Henry Jackson Stout
Amherst Brewing

Sampled from a growler purchased at the brewpub July 2004.

This oatmeal stout poured an opaque black color with light brown foam that settled but clung to the glass a little. The smell was roasted malt with a light sweetness and with notes of cocoa and oatmeal. The taste was lightly sweet and malty with lots of dark roasted malt flavors and a touch of oatmeal. There was a bit of hoppiness in the finish. The mouthfeel was smooth and roasty with medium-full body and low carbonation. The roasted malt flavors and some hops lingered. This was a good oatmeal stout.

Glug, glug, glug, goes the growler, as it pours into my glass, courtesy of ppoitras and GiF4...a near-opaqueness in shade, with some reddish tints shining through the cracks, blessed with a fine 1/4" coat of burnt tan foam atop.
Bitter espresso notes hit the nose first, followed by a milky, creamy essence, some hints of anise, spice, a touch of molasses and dark rum...complex stuff, much more than your average oatmeal stouts.
Taste is rich, tasty, and, yet, utterly smooth. Full-bodied, and fully-flavored, and a qualified quaffer, as well. Roasty taste resides high in the forefront of the flavor, then lays back, as it's all smooth and mellow.
This is nice, a stout that can be apreciated and approved of all the way through the glass, rewards one with every sip taken, yet doesn't trouble the tongue too much. High drinkability, and at the end of my first glass I have to admit that I'm tasting chocolate more than I had before, so there's still wonders unfolding here!
thanks, Pete, now I know what to drink if I ever wind up in Amherst!

Refillable growler purchased at the brewery, filled under counter-pressure, according to the person I spoke with.

First imperial pint glass pours with a somewhat meager 1/8" mocha-hued head, which quickly faded to a film of bubbles, over this super dark opaque brew. Laces well for having hardly a head. Deep malty aroma. The taste embodies the dark malts as well, coffee dominant, but little grain-sourced bitterness, which is nice. Goes down quite smooth, which may be a result of there seeming to be little carbonation. Drinkability is excellent, an all-dayer with enough interesting traits to be worth the time.

<edit> As it warmed flavors came out even more, and I have adjusted my ratings appropriately.

GIF 2.

Pure black body, topped by a level, thick, finger of tan foam. Head breaks down a little quick into an oil slick. Excellent lacing.

A strong note of coffee, with a minor of chocolate, in the nose.

Rolls across the tongue with a big mocha splash. Finishes with a nice hop taste, not a hop bite.

Smoooth and slick, like a good oatmeal should be. Well rounded. Nice and full.

Goes down very easy, very well. My neighbor, a very occassional beer drinker, tried a glass with me and loved it. Loved how smooth it was. He's not wrong.

After trying this, I'd be glad to try the brewpub if I find myself in the area.