Oatmeal Stout
Sheep Mountain Brewery

after a long day of drinking mostly hoppy and sour beers, i really needed something dark like this, and it hit the mark for both my palate and my belly. i would call this a relatively basic brew, but its nicely made and has a lot going for it. its creamy headed from tap, shiny near black body to it, a little reddish brown in the light, ring lacing as it drinks. the nose and flavor are the same, ever so slight astringency cutting through the body and the deepest level of the malt, tons of roast to it but only moderately bitter, smartly no attempt to cut it with caramel malt sweetness in the middle so it stays dry, and perhaps some oats in the mash giving it a smoothness even with the lightly sharp beginning. a subtle dark chocolate note, even a hint of licorice spice and raisin at temperature, but its all grain derived. mild yeast character too here, perhaps a well restrained english pitch, it works whatever it is, and i thought this warmed up nicely too. i had it with a blt sandwich and it both enhanced the meatiness of the bacon and cut the grease, an excellent pairing really. this was my first beer from these guys and has me keen to try more! basic but well crafted.