Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Rainier

California

4.68/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really liked this beer. I have to keep at least a bottle of this in my fridge. It's a good break from all the ridiculously bitter beers I've been drinking. It's pretty straight forward.
Not very hoppy at all if that's your type of drink. Little bitterness.

12 oz in a bottle bought from bevmo. It was served in a tulip glass.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 07:22:05 | More by Rainier

TubaManJack

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Finally time to review a standard.

Appearance : Two fingers of a light brown colors. It looks creamy and inviting. There is a bit of carbonation, thus yielding a nicely retained head. Yes there is a dark body which is par for the course.

Smell: Roasted/Toasted/Chocolate malt, There is some caramel sweetness and yes there is some oatmeal in there. It is familiar like a Christmas sweeter - its not always wanted but its still so right when the proper time is here.

Taste: Just like the nose but with cream and a touch of the herbal bittering hops. Its a classic.

Mouthfeel: Its smooth like a bowl of oatmeal. - Just bear with me. There is the creaminess of the oats with the texture of the various other malts which are like the flavors. The mixture works and has the right amount of carbonation.

A perfect cold weather session brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 23:47:33 | More by TubaManJack

magictacosinus

California

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

About time I review this thing. It's one of the most delightful takes I've ever had on the style, and end up woofing it down before I have a chance to review it. Poured out of a 550ml bottle into the brewery's trademark pub pint glass.

Pours a deep, darkened color with reddish tones when placed against any light. Like all of Sam Smith's beers, this one has an enormous head due to the prevalence of the fresh yeast. Carbonation never seems to die down on this thing, and there was always a half-finger of foam at the top the whole time. Looks robust, thick, and inviting overall.

The aroma consists of an immediate overpowering aroma of freshly baked oatmeal, but there are also strong nutty flavors, some chocolate goodness, and yeasty phenols resembling dark fruits such as figs. What strikes me is simply how FRESH all of this smells, and indeed, the darkened malty aromas combined with the yeastiness, as well as the oats, remind me very much of freshly baked, hearty bread of sorts. There's a little bit of hoppiness going on, but not nearly as predominant as the yeast and oat richness this offers.

The flavor continues where the aroma was left off, but further accentuates and develops the flavor to greater heights. The oats are massive here at every sip, often mixing with the strong malty backbone and sticky yeast to resemble a true meal-like experience. Even after each gulp, the yeasty notes and oats remain on the tongue in a thoroughly satisfying way, and the alcohol produces a warming effect of pure bliss and comfort. Beyond the flavors, the beer is also extremely easy to drink, and provides a thickened experience as hearty and full-bodied as its flavor. The carbonation isn't too excessive, but not once does this beer let down and thin itself out, no matter how affected by room temperature.

By far one of my favorite to-go oatmeal stouts, or hell, favorite to-go stouts ever! I've had this tons of times by now, and whether or not it may not be the most accurate take on the style, it's still extremely yummy and true meal in its own right. I could have something like this for breakfast if I wanted and not feel guilty about it. Without a doubt my favorite so far by Sam Smith's!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 10:24:59 | More by magictacosinus

CloudStrife

New York

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

18.7oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a very dark body with a 1.5 finger tan head which sticks around for a while. Appears dark ruby brown when held up to the light. A little bit of lacing.

S: Roasted malts with hints of chocolate and dark fruits. Has that authentic Samuel Smith yeastiness to it. A little bit of breadiness to it.

T: Real tasty brew here. Has a nice blend of maltiness, chocolate, coffee and yeastiness. Lingering roastiness with hints of a dark fruit.

M: Medium to full bodied with average carbonation. Very drinkable beer here.

Overall a beer I would never turn down. Would love to try it closer to the source. Real balanced and light enough to session all night.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 22:07:42 | More by CloudStrife

Leo

3.98/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark as a stout should be.

S - Smelled great. It has lots of chocolate notes.

T - Definitely can taste the oatmeal with the chocolate and black malts. Love this beer.

M - Nice feel, not to thick on the pallet.

