Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout - Rogue Ales

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is probably one of Rogue's best beers. I was happy to have finally gotten some one day at a local Wegman's when I was there. The beer poured out as a deep black color with what appeared to be a pretty thick body! Surprising for Rogue to have something like this from what I've had from them in the past. The smell of this beer is big, roasted, malty, and chocolaty. The taste follows the same path, it's got a lot of roasted malts and chocolate in the mix. The mouthfeel of the beer is indeed pretty thick, I'm very happy that this beer actually has some good body to it. Overall I think this was really nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 21:30:13 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured midnight black with a massive cocca-colred head. Head settled in at 1/3" and had average retention and lacing

Smell: Some Malt and alcohol

Taste: Big toasty malt upfront followed by coffee, licorice and rich choclate notes with dryness on the finish. Didn't quite find it's place on my taste buds, almost

MF: Very smooth and morish

Pretty drinkable but doesn't quite come all the way together for me. A good stout never the less

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2006 04:30:41 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

Pours with a thick creamy, light chocolate brown head that sits atop an opaque deep brown to black beer. The aroma is slightly acidic in its roastiness, and it has notes of chocolate, espresso, and alcohol. It has a creamy mouthfeel up front, and a sharp acidic roast malt bite in the finish. Espresso dominates over the chocolate, which is the opposite sense I got in the aroma. The dark malt notes of roasted barley, and burnt malt dominates this beer. Not much in the way of hops is noticeable above all of the roast character, but there is a nice hop bite in the finish that is a bit bracing and let you know that this beer is in fact 69 IBUs. A very nice stout that I have always had a soft spot for.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2004 17:02:53 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

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

22 oz. bomber,

A: Dark black, opaque, with a thick, brown head, which dissipates to a tan film, with good retention and lacing. The beer looks quite thick when it is poured out.

S: Not terribly robust, but smells great though, smells like a mix of German chocolate cake, roasted cacao nibs, and mocha coffee.

T: Very good, very sweet, but not cloying, has that sweet, almost peaty oat malt taste, with lots of rich milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Quite a complex chocolate flavor.

M: Smooth, thick and rich, but not overpowering, full-bodied.

D: A great stout, handsome and smooth, probably my favourite everyday beer from Rogue.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2007 05:32:36 | More by Halcyondays

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

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

9 bucks at a pub when this bottle goes for around 8 at the store? Can't pass that up...

This beer pours a nice black, with red edges, and two fingers of creamy tan head, which leaves sparse, but consistent lace around the glass. It smells of mild milk chocolate, and caramel malt. The taste is roasted chocolate malt, a bit of coffee, a wee bit of nuttiness, and some bitter pine hops. The carbonation is moderate, the body smooth and a bit less than medium weight, and the finish is dry, the bitter chocolate become more pronounced.

A decent, solid example of the style, offering the flavour, if not the weight or ABV, of a much bigger beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 02:20:30 | More by biboergosum

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: pours black in color with a one finger caramel colored head. The head falls quickly, but remains a thick surface foam. Spotty lacing develops.

Smell: roasted malts and coffee, with some hints of dark chocolate.

Taste: follows the nose, as bold roasted malts, strong coffee, molasses, and a stronger than normal bitterness is rounded with some soft chocolate and prune tones.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start, with a very dry lightly crisp finish. Medium-heavy in body. Roasted tones and coffee linger well into the aftertaste.

Drinkability: superbly drinkable stout, as the full robust flavors leave you wanting another taste quickly. A great stout everyone should seek out.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2006 20:10:16 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured pitch black with a thick, bubbly brownish head. The color was great - the head disappeared to leave just traces fairly rapidly.
The smell was of chocolaty oats with hints of fruity hops. The aroma was fairly strong - but pleasant - earthy tones.
The taste was of sweet chocolate blended with some bitter, fruity hops and a touch of yeast. As the drink progressed, more flavors became more manifest. After a few sips, I read the bottle more closely and saw that there were nine ingredients. I was not surprised, as it is a richly complex stout. The taste was very enjoyable.
It left a nice taste in the mouth - one that I would expect from a good stout. The alcohol was well-hidden. It was rich and creamy.
The impression it left me with was haven eaten a bowl of oatmeal accompanied with a rich chocolate milk.
This is a great, complex stout to have as a dessert drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2006 17:57:47 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

On-tap, appropriately, at Shakespeare's in Kalamazoo.

First off, I have to mention this was only $3.75 for a 20 oz. pint while it costs $5.25 for a 22 oz. bomber at Tiffany's in K-zoo. Anyways, Shakespeare Stout is basically, combines a rich and smooth cocoa and coffee malt profile with IPA-like hops flavors. It's a great mix of chocolate and citrus hops, hop chocolate if you will. I think the yeast masks, or takes the edge off, the grains. They're just not as big or complex as a good stout could be. Another good example of a bitter, but dark beer is Smuttynose's Robust Porter, check that out for the malt profile I'm talking about.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2007 20:38:09 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a 22 oz silk-screened bomber served in a Great Lakes tumbler (thanks, BigErn, for the glassware). The ale is cool.

