a deep, dark black stout. There is definitely a milky, almost chocolate sweetness to this brew.
Nice and crisp. I would have it again.
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$4.50 for a 22oz at Whole Foods is not that bad of a price for locally sourced beer.
It is a deep, dark black stout. There is definitely a milky, almost chocolate sweetness to this brew.
Nice and crisp. I would have it again.
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3.21/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle.
Opaque chocolate colour. Effervescent. The smell is flat and neutral, but not entirely unpleasant. Hint of both metal and milk chocolate.
It's a hair above average. Standard fare here, really, and the 7% is surprising. Sweetish and creamy smooth. I highly enjoy the mouthfeel. The flavor is brief and relatively unimpressive.
I'd not have again, but certainly wouldn't steer you away.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle.
Opaque chocolate colour. Effervescent. The smell is flat and neutral, but not entirely unpleasant. Hint of both metal and milk chocolate.
It's a hair above average. Standard fare here, really, and the 7% is surprising. Sweetish and creamy smooth. I highly enjoy the mouthfeel. The flavor is brief and relatively unimpressive.
I'd not have again, but certainly wouldn't steer you away.
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3.76/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, toasted oat, cocoa, and slight soy sauce aromas. Taste is much the same with roasted malt, oatmeal, and cocoa powder flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roast bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a nice oat and cocoa combination all around.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, toasted oat, cocoa, and slight soy sauce aromas. Taste is much the same with roasted malt, oatmeal, and cocoa powder flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roast bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp smooth mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a nice oat and cocoa combination all around.
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3.53/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is dark with a dark tan head, nice sheets of foamy lace.
Smell is of milk chocolate.
Taste is also lots of milk chocolate, firm roast and bitterness.
Mouthfeel has lots of creamy carbonation but is not as soft I expected from the oatmeal.
Drinkability is fine, nothing exciting. Thick, smooth and strong.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is dark with a dark tan head, nice sheets of foamy lace.
Smell is of milk chocolate.
Taste is also lots of milk chocolate, firm roast and bitterness.
Mouthfeel has lots of creamy carbonation but is not as soft I expected from the oatmeal.
Drinkability is fine, nothing exciting. Thick, smooth and strong.
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3.47/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
The classic near-black color with a beige head in the Stella glass. Pleasant nose of roasted malt. Warm flavors but balanced with the deep dark malt.
Rather winey with a fuller body. Tastes more like a Baltic Porter than a Stout, but it's quite flavorful whatever it is. Richer and sweeter than you'd expect in a Stout. Burnt sugar and blackened malt dominate, followed by a charred, bitterish aftertaste. Brewery says the hops are Nugget and Brewer’s Gold.
Not a bad brew, and for a stronger black beer it makes a nice change. Seems to taste better after a glassful. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Beer Revolution in Oakland.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
The classic near-black color with a beige head in the Stella glass. Pleasant nose of roasted malt. Warm flavors but balanced with the deep dark malt.
Rather winey with a fuller body. Tastes more like a Baltic Porter than a Stout, but it's quite flavorful whatever it is. Richer and sweeter than you'd expect in a Stout. Burnt sugar and blackened malt dominate, followed by a charred, bitterish aftertaste. Brewery says the hops are Nugget and Brewer’s Gold.
Not a bad brew, and for a stronger black beer it makes a nice change. Seems to taste better after a glassful. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Beer Revolution in Oakland.
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4.14/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A - Bitter baking chocolate, malts and dark fruit
S - Dark as night with a tight brown head
T - creamy dark chocolate, coffee, maits and a hint of fruit. Mild overall, not over powering
M - light coating with a pop like tingle on sides of tongue
O - Very tasty but mild overall. It could use a little volume increase while keeping the same flavors.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A - Bitter baking chocolate, malts and dark fruit
S - Dark as night with a tight brown head
T - creamy dark chocolate, coffee, maits and a hint of fruit. Mild overall, not over powering
M - light coating with a pop like tingle on sides of tongue
O - Very tasty but mild overall. It could use a little volume increase while keeping the same flavors.
