Paddle Bender
High Plains Brewing

solid stout, if extremely basic as they go. i like what the oats add, a starchy earthy pale element and a smoother body, but the beer overall seems too simple, like generic for the style, nothing particularly remarkable about it, which for me always makes the flaws seem a little more problematic. its easier to forgive a shortcoming if its a product of innovation or experimentation, but its harder in a basic beer like this. i think its a little astringent, tannic even, perhaps mashed or sparged too hot, not way off, but its got this zizzle to it that isnt supposed to be there, and it interferes with the smoothness of the oats and the richness i want in one of these. the roast profile is great though, just short of burnt with a coffee grounds quality, just right for the style. its on the dry side too which i think is a good thing here, but i find it a little unprofessional and a little boring overall. given the relative lack of cool beer and breweries in this little corner of montana though, it was a welcomed pint of craft beer! i had the honey porter first which was superior and may have biased me against this one a little bit...