A: The stout is an opaque, oil-black beast with a coffee (with milk) colored head and a fingers-worth of lace.

S: The stout has a soft, slightly sweet roasted malt aroma.

T: This stout is a solid west coast version, with a pronounced hop content. The malts are roasted and deep, adding a good deal of big taste to this beer. There are some chocolatey notes hidden in there too.

M: The stout is very drinkable with a manageable abv of 6%.

D: Very drinkable, the hops are not too strong (like their Impy Stout) but they provide a nice presence.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2006 21:52:13 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Have had it in the bottle before, and remember loving it. So, I saw it on the hand pump at The Sharp Edge Creekhouse and I couldn't pass it up. This beer is huge, the appearance is a deep ruby black body with a nice pillowing tannish brown head. The first sniff, I was shocked at the amount of cascade hop aroma that hit me in the face. The deep chocolate and coffee tones make this beer's aroma irrisistable. As I took my first couple sips, I just sat and thought to myself that this must be one of the most drinkable in your face stouts I have come across at this point. It is wonderful, pushes the envelop and with the harsher flavor of the dark malts on the tongue, the clashing of the hops are there to mellow everything out and form this amazing brew. On the cask this beer is very smooth, and inviting to the palate. Each sip takes on a creamier sensation to the mouth. Believe it or not this is the type of stout that could be enjoyed in pairs or more, because once you have one you want your glass to be full again.

Serving type: cask

02-19-2003 11:26:36 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark and very little light can get through (though a wee bit does). Nose is almost a gummy cocoa. You get that roasted coffee and chocolate that you come to expect from some of the great stouts. But the flavor. Oh baby, the flavor. Rich and full with strong coffee tones and it just stays constant with a slight change throughout the life of it on your mouth. Feel is smooth and it is very drinkable. Even more so than the Imperial Stout for the obvious reasons of course.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 06:18:21 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The prime example of a GREAT Stout!! Poured into a Rogue pint glass at the Issaquah Brewhouse. Very opaque black with a thin somewhat dark head that was somewhat diminishing and lest spotty lacing. Aroma was everything I'd expect in a stout but just a little more complex. Taste was very much in tune with a good stout, definite characteristics of rich chocolate and coffee with the necessary presence of roasted barley. Mouthfeel was somewhat on the heavy side for a 6% beer, however, this is a great warmer for a cold winter night in Washington.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2008 00:56:50 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Faint light will show through; still this is a near mahogany color. Hard to say, but it appears clear. Thick, long-lasting head. Only negative is the lack of lace (spotty at best).

Slightly chalky... but the rest is powerful, milky mocha. Some nuttiness in the background: almond and hazelnut come to mind. Very rich.

Holy coffee, Batman. Strong black patent malt flavor. Almost chewy. The finish is the bitter burnt malt tastes. The aftertaste is hoppy, but only after the swallow is complete. Relatively thin body for the style. High carbonation. (Interestingly, if I sip only the head, there's a metallic taste to the froth.)

Big flavor without being an extreme beer. Coffee lovers rejoice.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2008 22:50:00 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in an American pint glass)

A-This beer pours a deep silky black body with a brown creamy head. There carbonation at the rim of the glass is rigorous enough to keep the head going.

S- The smell of dark slightly sweet black malt and some hints of dark chocolate has a faint earthiness to it.

T- The nice flavor or roasted dark malts is smooth and has a slight sour note to it from the oatmeal. The finish has a slight tangy flavor with a soft hint of hop bitterness. Notes of dark roasted coffee come through as it warms.

M-This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a fizz flavor mixed with some silky texture. There is a very faint alcohol warmth in the finish as it warms.

D- This is a very good stout, which focuses on the malts and the hops are just for support. Very smooth and nice to drink but it still has good complexity and character.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2005 03:04:17 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a nice dark brown/black in color, some carbonation, nice dark tan creamy head, lots of lacing throughout the drink.

S - Scents of sweet malts, and toffee/caramel.

T - The taste is sweet malty with a nice touch of toffee.

M - Medium body.

D - Very drinkable. This is a very tasty stout from Rogue, would highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2006 00:08:49 | More by Wasatch

Jason

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 22oz bomber with no freshness date to be found.

Appearance: Deep black with a frothy creamy tan lace.

Smell: Hints of burnt caramel, roasted barley and citric hop make for a very appealing aroma.

Taste: Very very smooth with a creamy malty mouthfeel and some malt crispness. A rich balanced blend of roasted barley, malt sweetness and hop bitterness. In the finish is a chocolaty and coffee after taste with a touch of citric hop and residual sweetness.