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4.23/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the brewery, review from written notes.
Pours black with a creamy head of tan foam, sheets of lace that break up in a spotty, precipitous fashion. Nice head retention, the whipped cappuccino foam never subsides for the duration of the glass.
Aromas of dark roast coffee, chicory, dry bakers chocolate.
Plum, dates, dark roast coffee, a little bit woody. Lightly bitter and mildly astringent from the roast, bitter dry finish suggests a smidgen of hops. Exquisitely roasty, dry aftertaste of blackened malt. Smooth velvety feel, dry and not sweet. Rich and full of flavor, pint is finished easily, and another would make a nice session. Growler candidate for sure.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the brewery, review from written notes.
Pours black with a creamy head of tan foam, sheets of lace that break up in a spotty, precipitous fashion. Nice head retention, the whipped cappuccino foam never subsides for the duration of the glass.
Aromas of dark roast coffee, chicory, dry bakers chocolate.
Plum, dates, dark roast coffee, a little bit woody. Lightly bitter and mildly astringent from the roast, bitter dry finish suggests a smidgen of hops. Exquisitely roasty, dry aftertaste of blackened malt. Smooth velvety feel, dry and not sweet. Rich and full of flavor, pint is finished easily, and another would make a nice session. Growler candidate for sure.
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4.45/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I absolutely love this stuff on draught at Iron Springs. When your Kalamazoo-native partner calls something “Bell’s good” you know it’s top notch. A must have at the brewery.
Tonight is the first time I’ve tried it from a bottle. Brought back from the Bay area with the intention of sharing it, but after a long day, tight deadlines, and some internet uploading difficulty I ended up taking the selfish route and keeping it all to myself.
From a 22 ounce bomber it poured a rich, luscious chocolate into my nonic pint. Tremendous foam that I let die down, then refreshed with another pour. I still have about a finger’s worth of head on this and in the glass it looks beautiful. Where’s my camera?
On the nose I’m picking up all sorts of wonderfully roasty aromas. Some coffee, some cacao nibs, a little bit of a dark Italian roast and the crema sweetness of an amazing espresso. Yum!
The roast comes through on the taste as well, more of the dark Italian coffee and just this tremendous middle that lingers. It’s not harsh in the least, but it is sharp, focused. The cacao moves towards center stage, especially as it warms. It’s not milk chocolate sweet, more like a delicious dark chocolate, big and bitter.
Nice body to this, there’s definitely some heft but it’s not heavy or difficult to drink. I get the ‘oatmeal stout’ creaminess—not to mention the fact that the bubbles are still hanging around and there’s more foam sitting on top of this after a good quarter hour than most beers have after two minutes. I’m really enjoying this one. In fact, the only thing I can think of to improve this bottle is to drink it on draught again. Wonderful stuff. XicanoBeerRun, I’m gonna have to bring another one of these back to share. Sorry vato, I couldn’t resist. Another great beer from a great bay-area brewery.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I absolutely love this stuff on draught at Iron Springs. When your Kalamazoo-native partner calls something “Bell’s good” you know it’s top notch. A must have at the brewery.
Tonight is the first time I’ve tried it from a bottle. Brought back from the Bay area with the intention of sharing it, but after a long day, tight deadlines, and some internet uploading difficulty I ended up taking the selfish route and keeping it all to myself.
From a 22 ounce bomber it poured a rich, luscious chocolate into my nonic pint. Tremendous foam that I let die down, then refreshed with another pour. I still have about a finger’s worth of head on this and in the glass it looks beautiful. Where’s my camera?
On the nose I’m picking up all sorts of wonderfully roasty aromas. Some coffee, some cacao nibs, a little bit of a dark Italian roast and the crema sweetness of an amazing espresso. Yum!
The roast comes through on the taste as well, more of the dark Italian coffee and just this tremendous middle that lingers. It’s not harsh in the least, but it is sharp, focused. The cacao moves towards center stage, especially as it warms. It’s not milk chocolate sweet, more like a delicious dark chocolate, big and bitter.
