Founders Oatmeal Stout - Founders Brewing Company

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

jet black, and thick looking as well with an almost oil like appearance, really quite nice. Rich chocolate colored tan foam that rose up a good two inches over the top of the glass before finally settling down to a thin half inch layer that lasted the rest of the session, but not before dropping copious amounts of side glass lace all over the sides. Really nice and a classic stout look.

So as I go in and take a closer look I was a bit surprised to be honest. This really did not smell much like an oatmeal stout. At least to me it was much more reminiscent of a Baltic porter, well at first it did. It had that sharp alcohol nose to it and a hint of some dark spicy fruit mixed in. Quite interesting and definitely more then a little unique. I decided to let it warm to really bring out what was hiding in here and then came out the nice sweet notes of chocolate and coffee along with hints of lactose that I was looking for. The flavors followed along with a hint again something sweet, but yet a tart sort of fruit flavor as well. Very nice. Very rich full body on this one with great carbonation that never really gave up any ground at all.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 03:28:14 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nitro-tap at the brewery.

Pours near black with a fairly-thick tan head with pretty good retention, though nothing exceptional for a nitro beer. A bit of lacing on the way down. The nose brings a good amount of roast plus some chocolate and a slight amount of coffee. The toast is dry and quite roasty. Chocolate and coffee there. Mouthfeel is a bit too roasted and dry; medium body. Drinks quite well and is one of the better oatmeal stouts I've had, though nothing really stands out here.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-02-2011 03:29:30 | More by Thorpe429

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Added from notes I have finally gotten around to adding that I took over thanksgiving weekend last year.

A: single finger head on a jet black body, no real light getting through. Good head retention.

S: roasted malts, sweet chocolate malts and mocha/coffee notes.

T: follows the nose with more roasted malts, a slight hop bitterness and coffee/cocoa notes to the finish.

M: full bodied and moderate carbonation. semi-dry finish.

Overall: Lots of flavor for the low ABV. One of the better oatmeal stouts which at times can be "under-powered" for flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 01:25:03 | More by kylehay2004

LilBeerDoctor

New York

2.55/5  rDev -35.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed on 6/27/2010. On nitro tap at Founders. Pours black with a thick nitro head. Aroma of sweet roasted malt and an odd skunk-like aroma (odd in a tap beer, but it was there). Flavor of sweet roasted malt plus the odd skunk (less apparent but still there). It was very bland tasting -- not bad just bland. I was disappointed, as I had expected better from Founders but this is not one of their winners.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-24-2010 00:50:41 | More by LilBeerDoctor

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Man, this is tasty stuff! Served with a fine, foamy, creamy, light brown head that lasts a while and lots of lace. Color is an opaque brown black. Aroma is roast, toast, cocoa, malt. Taste is like nose and has a great bitter/sweet balance off set with a little carbonic tang that works perfectly. Body is great and so is carbonation. Finish is like flavor and fairly long. Session beer for slower drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2010 00:55:24 | More by drpimento

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at The Pony Bar in New York, NY

A: Pours a dark black with a finger high tan head. The head reduces to a thing layer of bubbles across the entire top of the beer. Significant lacing is observed.

S: Very mild smell with hints of roasted malts, caramel, and a subtle chocolate + coffee.

T: Moderate amounts of roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and oats (like in an oat bran bread). Nice complexity and some subtle hints of sweetness that I generally associate more with a milk stout. No taste of alcohol but that is not surprising considering the low ABV.

M: Medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly thin and dry in the finish.

O: Pretty easy to drink and combined with low ABV make it quite sessionable. Very enjoyable with a light flavor and one to have again if I come across it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2012 01:17:55 | More by dbrauneis

GbVDave

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass at Founders 1/6/08. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Served a deep, dark, black with a creamy, khaki-colored head. Beautiful cascade that left curtains of lace.

S: Big aromas of deeply roasted malt and bitter chocolate.

T: Roasty malt, bitter dark chocolate, tangy dark fruit, cocoa, and hops. Some creamy lactose qualities.

M: Smoooth! Little bitter whack at the finish.

D: A true session stout! Another excellent Founders beer that really should be bottled.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-09-2008 00:56:28 | More by GbVDave

Mitchster

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in the company of Mike and Tim at the brewery.

