Snowed In Stout - Beer Camp #45 (Best Of Beer Camp: Oatmeal Stout) - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

yesyouam

New York

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sierra Nevada 2012 Oatmeal Stout is a black ale with a chocolate brown overtone. The thin, shiny, brown head becomes a film. The dark, roasted aroma has a touch of toffee to it. It is soft, smooth and full bodied. It leaves the mouth a little chalky. The full, dark roasted flavor is like dark chocolate. The bitterness leans toward juniper and lemon peel. It has lots of taste that's well balanced. This stuff is just great. I used some in my black bean chili.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 02:09:42 | More by yesyouam

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a clear yet opaque jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of gentle visible carbonation at the surface and some light amounts of cola brown highlights. The beer has a finger and a half tall dense creamy mocha head that very slowly reduces to a medium patch of medium thickness including some larger bubbles, a very thin film covering the majority of the remainder of the surface, and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of roasted malts with some light hints of oats and chocolate.

T: Upfront there are strong flavors of roasted malts with some light notes of dark chocolate and oats. There is a light amount of sweetness along with a touch of anise/licorice in the finish. Some light hints of alcohol and light bitterness as well.

M: Slightly heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth with just a hint of alcohol warming in the finish.

O: Slightly lighter in the body than some others in the style as well as the relatively well hidden alcohol make this one drink a lot smaller than it really is (surprised that it is 9% ABV). Enjoyable but I could only really have one during a single session.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 00:14:36 | More by dbrauneis

phishsihq

Colorado

3.99/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Beer Camp #45, Oatmeal Stout, pours an opaque black, and it is capped by a dark brown head that provides plenty of lacing. Dark flavors of mocha and chocolate lead way to darker fruit flavors like cherries and plums. The flavor follows the same dark flavor profile. Roasted malt, coffee, and just a touch of molasses mix with dark fruits and a bit of booze across the palate. The malt adds a bit of creaminess in this full-bodied, moderately carbonated ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:10:27 | More by phishsihq

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.44/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some good lacing. Aroma of double-chocolate milkshake is quite intense and very enjoyable. Taste is dominated by chocolate milkshake notes with light dry roasted malt notes also noticeable. Some light dark chocolate and mocha notes are also perceptible. Body is full with nice chewy creamy texture with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well brewed and quite a treat that I wouldn’t mind having on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 15:48:17 | More by Phyl21ca

eric5bellies

Australia

2.98/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Drank from my Duvel tulip

A - Pours a deep Mahogany colour with a cream coloured head the reduces quickly.

S - Dark fruits and sweet molassis and a little smoke.

T - Plenty of roasted malt a little sweet caramel and chocolate. The finish ios long and molassis.

M - Medium to full body with minimal carbonation, slightly zingy on the finish.

O - A solid stout without complexity. Not a lot wrong with it, but won't wow you.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 10:08:33 | More by eric5bellies

gpogo

California

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Black body with a nice tan head. Tiny head bubbles.

A- Soft creamy smelling stout. Light sweet roasted caramel.

T- Creamy sweet, with a sharp bitterness from both hops and roasted malts. Alcohol in the finish.

M- Very creamy body, yet still somewhat sharp. Pours very thick. Light carbonation with very small almost nitro bubbles.

D- Enjoyable brew, definitely on the heavier side of stouts.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 07:37:13 | More by gpogo

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.96/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

355ml bottle purchase from Leura Cellars. Belatedly realised that it's 9% ABV. Wow.

Pours a deep but relatively clear and unhazed black-brown, with a solid and firm head of mocha. Body looks quite fluid, and as though it has little true weight behind it. Carbonation is fine however, and forms in pleasant rivulets when tilted. It's a good looking beer.

Nose is pleasant and sweet, but without a big richness, fullness, or even a chewiness like I'd expect from the oatmeal addition. Some mild dark fruity tones like cherry, red grapes or chocolate coated berries, and a faint hint of something smouldering in the background. It's nice, but not as robust as it might have been, especially for 9% ABV.

Taste is similar. It has a firm, rich basis which provides something mellow and solid, but it doesn't delve into anything deeper. There's no true sweetness, no palate-filling luxuriance, and not a great deal of complexity. But what it has is good: solid rich roasted malts, chocolate overtones and that firm persistent basis, which is nothing to scoff at. Faint hints of seaweed linger on the aftertaste.

Feel is light, indeed here the lack of complexity is probably showing the beer's weakest point.

This is a good beer that really could have been magnificent. It has a great deal of power and robustness to it, and it's built on a firm and pleasant structure. But it's really missing something, especially for a beer weighing in this heavily. I guess when you're disappointed in Sierra Nevada, you still end up with a pretty good package.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 08:45:43 | More by lacqueredmouse

confer

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

It is pitch black. No light passes through it at all. Minimal tan head.
Not very much to the smell. Slight sweet roasty smell.
The alcohol can be tasted but only a bit, with a slight roastiness in the finish.
Thick and chewy, this beer is very syrupy.
Overall a good Imp Stout for a cold night.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:34:11 | More by confer

Bfarr

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Black and moderate brown fluffy head with good retention. Chocolate and biscuit with a light roasted aroma. Roasty mocha with a mellow sweetness, light herbal notes and a good lingering bitterness. Thick feel with a sharp bite.