Nice body to this, there’s definitely some heft but it’s not heavy or difficult to drink. I get the ‘oatmeal stout’ creaminess—not to mention the fact that the bubbles are still hanging around and there’s more foam sitting on top of this after a good quarter hour than most beers have after two minutes. I’m really enjoying this one. In fact, the only thing I can think of to improve this bottle is to drink it on draught again. Wonderful stuff. XicanoBeerRun, I’m gonna have to bring another one of these back to share. Sorry vato, I couldn’t resist. Another great beer from a great bay-area brewery.
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3.8/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasted at the Whole Foods in Novato, in their tasting area. Poured into a snifter.
A: Dark brown. Almost black with a reddish hue. Thick off white head that dissipates slowly.
S: Roasted dark malt. The roasted smell is very strong, but gives way to a good toasted oats scent. reminds me of porridge, in a good way.
T: Same as smell, but the oats are more prominent. Good thick roasty taste that then goes into a thick oatmeal flavor. not as balanced as I would like.
M: Thick, frothy mouthfeel. The carbonation is heavier than expected.
O: Good for the style. Not my personal favorite oatmeal stout, but one I would order again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasted at the Whole Foods in Novato, in their tasting area. Poured into a snifter.
A: Dark brown. Almost black with a reddish hue. Thick off white head that dissipates slowly.
S: Roasted dark malt. The roasted smell is very strong, but gives way to a good toasted oats scent. reminds me of porridge, in a good way.
T: Same as smell, but the oats are more prominent. Good thick roasty taste that then goes into a thick oatmeal flavor. not as balanced as I would like.
M: Thick, frothy mouthfeel. The carbonation is heavier than expected.
O: Good for the style. Not my personal favorite oatmeal stout, but one I would order again.
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4/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Jeff for sending this one to me.
A: The beer pours a dark brown color with some reddish notes and a finger of tan/khaki head.
S: Nice coffee and dark chocolate aromas up front. Plenty of roasted malts and a nice oatmeal smell to it as well. Some sweetness to it, perhaps toffee and molasses.
T: Sweetness in the form of toffee and molasses. Roasted malts and coffee give a hint of bitterness, and there is also a nice chocolate note to it. Oatmeal provides some nice sweetness as well.
M: Creamy and smooth in mouthfeel with a a medium level of carbonation.
O: I found this to be pleasant in all aspects and quite easy to drink.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Jeff for sending this one to me.
A: The beer pours a dark brown color with some reddish notes and a finger of tan/khaki head.
S: Nice coffee and dark chocolate aromas up front. Plenty of roasted malts and a nice oatmeal smell to it as well. Some sweetness to it, perhaps toffee and molasses.
T: Sweetness in the form of toffee and molasses. Roasted malts and coffee give a hint of bitterness, and there is also a nice chocolate note to it. Oatmeal provides some nice sweetness as well.
M: Creamy and smooth in mouthfeel with a a medium level of carbonation.
O: I found this to be pleasant in all aspects and quite easy to drink.
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3.85/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle into New Belgium snifter. Reviewed from notes.
A: Pour and extremely dark brown, almost black, with a thin dark brown head that receded quickly into a thin film that left tiny spots of soapy lacing down the glass.
S: Fairly straightforward with rich notes of roasted coffee and toasted oats. Just a hint of chocolate.
T: Very roasted in flavor with a touch of sweetness, light coffee notes, slight acid, and marshmallow in the finish. Aftertaste is full of toasted grainy goodness.
M: Medium body, soft frothy carbonation and an easy mouthfeel.
D: Overall very one-dimensional, but overall still a smooth, creamy, and delicious brew.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle into New Belgium snifter. Reviewed from notes.
A: Pour and extremely dark brown, almost black, with a thin dark brown head that receded quickly into a thin film that left tiny spots of soapy lacing down the glass.
S: Fairly straightforward with rich notes of roasted coffee and toasted oats. Just a hint of chocolate.
T: Very roasted in flavor with a touch of sweetness, light coffee notes, slight acid, and marshmallow in the finish. Aftertaste is full of toasted grainy goodness.