Served on nitro tap, forming a cascading pallisade of creamy tan bubbles in contrast to the semi-hazy nearly black brew, forming a creamy tan head with butter yellow accents. Retention and lacing are exceptional. Aroma of grassy hops, chocolate bars, iced coffee, some dark fruits, and must. Mouthfeel is creamy with a medium-dense body. Carbonation is mild. Taste includes the requisite coffee and chocolate bit, but with a creamy vanilla/oatmeal body and a lingering weaker coffee note...some rye/pumpernickel bread with fresh green hops and a mild bitterness in the coffeeish finish.

This is very good stuff! Another exceptional brew from Founders!

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-17-2004 23:43:57 | More by Mitchster

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On nitro-tap at the brewery.

A - Dark black with one finger of creamy light brown head with good retention.

S - Roasted malts, a nice sweetness, some coffee.

T - Sweet roasted malts. Some coffee. Some bittermess in the finish.

M - Creamy. Light carbonation.

D - A superb stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-14-2011 14:22:15 | More by TheSevenDuffs

sweemzander

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Nitro tap pour at Founders

(A)- Brought to me while still cascading! Fantastic pitch black color with a creamy looking tan head that isnt going anywhere; it is still present with the last sip and left lacing all the way down the glass as it was consumed.

(S)- Toasted nuts and coffee with a touch of cocoa dusted raisins.

(T)- Dry, yet creamy cocoa and coffee with a touch of burnt bitterness yet is slightly sweet. Molasses and raisins in the background. A little nuttiness thrown in with the coffee character; hazelnut?

(M)- Superb balance and carbonation level. A bit lighter in body that I expected; this reminds me more of a dry irish stout like Guinness. Creamy smooth going down.

(D)- This is something you order a keg of! Has everything great about a stout and has the drinkability of a great session beer. Fantastic flavor, balance, and drinkability?! Just solid stuff. My only complaint is where is the oatmeal? This just reminds me of an Irish dry stout to me.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-31-2009 15:13:35 | More by sweemzander

mcallister

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark, nearly black, with no penetration of light. Creamy tan head rests atop with spectacular retention. Leaves thick creamy lace as it slowly fades away.

Hard to pull anything out of the nose on this one. A little coffee, with a oaty, whole grain, dark chocolate sense.

Unbelievably smooth rich and creamy. Dark chocolate prevails, with a vanilla, oatmeal twist. Bold statements of strong coffee. Very delicious and refreshing and drinkable as hell.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-08-2006 16:10:34 | More by mcallister

Phatz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On nitro-tap at the brewery the day after DLD. What I am told is that the grain bill for the Breakfast and KBS are so massive that they re-use the same grains for this beer. It is a simple roasty session beer more similar to any other Irish Dry Stout that you'd get on Nitro-tap. I didn't find much resembling oatmeal in this beer. Yes maybe a hint, but I think you will be less disappointed if you simply consider this an Irish dry Stout. That is just my opinion.

Appearance: is perfect!!! Of course the nitro makes that happen but is a gorgeous pour with excellent cascading carbonation and a head that continues to grow and form even after the beer is set in front of me. The head lasts almost the entire duration of the beer and the lacing is big chucky foam spot pasted to the glass none other.

Smell: Where did it go. As beautiful as the beer sitting here is... where did the big beautiful aroma go? After some searching, burying my nose in the beer I could faintly detect the roasty grains and suggestions of coffee but it is not aromatic like I would expect from a true Oatmeal Stout, or especially that of a monster oatmeal stout like Breakfast Stout. Clearly this is the left over. Oh well.

Taste: Very roasty and dry. Roasty coffee and chocolate and mostly just dark grains and malt, some burnt cocoa as well.

Mouthfeel: Exceptionally smooth with the nitro. Nice body.

Drinkability: As a Guinness fan in the past I reserve a special appreciation for a good sessionable stout. This one is comparable to a good beer in that style.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-05-2007 06:21:02 | More by Phatz

nrbw23

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a black body with a thick, creamy, tan colored head that sits on top of this brew and does not move. Looks really great.

S- Smells of chocolate, roast and some coffee.

T- Creamy, malty, with the dark and roast coming through very nicely.

M- Medium in body and goes down easy.

