Oatmeal Stout
Great Waters Brewing

On cask at the brewpub...

A new Oatmeal from the new brewer (succeeds the long-retired Norma's Oatmeal Stout). Deep brown color, little light transmission in the glass. Nice tall tan head, creamy and long-lasting. Laces in ample light strings on the pint shaker. Lightly roasty aroma, elements of sweetened chocolate. Carbonation is low, mouthfeel is smooth and perhaps too slick. Understated flavor, sweet in a malted milk sense to begin with, but getting lost in the texture and without a lot of character overall. Finishes improved, with a husky tone to the aftertaste. Pleasant and drinkable, could use more of a signature statement.

On cask at the brewpub: Deeply dark varnishish brown, puffy thick tannish, dusty yellowed head about a finger high. Lacing spotty and whispy. Aroma is mostly chocolate with some barley flake and oat flake sweetness, bits of alcoholic tinges with a light roasty quality over the top. Flavors are nice but not lasting long unfortunately. Warm and milk chocolatey, mild sweetness overall with the oats and malts. It would be nice to see it last for a while on the palate before its leaves. Its far too short for thorough enjoyment. But the warm creamy medium body is quite quenchable non-the-less. Big time smoothness and semi-rich. Slices of warmth and roast mingle more so towards the finish and keeps a mild chocolate tone throughout. This was easily drinkable and mildly smooth in character. On cask, its actually quite good. I just needed more length in the flavor department, and some of the alcoholic warming gets in the way for me too, otherwise this is mighty nice stuff.