M: Medium body, soft frothy carbonation and an easy mouthfeel.
D: Overall very one-dimensional, but overall still a smooth, creamy, and delicious brew.
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4/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a viscous black with a mocha head that lingers for a minute.
Big roast aroma, as well as dark chocolate. A little bit of alcohol smell on the end too. Medium roast flavor initially, medium malt sweet in the middle, coffee dry on the end,. Nice and creamy mouthfeel, a little sticky too.
It has been a long time since I've had a oatmeal stout, and this really fit the bill of what I was looking for. Sweet and chocolaty without being too much of either- this is a nice beer I'd definitely snag again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a viscous black with a mocha head that lingers for a minute.
Big roast aroma, as well as dark chocolate. A little bit of alcohol smell on the end too. Medium roast flavor initially, medium malt sweet in the middle, coffee dry on the end,. Nice and creamy mouthfeel, a little sticky too.
It has been a long time since I've had a oatmeal stout, and this really fit the bill of what I was looking for. Sweet and chocolaty without being too much of either- this is a nice beer I'd definitely snag again.
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3.8/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
According to the bottle this is the best oatmeal stout in the world. I am excited. Shared with the bigtime playa MasterSki.
A - Black, pretty opaque, no light coming through on this one. The head fizzed up almost like a soda, and dissipated exactly the same, just kind of poof, and it was gone. Strange.
S - Little coffee, roasted notes, some chocolate. Alex pointed out there was an oat smell, and there really is. This shouldn't be a huge surprise as it was an oatmeal stout, but it is nicely present.
T - Actually tastes like oats, but not with the souring characteristic that can be present in raw oats. Nice oaty characteristics, burnt and unsweetened cocoa, and a little bittering coffee at the end that lingers.
M - Overcarbonated to a degree that is is a little unpleasant. I gave it a 2.0, as it was a noticably bad factor, making it below average in this department. Full bodied, and quite robust for something that is a 7%.
D - Solid, lesser carbonation would have made this a pretty good beer, but this was a nice oatmeal stout that had some unique flavor characteristics and was fairly pleasant to drink.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
According to the bottle this is the best oatmeal stout in the world. I am excited. Shared with the bigtime playa MasterSki.
A - Black, pretty opaque, no light coming through on this one. The head fizzed up almost like a soda, and dissipated exactly the same, just kind of poof, and it was gone. Strange.
S - Little coffee, roasted notes, some chocolate. Alex pointed out there was an oat smell, and there really is. This shouldn't be a huge surprise as it was an oatmeal stout, but it is nicely present.
T - Actually tastes like oats, but not with the souring characteristic that can be present in raw oats. Nice oaty characteristics, burnt and unsweetened cocoa, and a little bittering coffee at the end that lingers.
M - Overcarbonated to a degree that is is a little unpleasant. I gave it a 2.0, as it was a noticably bad factor, making it below average in this department. Full bodied, and quite robust for something that is a 7%.
D - Solid, lesser carbonation would have made this a pretty good beer, but this was a nice oatmeal stout that had some unique flavor characteristics and was fairly pleasant to drink.
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3.87/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Thanks to AgentZero for sharing this one. Served in a FoBAB taster glass.
A - Finger of quick-dissolving mocha foam that settles to a thick ring, with maybe a patch of wispy film - very cola-like. Black body, and very dark for only 7%.
S - Roasted barley, toasted oats, milk chocolate, caramel. This is one of the few oatmeal stouts where I can actually smell oat character.
T - Taste is very dark chocolate heavy, with lots of dark roast, and a slightly cola finish that imparts caramel and vanilla notes.
M - Slightly overcarbonated, medium body, and a gritty soda-like quality. Finishes quite sticky.
D - This was a pretty solid oatmeal stout, but it certainly isn't the "best in the world" as the label proudly proclaims. The cola-like texture was a bit off-putting, but it smelled and tasted pretty good.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Thanks to AgentZero for sharing this one. Served in a FoBAB taster glass.
A - Finger of quick-dissolving mocha foam that settles to a thick ring, with maybe a patch of wispy film - very cola-like. Black body, and very dark for only 7%.