D- Pretty easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2008 19:26:42 | More by nrbw23

granger10

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

My first nitro-tap. Obviously it took awhile for the head to dissipate but eventually I got a dark beer with a creamy tan head. I really couldn't get much from the aroma because of the nitro (i think). The taste was very roasted. Roasted oatmeal, roasted coffee, and more roasted grains (i think i tasted rye). This beer had a definite bitterness to it which I think is from the grains (not a hoppy bitterness). However there was an acidity in the finish that I could've done without. A really good beer that I would like to try without the nitro, but I'm glad I tried it atleast once on nitro-tap.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-11-2004 17:16:20 | More by granger10

adamette

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap at the brewery yesterday during my visit there into a clean, clear pint glass.

A GREAT creamy head that lasts for 15 minutes. Appropriately black body with no light getting through. Lace is more like a curtain of creamy silk. 5.0

S Dark roast malt with oatmeal grains. Right on target for the style. 4.0

T Nice, deep dark roast malt, oatmeal, bread like feel. A great oatmeal stout, almost as good as Dark Horse Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout that I had a few days ago for the first time. 4.5

M Thinner than I expected but the creamy head and oatmeal tastes make this like bread in a pint. 4.0

D Fair. The style does not lend itself to be particularly drinkable in my opinion. Make no mistake, this is a great beer but the style is not terribly drinkable. 3.0

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 02:43:02 | More by adamette

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Founders. Poured into a pilsner type glass. Pours a deep brown non see through color with a pillowy tight bubbled head. This on nitro? Sure f'ing is I'm told. Looks very Guinnessy. Roasted malt type aroma with a nutty type notes. Very creamy mouthfeel. Light coffee aftertaste with the some sweetness. Very creamy. Good lace.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2010 20:54:55 | More by kbutler1

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Founders. Pours a dark brown in color with a nice half inch head. Smell is black malt and a little coffee. Nice and creamy on the mouthfeel. A decent beer, but lacking the complexity and bombardment of flavor that you get in most Founders beers. I guess you get spoiled drinking Breakfast and Kentucky Breakfast and truly don't appreciate a well made oatmeal stout like this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2009 19:11:09 | More by FtownThrowDown

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.86/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This brew was served on nitro at the Founders Brewing Company taproom in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It arrived in a generic nonic, showing the deepest brown coloring, with ruby hues let up towards the bottom. It held a two finger head of that creamy, latte colored nitro foam, showing great retention. Heavy rings of lacing were left as it slowly dissipated, but at no point was it completely gone. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared to be moderate. The aroma gave heavy dark chocolate syrups, roasted toffees, molasses, chalky brick dryness, salts, floral airs, and whole milk fattiness. With warmth the nose became much more syrupy, soured, and chocolatey, with a smoked bacon meatiness echoing in the distance. Our first impression was that the flavoring was nicely creamy and smooth, which was enhanced by the beer’s tactile softness, which actually boosted the flavoring. As we sipped, the taste began with sweet cream, chicory woodiness, big drying chocolate and coffee malts, metallics, soy sauce saltiness, and the depth and roast of coffees. The peak of the swallow was a bit watered through, but gave twangs of mineral and gravel, dust and musk, chalkiness, juicy coffee acidity, and light charcoals. Washing through the finish was more soured vinegar bite, continued chalk, hearty oat smoothness, big roastiness of chocolate malts, cooked brown sugars, milkiness, mineral, and burning medicinals to match. The aftertaste breathed of chalky dryness, cocoa powder, baker’s yeast, floured oat, dirty earthiness, dust, and surprising smokiness on the way back. The body was light to medium, and the carbonation was medium. The feel was insanely smooth and creamy, thanks to the nitro, with good sip, slurp, and froth. The latter initially coats and wets the mouth, dripping into eventual chalky astringency. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank easily.

Overall, what we liked best about this beer was its look, and the general roastiness through both the nose and the flavoring. For an oatmeal stout the aroma stayed way roasty, sweet, and happily smoky for the style, while the flavoring showed robustness, but did cheapen a bit along with the feel as the beer warmed. The feel did begin soft and silky, but as the tasting went on it lost that bright effervescence and became a bit watery. Otherwise it is nicely contributory and actually bolsters the creaminess and milk chocolates of the taste. This is a tasty offering, and pleasant on nitro, but be sure to drink it on the cooler side for that full effect.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-19-2013 15:12:30 | More by TheBrewo

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.61/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2013-03-30 at the brew pub

A - opaque dark brown with strong tan head and great lace

S - almost no smell

T - somewhat sour malt with a bit if chocolate and decent roasted and hop bitterness.

