Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Anderson Valley Brewing Company

maddogruss from New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Based on a review from 2012. Poured this into a shaker glass from a can.

A: pours a dark brown/black body with nice, off-white head with nice retention and lacing
S: sweet, milk chocolate smelling beer
T: fairly light, milk chocolate taste; a little thin, but pretty good
M: thin bodied and pretty smooth; ok
D: nice feel and taste combo; nice drinking beer overall; decent beer

Feb 28, 2020

EnderFett11 from Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured moderately hard from a can into a snifter glass, resulting in a few fingers of frothy head, slowly fading to nothing. Dark brown color. Pleasant malty oatmeal smell. Taste is similar, with the malt fading and becoming more sweet as it warms. Light bodied with light carbonation. A pleasant oatmeal stout.

Feb 28, 2020

mikeinportc from New York

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Can marked 19274 . =Sept 1, 2019 ? 5.7 %abv . Does it vary, or is this the new # ? ???
Let warm 10 minutes before opening.

Dark cola-brown, with about one finger of tan head. Leaves a little lacing.

Smell is roasted almond+walnut, some cola, a little cocoa, wet earth and decaying wood. Smells really good. I want to dive in.

Taste is light char , chocolate liqueur minus most of the sweetness, a hint of walnut (outer coating of the nut meat), and a light cola flavor near finish. Light bitterness that shows up in the latter half.

Feel is light, slightly watery, initially smooth, with some very fine sharp carbonation coming in late, and lingering awhile.

Overall , enjoyable,and would have it again. I do wish it had a little more of the namesake oatmeal.

Jan 30, 2020

jkblr from Indiana

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz undated can poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 5.7% ABV per can. The beer pours dense black with only a hint of light penetration and short lived khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and a few bubbles. The aroma is sharp, almost ashy roasted malt with just a hint of dark chocolate. The taste follows with ashy, very dark roasted malt followed by some tangy, almost fruity (berry, cherry etc.) flavor before it simply slips away without any real fanfare. Moderate bitterness is minimized by the tangy edge. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, good. I don't mind a little tangyness in a stout, but I don't care for it front, center and throughout.

Jan 05, 2020

Gordono from Nevada

3.91/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Black, opaque in color. Dark sticky head. Aromas of roasted grain. Bitter, slight sour, dark chocolate (I get the dark cherry comparison especially on the finish), slight burnt taste but not in a bad way, and sweet, yet dry. Much better than I’d expected considering the modest price point.

Jan 04, 2020

nicholas2121 from Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company, with an ABV of 5.80% This English Oatmeal Stout pours out of a 12oz glass bottle into a pint beer glass. The color of this brew is a deep brown color with a nice light brown head. Has the look of black coffee, not saying that is a bad thing. There is also a nice amount of lacing to this brew, it sticks to the side of the glass well. The smell is Rich with Roasted goodness mixed with sweetness. You pick up on a lot roasted grains and malts in the smell of this brew. So far Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is a nice inviting brew, now for the taste. It is Bold with flavors lot of deep roasted sweetness in this brew. You can definitely pick up on the oatmeal in this brew. This is well put together oatmeal stout. The body is a solid medium. There is nothing overpowering about this brew, it has a super nice balance to it. This brew would nice with a meal or a cool day. The mouth feel is Bold, Rich, Roasted, Clean, Smooth and Refreshing. Overall I am going to give Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout a Solid 4 out of 5. I would definitely look this brew up again giving the opportunity to. Anderson Valley Brewing Company, did a real nice job with this oatmeal stout.

Jul 12, 2019

German-Helles from Wisconsin

4.49/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

This 12oz. bottle was poured into a 20oz weizen glass. The beer is black with a pretty two finger pillow of dark tan foam that lasted for minutes giving way to a nice layer of foam and no lacing on the glass.
The aroma is of sweet chocolate and a hint of coffee is all I picked up.
The taste is coffee first giving way to a bit of sweet chocolate.
The feel is thick and creamy and a touch dry at the end of the sip. It seem like a light carbonation on the tongue.
This is an easy stout to drink, it's not a high ABV, it would be perfect after a meal, coffee and dessert all in one!

Mar 23, 2019

izraelc from New York

3.94/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black with thick head. Not much of an aroma. A little heavier than I thought it would be. A little dry to start with a heavy roasted malt finish. Smooth. Very nice.

Feb 04, 2019

RaymondMillbrae from California

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This bier was great.

