Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout - Rogue Ales

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What an unexpectedly good stout. I know it was highly ranked, but now I know it really deserves to be so.

Dark with thick head. Goes down to a lace and then, after a while, to a small lace. Smooth mouthfeel.

Taste is where this baby shines though. Roasted, but closer to the porter end of the spectrum. That makes it quite drinkable.

I could drink a bunch of these, and while I like stouts, stouts aren't my go-to style. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2006 21:41:37 | More by GeoffFromSJ

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Chocolate stout that is smooth and creamy..has a bitter finish at the end of each sip reminding you that it is a Stout and also a Rogue product. Black dark malty with a full nose of hops and wonderful creamy head..highly drinkable and a great apertif with chocolate.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2006 23:42:56 | More by bierman2000

imrichbeeeatch

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Draught at the Rogue Public House in NW Portland. Pours rich frothy head that looks similar to espresso. Dark ink black not allowing any light to pass through. Smells strongly of roasted malts, nice chocolate, and sweet cream. No hops are present in the aroma. I know they are in there, but the roast overpowers them. First taste is bitter, but not from hops, from roast. Almost astringent. Chocolate and espresso fill your mouth next, very nice, followed by a sharp almost harsh bitterness. Again from roast not hops. NIce full, rich, slick mouthfeel. Oily and coating, from the oats one can presume. I decided to sit on this for a while and let it warm up seeing as it was very cold from the tap. At first it seemed to bring out this harshness even more, but after a few drinks, it went away. It is so much better slightly below room temperature. Definite balance. A decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2006 01:08:09 | More by imrichbeeeatch

bultrey

New York

4.7/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've had this so many times, but never reviewed it... don't know what made me decide to finally do so - maybe it was the mild night air that inspired me when I had this on draft at the Rogue Public House in SF.
This remains one of the hoppiest non-imperial stouts around, which gives this a flavor unlike any other. Delicious chocolate and nut tones are present up front, followed by a bracing hop bitterness that extinguishes the sweetness... but no to be outdone, the nutty, burnt, grain husk flavor re-emerges in the finish, beckoning you to take another sip.
An absolute classic.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2005 06:52:26 | More by bultrey

sinistrsam

Maryland

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A little thicker than other Stouts I've had, this was a very dark black/brown with a very small head. No retention whatsoever on the glass. I can only describe the appearance as "creamy", if that makes sense; just as I described the Sam Smith's as watery. The aroma was wonderful, very dark fruit, malts, yeast, chocolate. Then I tasted it. The balance of really good ingredients and subtleties of flavor made this beer excellent in my mind. It started off with a sweet, dark fruit taste, hints of yeast, malt, chocolate and mild caramel faded into oatmeal. I definitely wasn't expectin the oatmeal but it only grew more intense as the glass warmed. It was smooth and creamy, warming and the bottom of the glass was as tasty as the first sip. Excellent brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2005 17:20:06 | More by sinistrsam

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Whoa mamma. I'm surprised that I haven't rated this beer yet. I'm glad because it never tasted better than it did on tap at Barley's, Knoxville TN. Of course it's opaque black and has great head retention. This beer is surprisingly mellow and smooth, both in texture and flavor, to be so bold and flavorful. They get great malt flavors, chocolate flavors, and coffee flavors without a hint of astringency. Solid hopping does not leave the beer unnecessarily bitter, metalic, or acidic. It's as creamy as marshmellows, but easier to drink. Finishes mildly coffee-like and lightly bitter. I could drink this one all night.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2005 20:36:32 | More by BEERchitect

burnstar

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass at Zeno's. This is black with a nice thick frothy tan head. Smell is chocolatey malt with some coffee and perhaps some hoppy aromas in the background. Taste is roasted malt at first followed quickly by strong chocolate and coffee flavors. Finishes with some nice citrusy hop bitterness. Very nice thick mouthfeel and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2005 01:23:37 | More by burnstar

stcules

Italy

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black. Brownish head, not very beautiful to see.
At the nose it is silk, softness, smoothness. Very smooth. Sweet, with roasted notes, and a lot of cocoa and chocolate. Very good.
The taste it is infinitely soft and smooth, with stout character, sweetness, but with a good bitterness that makes it very well balanced. Obviously again roasted and chocolate notes. Good.
Medium body.
Great drinkability.

Serving type: cask

08-28-2005 20:12:04 | More by stcules

shippos

New York

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

poured black with a thick dense cscading dark chocolate head.
creamy grassy aroma with a dry roasted grain character.
nice mildly rich mouthfeel witha a smooth silky texture, nice roasted taste witha a good balanced finish. definete hop presence balanced with both characters coming out in there own way.
excellent

Serving type: growler

06-16-2005 21:45:36 | More by shippos

JackTheRipper

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on cask at Fatheads in Pittsburgh.
A: Served in a nice fat mug. Dark dark brown with a steamer of a head. Head was almost two inches, thick and sticky and brown in color. Nice lacing. Head was down to a collar about halfway through this beer.