S - Roasted barley, toasted oats, milk chocolate, caramel. This is one of the few oatmeal stouts where I can actually smell oat character.
T - Taste is very dark chocolate heavy, with lots of dark roast, and a slightly cola finish that imparts caramel and vanilla notes.
M - Slightly overcarbonated, medium body, and a gritty soda-like quality. Finishes quite sticky.
D - This was a pretty solid oatmeal stout, but it certainly isn't the "best in the world" as the label proudly proclaims. The cola-like texture was a bit off-putting, but it smelled and tasted pretty good.
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3.9/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark black with dark brown edging. Nice long lasting, clingy, light tan head.
Smells like roasted malt, more roasted malt, roasted char; acrid, hoppy, earthy oatmeal, and a bit of milk chocolate.
Incredibly dry, acrid, charred oatmeal. Bit of long lasting earthy chocolate aftertaste. Wow. That's dry. Also more than a dash of bittering.
I kind of dig it, actually. Yeah, maybe a bit overboard on the roastiness, but I like. Decently thick, but not exactly chewy.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark black with dark brown edging. Nice long lasting, clingy, light tan head.
Smells like roasted malt, more roasted malt, roasted char; acrid, hoppy, earthy oatmeal, and a bit of milk chocolate.
Incredibly dry, acrid, charred oatmeal. Bit of long lasting earthy chocolate aftertaste. Wow. That's dry. Also more than a dash of bittering.
I kind of dig it, actually. Yeah, maybe a bit overboard on the roastiness, but I like. Decently thick, but not exactly chewy.
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4.25/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A solid all black beer with a nice head and decent lacing. The nose is oats, a little roasted malts. The taste is very smooth, the roasted malts aren't burnt so the beer has a very pleasant overall depth of flavor, the very chewy with oats and light tones of chocolate. A very straight forward oatmeal stout that doesn't hide anything, very well crafted and worth seeking out. Carbonation is low and it is a easy beer to drink.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A solid all black beer with a nice head and decent lacing. The nose is oats, a little roasted malts. The taste is very smooth, the roasted malts aren't burnt so the beer has a very pleasant overall depth of flavor, the very chewy with oats and light tones of chocolate. A very straight forward oatmeal stout that doesn't hide anything, very well crafted and worth seeking out. Carbonation is low and it is a easy beer to drink.
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2.81/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Still working on the haul from Saturday's trip down to try batch no. 500....Pours a pitch black. 'bout two fingers of frothy, root-beer floatish after the vanilla ice cream is added dark tan head. Lots of oatmeal in the nose. Flavor is huge on the oats, too. Very full mouth and a chewy stout. Great body, kind of like that girl you met as wingman one night...A touch bitter on the finish. Not nearly as good as when it's fresh on tap at the pub in Fairfax, and not as good as I recall, neither. Disappointingly average.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Still working on the haul from Saturday's trip down to try batch no. 500....Pours a pitch black. 'bout two fingers of frothy, root-beer floatish after the vanilla ice cream is added dark tan head. Lots of oatmeal in the nose. Flavor is huge on the oats, too. Very full mouth and a chewy stout. Great body, kind of like that girl you met as wingman one night...A touch bitter on the finish. Not nearly as good as when it's fresh on tap at the pub in Fairfax, and not as good as I recall, neither. Disappointingly average.
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4.22/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
A: rich mocha head resting on an insanely dense black coffee body with thin sudsy lacing.
S: first oatmeal stout I've had in which the oats really come through on the nose, toasted malt along with slight cocoa up front and nominal coffee notes
T: big roasted malt finish with faint but noticeable hop bite, coffee notes come through in the mid-palate and build in the finish, cocoa flavors are less pronounced than in the nose, lots of toasted malt bitterness
M: not as round as expected, pleasant velvety texture but too thin for the style (especially in the finish); beer definitely improves as it reaches room temp for a creamier body.
D: addictive
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
A: rich mocha head resting on an insanely dense black coffee body with thin sudsy lacing.