I purchased a 6-pack of bottles. And when I cracked my first one, it smelled strong. Like bitter coffee beans.

Initially I was not happy. I was expecting a smooth stout, based on the label description. But the initial smell was strong/bitter.

But when I tasted it, it was smoooooooth. Nary any bitterness.

The head was good. I like my stouts at room temperature, and pour them fast to get a copious head. (I love to smell my bier before, and while drinking it. It is part of the experience).

It did not disappoint.

Kind of left me perplexed. It smelled bitter, but it did not taste bitter at all.

The color is like they say - A dark stout, but with edges and hue colored in a touch of red. A monogany color.

I like my stouts black, so i took a few points off because of that.

Overall, I really enjoyed the bier.

I now know to let it rest a bit after pouring it, to let the head settle so the bitter smells dissipate.

But if you like the smell, more power to you.

Jan 16, 2019

dbl_delta from Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On tap at Crimson, York PA. Pours a very dark brown/black with a minimal tan head. Initial impression is roasted malts, a hint of chocolate, black coffee, and maybe some dark fruits way in the background. Mouthfeel is a little thin fot the style; carbonation is fairly light. Finish is more of the same, with roasted malts predominating. Probably true to style but it's been done better elsewhere.

Dec 29, 2018

monkist from Hungary

4.81/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Boy how long have I been waiting to taste this! Now here I am after having backed down a couple tonight and still going for it because it is still just too interesting to leave it untouched. Well, I have never had an oatmeal stout before.
And then boom. It isn't pitch black but like charcoal brown. It looks almost like a porter and the smell that hits you when pouring is awesome! Sweet like an imperial stout! Let's smell it from close: yes, it is definitely sweeter but like a compot, like a thin fruity syrup. Fascinating!
And then it comes. The amazing taste that just leaves you with an awe, wondering how on earth could they do such a great and delicious stout! Because I hate stouts... and this is like an imperial stout without the "double", without the booze or that sticky sweetness. This is just mildly sweet. Almost like a Pepsi light. But then it runs into a cold brew coffee bean bitterness in the end. Funny how it changes. It is definitely an experience. Although might not be the greatest beer ever on the planet but it gives you a good time while drinking because it is so bionic. And this is something I can't tell about stouts since they are flat or rather dead to me. But this is cool. How does oatmeal come into the picture? Doesn't matter.
It is good. Simple as that. I am all for it. Long live AVBC!

Jul 06, 2018

stevoj from Idaho

3.69/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Bottle from Winco. Dark brown / near black body, small fluffy beige head, fades but not all the way. gentle roast grain aroma, mildly sweet. Some burnt toast and coffee. Taste is also mild, flavor from the roast grains, some sweetness and texture from the oats. Not overly roasty, minor lingering bitterness.

Jun 20, 2018

josanguapo from Spain

3.06/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

From Decervecitas. In Ikea's pint glass. Playing Avernum 3. No foam. Not bad, but has some acidness and veggie notes that dont seem right. Bought on Feb 2017. Probably became too old. Has no bbf date

Jun 14, 2018

BeerBobber from Nevada

4.12/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Looks pitch black no light and no ruby notes around the edges, just black. Finger and a half of thick light brown head sinking into the beer to create some more drinkable yummy.

Smells like stone fruits, figs and cherries, stirred into a cup of coffee.

Taste is just like the nose. Really picking up some dried cherries and that background of roasted coffee.

Mouth feel is medium with a slick wet finish.

Overall a very nice stout. The oatmeal does not add any real sweetness just more of a thickness to the mouthfeel. The roasting on the malts seems to bring out a nice coffee note and there is that stone fruit component that comes out in a lot of stouts. Really tastes and feels like a much bigger beer than the 5.8% ABV. So if you want a bigger stout but don't want that 8% and up ABV this would be really nice still a good somewhat thicker sipper that would be great on a cool evening on the patio. Enjoy!

Apr 13, 2018

WunderLlama from Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into snifter

Dark brown liquid , one finger brown foam cap quickly settles to a layer of foam

Aroma of roasted malts, coffee, espresso

Taste of roast malts, gentle coffee, roast coffee taste lingers

Good sudsing, light mouthfeel

Nice beer

Dec 17, 2017

SirFolmarv from Idaho

4.46/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A good looking, not flashy, Stout. Has some nice head retention though. Has a nice bready and dried fruit smell. Dark fruits like cherries. Even better on the tongue. Very smooth mouth feel. Another great Anderson Valley brew.