O - One of favorite Oatmeal Stouts.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 12:23:46 | More by Leo

bambam2517

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle at around 57F into a pint glass.

A - Best part of this beer for me. Really great head developed, even though I poured mostly down the side. Cocoa brown and creamy, really long lasting. The body is dark brown and opaque until held right up to the light, and then appears rich burgundy.

S - Very malty and roasted grain. Maybe just a trace of sweet alcohol.

T - The malt is most present, some smokiness and a touch of the oatmeal at the finish. To be totally honest its bland for me, in comparison to all of the other Oatmeal Stouts I've tried this year (and that is nearing a dozen as of this writing).

M - Nice and creamy when quaffed right away, as it appears. It is a little bitter and it finishes very clear, pretty nicely done.

O - Theres nothing wrong with it but I am not wowed. American micros are brewing better examples of the style and they are easier on the wallet too. Those are the ones I will be going back to.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 04:28:49 | More by bambam2517

babayaga

3.45/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 355mL bottle into a footed "stout glass."

Appearance- Big tan head that lasts a long time. Sparse lacing. Cloudy black with a hint of ruby. Can't see through without a light.

Aroma- Molasses and cookie. A bit of roastiness. Smells sweeter than it finishes.

Taste- Earthy choc, coffee-like, slightly sweet but finishes dry. Nice malt flavor. Something there as well that I just don't have the vocab to describe.

Mouthfeel- Creamy texture, medium body.

Enjoyable, but not remarkable. I was expecting more maybe because this one's considered a benchmark.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 00:40:18 | More by babayaga

MaineBrewing

Maine

3.85/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - poured into Samuel Smith imperial pint glass with creamy three finger tan head, disapated at a slow rate. Black and opaque, nothing gets through . Head left low lacing which is ok, the creamy texture of the head is certainly inviting.

S - Roasted barley and molasses, slight coffee notes. sweet and malty nose overpowers the hops but they are present, I would say grassy piney trying to get through.

T - taste is pretty balanced for the style. Semi sweet with Roasted Malts and slight caramel, adequate hop bitterness to balance the sweet malt and finishes well. Lingering nut character. Slight metallic off taste.

M - mouthfeel is a little thin for an oatmeal stout, the low carb is great though and it is certainly creamy.

Overall - Overall a good easy drinking stout, nothing too spectacular. A little rough around the edges, my experiences with this beer on tap have been better than this bottle. Definitely a classic though and I will continue to come back.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 00:05:18 | More by MaineBrewing

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

550 ml bottle (1 pint), no bottled on date present.

A - Pours black as the night with a creamy fluffy chocolate colored 3 finger head which recedes quickly into a foam. Some nice lacing on the glass.

S - Smells of oats and malts, a little bit of bread. Not a whole lot of action happening here.

T - Definitely a strong chocolate coffee presence, pretty thick & heavy, which isn't my favorite feeling; this beer sits kind of heavy in the stomach. Slight hint of raisins and dark fruit as the beer warms up a bit.

M - Bitter, buttery, sticky mouthfeel, probably my favorite part of this beer.

Overall, not my favorite, but by no means is it a bad beer. I was reminded a lot of the Founders Porter, which is also not a favorite of mine. People who enjoy stouts and porters will probably find some enjoyment to be had. A nicely made beer, but not for everyone I guess.

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 23:11:28 | More by mfnmbvp

GotWad629

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with a thick creamy tan head..It's a thing of beauty.

Smells of roasted oats, coffee, chocolate, and fruit. All the smells blend very well together, nothing is too overpowering.

Same goes for the taste. The coffee and chocolate flavors blend together perfectly with a nice medium creamy mouthfeel and the perfect amount of carbonation.

As far as oatmeal stouts go, this is a staple. Perfectly balanced all the way around from the roasty coffee and chocolate flavors to the soft carbonation. I would love to be sitting in an old English pub drinking this right now.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 21:29:18 | More by GotWad629

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

oz bottle. Allowed to warm a little before being poured into my Duvel tulip.

Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout pours jet black, with a billowing three plus fingers of mocha foam crowning the beer and filling the glass. Head retention is just alright, and lacing, while left in a solid ring near the top of the glass, is fairly spotty underneath. The nose is highlighted by a soft coffee aroma, met by a light touch of fruity esters. The flavor adds a mild chocolate flavor, which plays well against the subtle, coffee with cream roast. Those classic English esters help close things out. The body is wonderful, subtly full and featuring that great silky character that one finds in a well executed oatmeal stout. The carbonation is on the low end of the spectrum, just as it should be. There's nothing overly complex or "in your face" about Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, it's just a flawless rendition of one of my favorite styles.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 21:54:03 | More by axeman9182

kojevergas

California

3.68/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Acquired at Trader Joe's as part of their 3 beer/1 glass for $9.99 pack. 550 ml brown glass bottle with foiled-over pressure cap served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are through the roof given its current ratings and reputation as the best oatmeal stout in existence.

Served nearly straight from the refrigerator and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger light tan colour head of good cream and thickness, and good retention. Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque black. Not quite jet black, but it's very dark. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looks as it should for the style.

Sm: Roasted barley, chocolate malt, dark malts, and caramel. The roast is particularly attractive. Very evocative and inviting. I don't detect alcohol or yeast. I'm looking forward to this one.

T: Roasted barley, chocolate malt, dark malts, fired kiln malt, caramel, chocolate, milk, and cream. Some cream. A balanced, enjoyable flavour all around. Well layered. No yeast or alcohol comes through. Any hopping is floral and backgrounded at best. Tasty. Oats come through as it warms; I didn't detect any in my initial pass. Some cola notes throughout, even some herbal character as it warms. Oddly enough, I get some pear fruit. Some earthiness at the base, but subtly executed. Some vanilla/creme brulee hits in the late second act - a highlight of the beer, but one that directly challenges style conventions; it's ballsy, but I like it.

Mf: The coarseness of the roast duels with the rolling smoothness of the oats; the only winner is the consumer. Ideal thickness and carbonation. Wet enough to keep it drinkable but dry enough to satisfy the needs of the style and to complement the flavours. Above all, it's balanced and tailored with/to the flavour profile. A bit heavy on the palate for the modest ABV, but it suits the flavour. It could use more cream.

Dr: Quite drinkable considering its heavy bold flavours and assertive mouthfeel. I rather fancy it. A solid oatmeal stout, and one I'd love to try on nitro/draught. Tasty and enjoyable. A satisfying brew from Samuel Smith's. Is it their best beer? Possibly. I look forward to finding out.

I'd like to try this side by side with the Stockyard Oatmeal Stout also available at Trader Joe's. I worry that I'm rating this a bit high based on outside influences, but it's so yummy.

High B

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:03:05 | More by kojevergas

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a deep brown color with a big and thick tan colored head. The head has a nice level of retention, fading over ~ 5 min to give a decent level of lacing.

Smell- The aroma is big of oats and chocolate. Mixed with these are some sweeter caramel and a light vanilla aroma. A light roasted malt and coffee aroma round out the remainder of the nose creating a sweet and roasty smell overall.

Taste – The taste starts out with a smooth but dry oatmeal and roasty malt taste. A bitter chocolate flavor, that comes quickly after the initial taste, begins to get sweetened as the taste advances further. Flavors of caramel and some vanilla sweeten the brew quite a bit. The brew remains relatively sweet to the end where a light earthy hop joins the flavor. In the end a pleasant sweet oaty and lightly hopped chocolate flavor are left on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the creamier side for an only 5 % abv with a carbonation level that is just below average. Very nice for the stout style and letting all those great dark and malty flavors to be truly sensed by the tongue.