S: Dark roasty malts. Nice level of a caramel/coffee aroma. Low level of hop aromas. Smells were just a bit too faint to score higher, but still very nice.

T: Sweet malty profile, notes of caramel. Mildly bitter coffee flavors throughout. Couldn't really taste any burnt flavors. Hops seem there just to balance out the sweetness and do it marvelously. Aftertaste is a nice lingering bitterness. Really good tastes.

M: Smooth and creamy and served at perfect temperature. Low feel of carbonation. Full and chewy body. Low alcoholic warmth.

D&N: Dangerously drinkable. I'm totally in love with cask conditioned dark beers now. If you see this one on cask, drop everything and go have a pint, you won't regret it.

Serving type: cask

05-25-2005 05:04:40 | More by JackTheRipper

charlatan

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.68/5  rDev -12%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bought this on tap at Kelly's Olympian in Portland. As usual with Rogue brews, it came at a hefty premium (an extra 75c) over the other craft brews.

Dark as one would expect with a thick, light brown coloured head which made the feel luxurious for the first few sips.

Smells sweet and malty.

As I hinted above, the feel is wonderful. Early on I feel like I am draining a light mousse, but even as the head dissipates the beer still slides down very smoothly.

The taste in sequence: cream; brown bread; chocolate; coffee; hint of hops (nothing like the potency I am used to from Rogue); oatmeal.

Fortunately for me the coffee flavour is very faint, and is insignificant in comparison with the others.

Unusually for a stout I feel that I could down a few of these in a row, although I doubt I would want to. One is enough - a very pleasant stout, but more of curiosity than a session beer for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2005 08:50:26 | More by charlatan

Backer2004

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I will never forget last night when I tried this one out at the Town Pump bar in Black Mountain, NC. My drunk co-worker bought this for a female friend who wanted a Bud Light. She handed this off to me. When I left for the bathroom, I came back to find out the guy poured half the pint glass into his. After enjoying my half (which was one of the best stouts I've experience), the guy fell into the band's music stands and upright bass. The owner and bassist almost kicked his ass as he continued to argue with everyone. We all got kicked out but at least the owner told me I could come back (after I paid with the guys credit card and left him a fat tip). Memories.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2005 04:00:02 | More by Backer2004

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice stout. Dark as night when served, some cola colored highlights. Low head. Chocolate in the aroma. Taste I found to be chocolate to start, roasted coffee bean to finish. Easy to drink, nicely balanced, good flavor. I enjoyed this brew, even though stouts aren't my favorite style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2004 18:55:11 | More by PatandDavid

Denali

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Flying Saucer in Nashville, TN.

Looks like black mud. Like a black hole, no light is getting through this one. Nice thick tan head that laced like crazy.

At first sip I was suprised that I wasn't inundated with flavor - the mouthfeel was thinner than expected and there was almost no flavor at all and then, bang! Licorice and fig flavors suddenly come through. Floral hops come in next. Roasted coffee flavors then dominate and last through the aftertaste, along with a hoppy bitterness. Very tasty stout with a strong hop presence.

On some sips, the flavor was immediate, while on other sips, the flavors were delayed. Taste was very reminiscent of Nailbiter. I would have preferred a thicker mouthfeel but a very nice beer nevertheless.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2004 04:53:37 | More by Denali

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer arrived pitch black with a brown tall head which lasted to lace...no coat...the glass.

The aroma was chocolate and coffee, fruity, with a nice hop presence.

The flavor was chocolate with coffee with a very well accomplished hop bitterness and American hop presence.

The finish was dry with chocolate and coffee and hop bitterness lasting well into the aftertaste. The body was full.

Pint at Barley's in Knoxville.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2004 01:30:03 | More by GCBrewingCo

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Once upon a time Rogue brewed its masterful ales in Ashland, OR, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Ashland is a small town with about six Shakespeare theaters and it seems as though every waitress and bartender is an actor of some stripe. The flood of ’96 washed out Rogue’s Ashland operation and the brewery expanded into its present location in Newport. But the Shakespeare theme has endured and Shakespeare Stout is a Rogue milestone.

Everything good you’ve ever heard about this beer is true. It is black as night, full-bodied and opaque, and has a luxurious chewy mouthfeel. The aroma is dry – faint though fragrant. The lace is flawless, and the taste is creamy and dry with a delicate brush of mocha. The finish lingers like a church bell in the mist.

