Cereal Killin' Stout
Wellington Brewery

750 mL bottle from the brewery, served slightly chilled. Reviewed on my phone.

Pours inky black, with just over one finger of tan-coloured head. It recedes steadily over the next five minutes or so, leaving behind a messy coat of like-tinged lace and a smooth collar of foam. Toffee sweetness and roasted malts on the nose; milk chocolate, mocha coffee, French vanilla and oatmeal. Along the lines of most breakfast stouts, but a little more rounded and 'milder' than ones brewed with actual coffee or cocoa.

A fine strong stout, with a rich roasted malt-driven flavour profile. Molasses, baker's chocolate, black cherry and coffee, underlain by oatmeal and a hint of plum. Nice, moderately roasty finish with earthy, floral hops, coffee grounds and an herbal bitterness that lingers into an aftertaste that gently warms the chest. Medium in body, with minimal carbonation and a silky smooth mouthfeel that makes this strong stout a lot more drinkable than it should be.

Final Grade: 4.23, an A-. Cereal Killin' Stout is a première example of an oatmeal stout - flavourful, smooth, rich and satisfying. This is a fantastic beer that I wish I could pick up any time I wanted - Short Finger and Wellington have crafted an incredibly solid, moderately strong stout that would be worth producing on a regular basis. Grab a bottle before they're all gone.