Overall – A delicious stout that isn’t overwhelming with alcohol. It has a wonderful oat and chocolate flavor with just the right balance of sweet and hop.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 01:35:01 | More by Darkmagus82

brother_rat

New York

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: A thing of beauty: a deep, dark, inky black beer, with a thick fluffy dark tan head of uniform bubbles that lingers. Great lacing. 4.5/5
S: The usual sweet stouty smells--chocolate, dark coffee, a bit of caramel--but offset with just a bitter touch of molasses. 3.5/5
T: Yum in a glass: spicy, dark malty, caramel, gummy, hints of caramel and brown sugar and chocolate, but still lighter and more drinkable than other stouts. 4/5
M: Thick, chewy, gummy, with a clingy tart lingering aftertaste. Moderately to undercarbonated, which contributed to the initial sweetness. 4/5
O: Just a great beer, with many classic stout flavors blended well, but overly thick or overly sweet. Just the look of the poured beer is frankly my favorite look in a beer, what gets me the most excited visually: that dark bottom and nice strong stiff head. For me, it's a perfect pair with sticky cakes (shoofly pie, sticky buns), strong smoked meats, or just a gray morning. 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 21:56:34 | More by brother_rat

pkalix

California

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

samuel smith gift pack with the glass.... not bad for $9.99.
beautiful black, with only a sliver of rubiness at the very last bit of the corners. nice, tight, tan head on top. nice lacing down the sides....
dark chocolate aroma, oatmeal (yes), and some bitterness.
taste is the same. bitter after some smooth, thick coating on the tongue.
definitely a heavier brew and one of my favorites for this style, although i prefer a higher abv with my stouts. it's almost comparable to a meal in that the heaviness weighs in the stomach. the appearance is definitely its greatest trait. it feels good in the mouth and is one which can be sessioned- to a degree. a great one from england!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:02:29 | More by pkalix

401J

3.48/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bottle into a wine glass 0n a Tuesday evening in November at sea level in the eastern time zone and shared with a female red head ripe with scorn from a mid level altercation we had earlier in the evening but had been resolved minutes before tasting..

Enjoyed with some French Brie, baguette, and a Johnsonville Summer Sausage with a post apocalypse expiration date..

The appearance of this beer was quite lovely.. A dark chocolate/ruby color when held to light topped by a thin toddler pinkie head that disipates rather quickly.

Nice , mild nose with cherry, chocolate, oatmeal, and chocolate syrup.

The flavor was lighter than expected. Well balanced, a bit sour on the back of the tongue that rounded out with a mild oatmeal. I guess I was hoping for a more full bodied taste with a bit more of an oatmeal presence. A good well balanced brew though.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 14:37:45 | More by 401J

maxk

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured chilled into a snifter

Looks like black coffee, no light gets through this one. Poured with a nice head which settled down to a light bubbly coating atop the beer, leaving a trail down the sides of the glass as it fell.

Smells of chocolate, lightly roasted coffee and caramel.

Tastes somewhat like it smells. Lots of chocolate, some coffee and caramelized sugar. There's a little bit of roasty/smoky flavor. This beer really shines in the mouth feel. It's incredibly rich and creamy.

I view this as the benchmark for oatmeal stouts. It's simple and a prime example of the style. Delicious and rich beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:24:29 | More by maxk

yamar68

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Lovely dark chocolate body produces a hefty three fingers of thick dark tan head - great lacing, great retention.

Lots of sour coffee, creme brulee, chocolate milk, Hershey's, Cheerios, some honey notes, very mellow and very appealing.

Oats. Lots of oats. Oatmeal topped with brown sugar, super smooth, rather lactic, a bit of honey or molasses, super balanced.

So easy to drink - love it.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 05:22:27 | More by yamar68

out4blood

4.23/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My first real stout, and one that I always tend to come back to.

It's got a good "crunchy" flavor and a heavy taste that I love. The drawback for me is that because the beer is not as popular, I've had some bottles that we re slightly off. So I only tend to buy this in high traffic areas.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 00:57:11 | More by out4blood

jibjib513

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type: Bottle to pint glass.

Appearance (4.0): Very dark and opaque. Tan head with nice rentntion.

Smell (3.5): Slight coffee?