I drank this at the Rogue Public House in Newport and found it to be a world class stout, mellow enough for sessions. A true champion.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-28-2004 22:01:42 | More by RedDiamond

Wildman

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Shakespeare's Pub:

I saw this on tap and could not pass up a chance to try this on tap. This beer poured as black as the night and formed a deep tan foamy head that left latticed lace as it subsided. A heavy aroma of malt, hops, milk chocolate and expresso coffee. The flavor was of malt, hops, coffee and chocolate, with the chocolate dominating. The body was a medium light quality and the finish was bittersweet. Now if only I could find it around here on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2004 01:11:34 | More by Wildman

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one gravity poured from the cask at NERAX last nite.
Served in great condition,light carbonation, perfectly chilled and a black beauty. Little to no head and opaque. Aromas of roasted malts,bitter chocolate and a hint of licorice.
Flavors are more complex than the bottled version with a big drying bitterness standing out. Roasty and chocolaty with buiscuits and oreo tops. Underlying hops and fruit with a lingering, drying finish.
A great beer that lends itself very well to cask. It would be better through a beer engine.

Serving type: cask

04-30-2004 12:36:06 | More by brewandbbq

Nytemare

Oklahoma

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well then, had a chance to have this on tap. A few subtle differences, but not much. Nice dark, dark brown with a very brown head. Malty, chocolaty, espresso smell, and loaded with about the same flavor. It seemed to me the hoppiness wasn't as predominate in the tap version. But this doesn't make it bad, just a little less exciting. Full bodied with only a little bite from the carbonation. As stated before, I will continue to drink these, over and over again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2004 15:43:36 | More by Nytemare

UnionMade

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep, solid black, completely opaque, topped with a thin film of beige head. The head dies out completely after about halfway through the pint.
The aroma is a strong, rich burnt coffee roastiness, with a rather assertive hopping. Slightly herbal, but mostly citric pacific northwest pungency. A bit of yeast hazelnut, with faint plum esters. Some light chocolate malt as it warms. Unusual and highly hopped for a stout, but it's certainly enjoyable.
The flavor starts with an intense burnt, bittersweet malt. Similar to charred toast, with a cup of week old black coffee. Pleasant, despite the description. Faint plum esters peek through timidly, maostly drowned out by the malt and an ominous storm cloud of oncoming hops. The clouds open up and release a rain of oily citric hop bitterness, intensified by the burnt malt. A very pleasant bitter finish, with bittersweet mocha and a beautifully citric hop bite. Ever so slight yeast in the finish, picking up a slight nutty breadiness in the aftertaste. Black coffee astringency lingers in the aftertaste for eons. Medium bodied, with moderate, unassuming carbonation that carries the flavor well.
Way overhopped for what I expect from a stout, but it's quite tasty. A challenging brew, bordering on imperial stout in it's intensity. Not something I'd want on a daily basis, but I think I'll keep a bottle in the fridge for those extra crappy days at work, when you're really jonesing for a powerfully flavored beer to relax with.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2004 08:56:32 | More by UnionMade

pheurton

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

cascading midnight black with a creamy dark brown head...awesome. grainy roasted oatmeal aroma. medium body with a relativley low amount of carbonation...seems to suit the brew. deep creamy dark roasted oat flavor with an earthy hop bitterness. extraodinarily balanced. absolutely the most drinkable stout i've come across. an essential brew and a must-try for anyone whose even slightly into stouts.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2004 19:53:09 | More by pheurton

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.88/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a deep, dark black/brown with a dark tan head. Aroma is heavy milk chocolate with some roasted barley and maybe coffee hints. Taste is very chocolately and chewy with bitter hop and resin end. Mouthfell is excellent, all alcohol feeling is hidden by prepdonerence of malt.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2003 20:58:10 | More by CRJMellor

shirfan

New York

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dark as night, a tiny hint of ruby at the bottom of the glass. A decent-sized head forms and leaves sticky lace for the duration.

Smell is roasty malt and mild grapefruit.

Taste is primarily of vanilla and chocolate all at the same time; the twister cone of stouts. Takes the middle ground between bitter and sweet; there's a light, almost airy, but still substantial feel. Finishes on a slightly tangy, citric hops note. A well delayed, mild aftertaste leaves more notification of cascades.

An especially drinkable stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2003 03:21:09 | More by shirfan

yankeeheel

Maine

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the now infamous 22oz silk screened bottle. beautifully black with a two finger tan head. Good retention and lacing on this one. Lots of coffee and earthy tones in this one. A great smelling beer.

Big rush of dark and burt malt tower over the initial part of the taste. This is followed by a a very dry middle. The end seems to get that classic dry stout bitterness, but then you get a slight sweetness of coffee ice cream. I can't explian the finish. Quite different. It's got that classic big, fat, chewy, oily stout mouthfeel.

A really good dry stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2003 00:57:53 | More by yankeeheel

Sixpack595

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A nearly perfect black with a rapidly receding tan head. Very strong expresso and toated flavor. Bitter and dry its quite a tasty brew, but I wouldn't quite call it great. Not sure what it is about Rogue beers that disappoints me, but I will say this one is drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2003 08:03:56 | More by Sixpack595