Notes: This is a cult classic American stout, drink and learn. Balanced to perfection and a sheer delite to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2001 23:00:38 | More by Jason

mdfb79

New York

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

From 09/04/10 notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pours a dark brown color with one finger of brown head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of roasted malts, raisins, dark fruits, bready malts, hint of alcohol.

t - Tastes of chocolate, roasted malts, coffee, dark fruits, light citrus, and bready malts.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Smooth and very drinkable.

d - At 6% ABV, I feel like you could drink a lot of this. I thought it was a very balances, solid stout I would definitely try again.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2010 21:52:25 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber bottle, pours allmost black with a frothy dark tan head, leaving nice stringy lacing. Nose here is mildly of burnt grains and coffee grounds. this is a bold and full taste stout, pleanty of coffee, chocolate and roasty notes. Smoth and nicely rounded on the tongue, finishes smooth and coating, but not clinging to the tongue, finish is marked with more semi sweet dark chocolate and mildly drying hops. This one has been a classic, fine American micro brew for many years. Hats off and a big thank you to the folks at Rogue for putting this fine stuff out for such a long time.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2005 02:36:27 | More by Billolick

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a black with a dark chestnut hue when held to the light. A 2 finger, tan head slowly fades out into a collar and mild cap. Streaky lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of mocha, coffee, cocoa, creamy vanilla, brown sugar, roasted nuts, and caramel.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas all in a French Roast base that has a delicious but rich flavor.
Mouthfeel is roasty, full bodied, rich, mildly bitter, along with moderate carbonation and a semi-dryness.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2006 00:32:51 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a truly impenetrable black brew.

Smell is mildly fruity, not that great.

Taste is sweet with chocolate and coffee flavors. Cola and sweetness show up too.

Mouthfeel is very good, has a Coke a Cola like carbonation bite.

It is drinkable but NOT as good as Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2004 03:58:56 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

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

On tap @ the Mellow Mushroom (Charlottesville, VA) on 2/6/10. Served in a pint glass.

Pours black with a ½ finger of smooth and creamy mocha colored head. Very good retention here, leaving heavy thick rings of lacing behind. The aroma has a good bit of smoky dark roast and coffee present, along with some hefty dark chocolate notes. Extra tones of caramel and citrus give this some sticky tang.

The taste is deep with roasted malts and bitter chocolate. Some tamer accents of toffee and green citrus add some sweetness to this but an aggressive hop bit toward the rear helps spread dryness and smoky malts all along the back and finish of the profile. The mouthfeel is medium-fuller bodied, with a big sharp creaminess to it, which is undercut by an undercurrent of thicker chewiness from all of that malt sweetness. This is overall pretty silky in the mouth and feels spot on for the size.

I've had this several times in the bottle but never on tap, yet my opinion of it stays the same. This is just a very well crafted American Stout with lots of full flavors and a smooth, easy drinking body. Bottle or draft, this is probably my favorite beer from Rogue and one that I would never turn down.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2010 15:48:51 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber. Pours a deep black, some red on the edges, thick tan head, lots of lace and great retention. Smell is roasty, lots of chocolate, floral hops and caramel, pretty intense. Taste is sweet, lots of chocolate, grains, roast, floral, coffee and caramel. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation, and a dry grainy finish. A good dry stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2006 04:31:24 | More by Viggo

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on nitro at Rogue, Portland, OR

Poured black with a starkly opposing creamy tan head. Gotta love nitro. Aroma was as expected: dark roasted malts, toasted grains, notes of coffee and cocoa, with promises of earthy hops. Taste followed the aroma: dark malts and grainy oatmeal, roast and toast, cocoa, some coffee bitterness, and a hint of earthy hops. Smooth, though not as full-bodied as expected from a oatmeal stout on nitro...about medium-bodied I suppose, but still smooth and easily downable.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-10-2012 21:06:56 | More by Rifugium

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beautifully black in color. (Are any of the Rogue Stouts not black?)Just the way I like a stout. Big creamy, brown head forms a sheet of lace as it recedes to a thin head. Excellent retention. Lacing comes in sheets. Rich, chocolatey, bitter and burnt nose. Excellent. Mouthfeel is so velvety smooth. Silky. The body is about medium-full. Big taste upfront to me is bittersweet chocolate. I love a nicely hopped stout and this is just that. Cascades all the way, but very little grapefruit character exists. Must be "masked" or blended with the malts in a way to produce some textured flavors. A little coffee bean slips in here and there. Maybe some cherry (plum?). What a pleasure. Their Imperial Stout is my favorite, but this is excellent in it's own right. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet.

Thank you ZAP, budgood1 and Road Warrior for bringing this beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 19:07:25 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.26/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Classic stout. Chewy, thick, but not thick like a real boozy Imperial Stout. One of Rogue's best offerings. Nothing really jumps out at you in the aroma department, its nice and smooth, with minimal impact on the nose.

Good balance between chocolate, minimal coffee flavor. Great hopped Stout. So often, I find it difficult to justify spending $6 +/- on a 22 oz. of Rogue, but this one is worth it. I don't recall ever getting this one in 12oz, but a 6er of this stuff would be tits.

You get a smooth, robust and chewy drinking experience with this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 18:51:05 | More by Beerandraiderfan