S: first oatmeal stout I've had in which the oats really come through on the nose, toasted malt along with slight cocoa up front and nominal coffee notes
T: big roasted malt finish with faint but noticeable hop bite, coffee notes come through in the mid-palate and build in the finish, cocoa flavors are less pronounced than in the nose, lots of toasted malt bitterness
M: not as round as expected, pleasant velvety texture but too thin for the style (especially in the finish); beer definitely improves as it reaches room temp for a creamier body.
D: addictive
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3.86/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a snifter.
3.5 A: Black color. One and a half fingers of light brown head. Retention is poor and leaves something to be desired. Not really any lacing as a result.
5.0 S: Lots of oatmeal is apparent. This may be the most oatmeal laden beer I've had. Awesome balance between sweet and roasted flavors. Moderate amounts of roasted barley and toastiness. Smooth caramel sweetness with slightest touch of molasses and coffee.
4.0 T: The taste is just about as good as the nose, but the mouthfeel is too distracting for me to enjoy it. Lots of oatmeal again with a corresponding mild sourness. Roasted character is slightly less apparent in the taste and thus the wonderful balance is offset. Molasses is stronger this time with light chocolate flavors.
2.5 M: Light body, which is too bad because this would be a stellar brew is the body was a lot thicker. The wimpy mouthfeel sucks so bad that it carries over into the taste and drinkability. Good moderate carbonation and otherwise smooth.
3.0 D: Lot of great things going on in this one, but the body is way too damn thin. Up the mash temp and brew this one again please.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a snifter.
3.5 A: Black color. One and a half fingers of light brown head. Retention is poor and leaves something to be desired. Not really any lacing as a result.
5.0 S: Lots of oatmeal is apparent. This may be the most oatmeal laden beer I've had. Awesome balance between sweet and roasted flavors. Moderate amounts of roasted barley and toastiness. Smooth caramel sweetness with slightest touch of molasses and coffee.
4.0 T: The taste is just about as good as the nose, but the mouthfeel is too distracting for me to enjoy it. Lots of oatmeal again with a corresponding mild sourness. Roasted character is slightly less apparent in the taste and thus the wonderful balance is offset. Molasses is stronger this time with light chocolate flavors.
2.5 M: Light body, which is too bad because this would be a stellar brew is the body was a lot thicker. The wimpy mouthfeel sucks so bad that it carries over into the taste and drinkability. Good moderate carbonation and otherwise smooth.
3.0 D: Lot of great things going on in this one, but the body is way too damn thin. Up the mash temp and brew this one again please.
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4.19/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
Pint glass pour and I am met with coal black liquid and a cookie dough colored head which just stays floating on top. No movement whatsoever. Very cool! Getting a chocolate aroma with some dark fruits and roasted malts. Chocolate taste with some very faint coffee characteristics, campfire smokiness and a light lingering espresso-like aftertaste. This beer is creamy, smooth in the mouth with absolutely no harsh swallow or bite. Very easy drinking though sipping this on a cool day is (imo) the ideal setting or for an after dinner treat.
Overall I can clearly see how this was a Gold Medal winner in the World Beer Cup. Give this a whirl but make sure to consume at room temperature and you will not be disappointed. Great value and highly recommended.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
Pint glass pour and I am met with coal black liquid and a cookie dough colored head which just stays floating on top. No movement whatsoever. Very cool! Getting a chocolate aroma with some dark fruits and roasted malts. Chocolate taste with some very faint coffee characteristics, campfire smokiness and a light lingering espresso-like aftertaste. This beer is creamy, smooth in the mouth with absolutely no harsh swallow or bite. Very easy drinking though sipping this on a cool day is (imo) the ideal setting or for an after dinner treat.
Overall I can clearly see how this was a Gold Medal winner in the World Beer Cup. Give this a whirl but make sure to consume at room temperature and you will not be disappointed. Great value and highly recommended.
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3.62/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with a nice tan foam that fades quickly. Not too much lacing or retention. meh. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt though, they have a rockin' pedal steel image on the label, the guy who the beer is named after.