Oct 21, 2017

Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. The appearance had a dark brown/black body with a slightly creamy looking/tan head - slightly concaves a bit and leaves some nice lacing. The smell had oatmeal up front, roasty coffee, slightly sweet burnt malt, dark chocolate. The taste had an oatmeal flavoring and has a nice balance between sweet roasty/slightly burnt chocolate, I’m liking this, roasty aftertaste and finish. On the palate, it sat at/about a light to medium, sessionable, carbonation seems spot on. Overall, I tend to like stouts, but this one as an oatmeal stout is very good.

Jun 25, 2017

Nosquatch from Virginia

4.19/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 4.5

It's damn good. Not too sweet, nothing that overpowers the stouty goodness. If you think you don't like stouts, give it a try. If you still don't like it, then you probably really don't like stouts. And I've wasted your time and money. Sorry about that. It's still beer and that's not the worst waste of time and money going. I mean pretty much any of the Transformers movies are bigger wastes of time and money. Especially that 2nd one.

Jun 25, 2017

degueulasse from California

3.48/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5

Drank out of a 12-oz tulip glass. This pours a dark brown with a small, light tan head that disappears quickly. It smells rich, like oak with faint hints of dark chocolate. The taste reminds me of a bourbon barrel, but without some of the sweetness and harshness. That is to say, it keeps much of the oak flavor but adds to it some fruity notes of mulberry and strawberry as it warms. The mouthfeel is pretty weak, much more watery than many beers of its kind.

Jun 11, 2017

feuematt from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An almost perfect beer...exceptionally smooth with a mix of dark fruits and chocolate...I would recommend giving this a shot..you won't regret it!!!!!

May 28, 2017

DavidLuger from California

4.54/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Weeee. My taste buds are happy. Very pleasant happy buzz. Should there be a category for buzz rating?
It is like dessert for dinner, but not too sweet.

May 16, 2017

HorseheadsHophead from New York

4.31/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours out dark brown, but looks pitch black in the glass. The head was a frothy tan. It dies down a bit, but a tan ring always remains, leaving rings of sticky tan lacing.
The nose offers roasted barley, cracked burnt grains, toasted brown bread, milk chocolate, cacao nib, earthy hops, and a bit of gingerbread and almond milk.
The palate offers big amounts of toasted pumpernickel and gingerbread upfront. Coarse, grainy, toasty, and slightly sweet. It transitions to milk chocolate, a more bitter cacao nib, black coffee, and vanilla. You get a little bit of dried cherry and raisin. It finishes on a strong chocolate note, with a lightly bitter coffee note, with grainy oats shining all the way through.
The mouthfeel is rich, full, and creamy, thanks to the generous amounts of oats. It's pretty well carbonated, though, so it doesn't stick or drag too long on the palate, but moves smoothly but swiftly along.

This is a quintessential oatmeal stout. Highly enjoyable in every aspect of the style.

Apr 28, 2017

HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey

4.29/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Black color with an aroma of malt,coffee,caramel/vanilla. It had a creamy feel with medium carbonation. Taste was exactly like it smelled,coffee,malt,vanilla,and perhaps a bit of dried fruit. I thought it was a solid stout and really enjoyed it after dinner with dessert.can definitely recommend it

Apr 27, 2017

matcris from Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Black, a little ruby around the edges, with a fast dissipating head and no lacing. Aroma is sweet, overall. Cocoa Puffs cereal, & coffee. In the flavor, Cocoa, a Pumpernickel-like bread crust, and a berry-like jam presence, too. Smooth, dry, medium bodied, and above average in carbonation.

Mar 07, 2017

Stoutmaster9 from California

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a pint glass, enjoyed with hunks of fudge.

Black as you please. Thin head, small bubbles, fair lacing.
Smells like malty chocolate, dark fruits, oatmeal.
Taste is groovy. Cherry-tinged chocolate and oat-bound espresso. Approaching medium crispness and hop presence, any more would, I imagine, disrupt the harmony.
I have found that an Oatmeal Stout needs some Jazz, and this well-balanced brew provides it!

Overall we would be eager to try an Imperial version of this brew!!

A number of my learned colleagues have mentioned Vanilla, I suppose accurately, yet until recently I lacked the vocabulary to claim it's calming presence out of the otherwise catchy chorus, or to associate it with Beer in general. A refined pallet requires patience, Grasshopper ...

Mar 01, 2017