M - creamy. Medium body and very light carbonation.

O - decent but won't seek it out. Kudos for lots of flavor for low ABV.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-30-2013 16:16:17 | More by Tucquan

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

reviewed from notes.
Drank @ Founders taproom on 9/30/2011.

Bar keep poured this beer into Nonic / Imperial style Pint glass.

Appearance: medium black colored beer. Huge fluffy, creamy, & pillowy head thats off white in color. The lacing on this beer is amazing! You can see every time I took a drink of this beer marked by a line on side of the glass! Heavy thick lacing.

Smell: Really mild nose barely getting any major smells from this beer. Maybe some chocolate and roast. Subtle.

Taste: Nice mild to moderate roastiness from the malts. Mild oaty note; some nice combonation of bakers & milk chocolates. Its quite robust for an oatmeal stout with such a low abv.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel has some wow factor in this beer. Low end of medium bodied beer with a lower low carbonation. The beer is as paradox because it is very drinkable, but it still feels heavier than a session beer because of the robust flavors. Ultra creamy and silky. Ultimate oatmeal stout as far as the mouthfeel is concerned!

Overall: This is without a doubt my favorite oatmeal stout. I have drank it many times visiting the Founder Taproom and I always look forward to it being at the Taproom! If you love Oatmeal Stouts you better try this. Founders PLEASE bottle this beer!

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 21:08:51 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured black in color with 3/4" of creamy eggshell head, great lacing all the way through with retention that just won't go away. Smells of toasted malt, chocolate, oat, and a slight hint of coffee. Tastes of roasted oat, chocolate malt, and coffee with a dry roasted malt/floral hop finish. Medium in body, smooth and creamy with nice roasted flavors. Goes down easy, great flavors and low ABV make this a quite sessionable beer for stout lovers.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-30-2008 03:33:23 | More by HopDerek

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: black w tan head and good lacing.
S: chocolate and coffee.
T: really nice, drinks a bit bigger than the abv suggests. Well balanced between the lightly sweet dark roasty malts and smooth hop bitterness. Not overly roasty but rich and creamy.
M: drinks bigger than it is, almost medium bodied. Creamy roundish mouthfeel but not slick. Well carbonated and frothy.
D: great at this abv. Had a couple, hopefully they bottle this.
Note: this was not nitro

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 22:58:27 | More by MrMcGibblets

WakeandBake

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nitro Tap @ Founders. A very dark black with tuns of fluffy tan head.Aroma of bitter sweet chocolate,and very dark roasted grains,coffee,and vanilla.Flavoris very dark roasted grain,chocolate,and coffee,some sweet notes and oat type grain hints.Smooth creamy mouthfeel with a dry roasty finish,very good.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2009 02:01:14 | More by WakeandBake

kzoobrew

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep black body, appeared to be opaque. Creamy malted milk colored head seated atop. Very impressive retention, to be expected in a beer from nitro tap, clearing scattered lacing clinging to the glass.

Hints of chocolate and roasted malts. The aroma is rather subdued overall. I was not expecting huge aromas but hoped for something a bit brighter.

Much like the aroma, the flavors are rather soft. Roasted malt and slight bitter cocoa powder. Very earthy flavor underneath. Simple and solid flavor, does leave you wanting something more.

Medium bodied stout. Smooth and creamy texture though you can thank the nitro tap for this.

Easy drinking low alcohol stout. Could certainly enjoy a few in a sitting but it would be easy to become bored. A very solid beer overall but it just a bit boring.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-23-2011 01:09:12 | More by kzoobrew

wingman14

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This one is a winner. Pours a midnight black with a dark tan head that fades quickly. Smells a little sweet with burnt characteristics. Taste is similar but amazingly smooth. I have never had a beer this smooth. The only thing close was Murphy's Stout, but this is up a notch. The taste was great as well as the mouthfeel. This beer was like velvet across the palette. I enjoyed it very much. I could drink these at any time, a very versatile beer. Go to founders and pick one of these up! Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2006 02:17:38 | More by wingman14