Taste (4.0): Very smooth and balanced. Perhaps a hint of chocolate and coffee.

Mouthfeel (3.0): Nice and smooth.

Overall (3.5): This is my first Oatmeal Stout in general, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I am having a difficult time determine the difference between this and a straight stout. Overall though, it is a good tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 01:05:49 | More by jibjib513

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark.dark brown, almost black. Head is bubbly, dark tan, and drops to a small collar in short order. Moderate.carbonation on the pour. Clear.

Smell: Sweet roasted barley. Big oat presence. British yeast and malts are big and aggressive. Very sweet. Milk chocolate and sweetened cocoa. Some alcohol and alcohol soaked cherries. Mild toasted edge. Big toasty sweetness.

Taste: English water. Grassy minerals. Bitter edge of cocoa. Sweet milk chocolate. Roasted barley. Oats, vague hints of oxidized minerals. Chocolate malts and some bready sweetness. Pretty mellow and easy. Building Earthy dampness.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. Lighter body than expected on the light side of medium. Minimal carbonation.

Overall: This is and always will be a standard.

Oats and minerals. This is British and proud of it. Easy drinking and delightfully delicious. Lacks some greater depth, but it's still worth drinking from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 21:35:51 | More by Goblinmunkey7

SHODriver

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: poured into a pint glass to a deep black with a finger and a half of light tan head that slowly fades
S: smells of roast malt and sweet chocoalte
T: huge chocolate and roast malt flavor with a bit of coffee, nice sweetness throughout. swallow brings more roast malt and chocolate with a long lingering finish
M: smooth and full in the mouth with soft carbonation
O: a superb beer and an exceptional example of the style. this beer is a little simple but what it does it does perfectly

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 23:17:01 | More by SHODriver

sommersb

Tennessee

4.48/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted On: 11-08-2012
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 550ml brown bottle, pry-cap with foil
Glassware: Samuel Smith tulip pint
Purchased: Single from Midtown, Nashville

Dark, dark brown beer with red highlights. Head is tan, rocky and huge, showing excellent lacing and retention that stays until the last sip -- a beautiful stout.

Aromas feature dark, sweet malts, like a rich chocolate milkshake but with a roasted quality. Also has smells of molasses and brown bread.

The taste includes flavors of bittersweet chocolate, dark roasted coffee/malts, breadiness and a low earthy hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel has a smooth and creamy texture from the oatmeal, with a medium amount of carbonation. Full-bodied, it finishes with notes of chocolate, toasted breads, lightly sweet with a light bitterness too.

Overall, this is a real treat of a stout and seems to embody the style perfectly.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:28:28 | More by sommersb

Maltmaiden

Alabama

5/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Huge 3 finger thick head that stays around and leaves a film that lingers for the entire time.
Completely black and I can’t see through it.

I smell toasted caramel malts, breadiness, oats, some hops, some chocolate, and a little bit of molasses. Very inviting.

Just as delicious as I remember it being. Very toasty malts, not burnt though. Pretty much all the aromas come through in the flavor in a very thoughtful way. Very well crafted.

Very smooth medium/thick mouthfeel but easy to drink.

Overall: This is an old friend so I'm glad to be reviewing it now. I would buy this all the time but then I wouldn't be able to try other beer haha. This my perfect beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 19:13:33 | More by Maltmaiden

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In the glass the beer has a deep brown black color with no light coming through. On top sits a talldense head mocha in color. Some lacing is left behind as I drink it.

A robust and malty aroma with molasses and anise coming through, mightily weaving in and out of the aromatic bouquet.

Of course one finds a big malty brew but like in the nose molasses and anise are big players almost too big. I detect very faint hints of smoked peat.

Drinks thin on the palette but is smooth flowing.

Overall drinks well but seems to me more akin to a dry stout in that the characteristics of an oatmeal stout are not there. It's not as smooth, velvetty, or sweeter like an oatmeal. I would at the very least expect it to be heavier on the palette.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 13:53:06 | More by micromaniac129