Aromas foremost of roast, some chocolate through the middle. Picking up a little general fruitiness as it warmed... for some reason I'm thinking berries but it's a little odd. The taste is much of the same. Some chocolate and roasted malts initially, leading to a little fruit mid-palate before a semi-bitter chocolate finish with a little grainyness. Medium bodied with a low carbonation kind of doesn't help the lack of vibrancy in this beer. I would've liked a little higher intensity of flavor here, although everything was well integrated for what it was. It feels like it should be more robust, but it's not. Alcohol was well integrated and I could've easily taken down the bomber, but chose to use part of it for beer brownies instead.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with a nice tan foam that fades quickly. Not too much lacing or retention. meh. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt though, they have a rockin' pedal steel image on the label, the guy who the beer is named after.
Aromas foremost of roast, some chocolate through the middle. Picking up a little general fruitiness as it warmed... for some reason I'm thinking berries but it's a little odd. The taste is much of the same. Some chocolate and roasted malts initially, leading to a little fruit mid-palate before a semi-bitter chocolate finish with a little grainyness. Medium bodied with a low carbonation kind of doesn't help the lack of vibrancy in this beer. I would've liked a little higher intensity of flavor here, although everything was well integrated for what it was. It feels like it should be more robust, but it's not. Alcohol was well integrated and I could've easily taken down the bomber, but chose to use part of it for beer brownies instead.
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4.3/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Source/Serving: Draft
Smell: delightful coffee and chocolate that has a sweet roundness and an oaky/woody edge
Taste: Smooth and dry deliciousness. Perfect level of sweetness. Chocolate shines through. Coffee makes an appearance in the middle. Overall not too roasty, but just enough. Quite a good grain profile that's got bready overtones but comes off as quite complex for a stout. Finish is extra smooth, slightly sweet, with a hint of coffee and wood.
Notes: The smoothness of this beer is incredible.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Source/Serving: Draft
Smell: delightful coffee and chocolate that has a sweet roundness and an oaky/woody edge
Taste: Smooth and dry deliciousness. Perfect level of sweetness. Chocolate shines through. Coffee makes an appearance in the middle. Overall not too roasty, but just enough. Quite a good grain profile that's got bready overtones but comes off as quite complex for a stout. Finish is extra smooth, slightly sweet, with a hint of coffee and wood.
Notes: The smoothness of this beer is incredible.
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3.7/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bomber from either K&L or Bottle Barn, can't remember which.
a - pours pitch black, wow, half-inch deep brown head with retention only around the edges and little lacing
s - semi-sweet chocolate mixed in with Hershey's syrup dominates with lighter espresso notes, slight char/smoke with some hints of vanilla as well
t - semi-sweet chocolate and mocha up front, not much bitterness, sweeter chocolate notes carry through to the finish with a faint hop flavor detectable, finish is a bit awkward and disappears a bit to quickly, not too much alcohol noticeable
m - full-bodied, moderate carbonation, balanced finish, slight alcohol warming
d - not overly drinkable, the flavors just aren't that interesting and it gets a bit tiresome after awhile, not a bad beer at all, but not one I would want to drink more than a pint or two (max) of, that said, the alcohol is not overwhelming and it's fairly easy on the palate
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bomber from either K&L or Bottle Barn, can't remember which.
a - pours pitch black, wow, half-inch deep brown head with retention only around the edges and little lacing
s - semi-sweet chocolate mixed in with Hershey's syrup dominates with lighter espresso notes, slight char/smoke with some hints of vanilla as well
t - semi-sweet chocolate and mocha up front, not much bitterness, sweeter chocolate notes carry through to the finish with a faint hop flavor detectable, finish is a bit awkward and disappears a bit to quickly, not too much alcohol noticeable
m - full-bodied, moderate carbonation, balanced finish, slight alcohol warming
d - not overly drinkable, the flavors just aren't that interesting and it gets a bit tiresome after awhile, not a bad beer at all, but not one I would want to drink more than a pint or two (max) of, that said, the alcohol is not overwhelming and it's fairly easy on the palate
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Sless' Oatmeal Stout from Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
60 ratings
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