A very good, easy drinking oatmeal stout that’s well rounded and balanced in flavor. I would say it’s imperial with a 9% abv but it doesn’t have the depth of a good imperial although there are no alcohol flavors or warming.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 22:37:37 | More by Bfarr

JWU

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a curved porter glass.

A- Black with a thin khaki head, dissipates quickly, leaves a little lacing down the glass. Alcohol legs are apparent.

S- mostly lactose sweetness, with some roasty notes, and dark chocolate.

T- Big hit of lactose sweetness with some dark roasty notes, some light char, and dark chocolate. Slight booziness and a mild hop bitterness on the backend. Bit to sweet for my liking.

M- Great. Thick and syrupy, and has that oatmeal smoothness. Best part of the brew.

O- Good, but not quite great. Little too sweet and not enough roasty backbone.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 02:12:38 | More by JWU

plaid75

New York

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a jet black hue with a one finger off white head. There was good retention and decent lacing.

The smell featured sweet lactose, dark chocolate and roasted barley.

The taste consisted of a soft lactose sweetness, cafe au lait and rather round roasted malt.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall a tasty, brawny double stout. Nice winter treat.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 03:24:26 | More by plaid75

dgilks

Australia

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pitch black with a small tan head. Fair head retention.

Roasty aroma with some sweetness. A fair amount of alcohol but mostly dark roast and some earthiness.

Moderately sweet malt with an earthy, bitter edge. Plenty of roast and some hop bitterness. Plenty of alcohol and malt to bring it all together.

Moderately-full body with moderate carbonation. Fine.

A solid stout. It isn't going to amaze anyone as it relies on big beer factor but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 08:58:10 | More by dgilks

heygeebee

Australia

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ahhhh the joys of the stout review.... So many similar characters.... Will this be any different?

Pours like a stout should... Smells on the money too.... Nice n rich with oats in mix and good roast notes.

Taste is very smooth, silky, with hint of coffee and dark dark chocolate in addition to oats. Taste lingers, quite dry finish.

Mouthfeel good, lightly carbed and full bodied to start with, gets lighter and almost watery as it warms. Odd given the ABV

There you go... Very little different to most stout reviews!!.... Good beer all in all tho, solid but not standout. Dry finish becomes unwelcome after a while.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 10:46:47 | More by heygeebee

JRed

New Jersey

2.53/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Opaque tar-like color with a cinnamon head that retreats to the edges. Smells of dark chocolate, light cinnamon, some roast, little reminder of NyQuil. Ugh, flavors of unrestrained dark chocolate, light cinnamon, mud, unrestrained roast, medicinal notes, flaked oats burn, and cola spiked with bourbon. Heavy in body with high carbonation. Oily in mouthfeel. The oats, chocolate, medicinals, and booze are an assault on the palate. Tough to even sit through this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 00:27:04 | More by JRed

homebrew311

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Half Acre snifter. Appearance is jet black with no light passage. Minimal head upon pour, small amount of lacing. The nose is heavy on creamy smooth oatmeal up front. Next comes milk chocolate and roasted barley. Nice roasty profile with a creamy smooth quality. The taste starts with a complex and well balanced stout profile. A touch of sweetness in the form of molasses comes through, followed by chocolate and a touch of earthy hops, this all gives way to a progressively roasty finish. Pretty nice complete oatmeal stout here, this one would do well as a seasonal from Sierra Nevada. Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with moderate carbonation. Overall, this one was quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 06:14:49 | More by homebrew311

herman77

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Black with a think khaki head. Decent lacing.

S: Lots of roast, a bit of smoke. Some dark bittersweet chocolate and a bit of coffee.

T:Seems more smokey then when I had it fresh. Lots of roasted malt, a bit of smoke and some bittersweet cocoa and coffee. Some dark fruits lurking as well.

M: Fuller body. Soft, lower carb.

O: Okay drinkability. ABV is hidden fairly well. Oatmeal stout is a little misleading, more of an imperial stout with oats. Having said that, it is pretty average.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 23:42:20 | More by herman77

SaCkErZ9

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head pint glass. 2172214:15 stamped on the side, which I think means this beer was bottled on the 172 day of 2012. An aggressive pour yields a pitch black beer with a dark tan head of about three fingers in size. Plenty of lacing down the glass and the retention is nice as well.

Aroma is a bit boozy with cocoa, coffee, grain alcohol, roasted nuts, and toasty bread comprising the aroma.

Alcohol shines in this one, which I am not fond of. There are some dark fruits with cocoa nibs and espresso coffee flavors. Thankfully it isn't overly sweet, but it is boozy and somewhat hot.

Thick and chewy and oily. Not my favorite in the style. Alcoholic and boozy and not really easy to drink. I think I would pass on this if offered in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 19:16:33 | More by SaCkErZ9

Siriusfisherman

Montana

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a deep black with a small, brown head, some alcohol legs.

Smell: Boozy, with some fruity ester and deep, roasted malt that gives scents of dark fruit, coffee, and chocolate.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Similar to smell, with less but still noticable alcohol on the finish. The roasted flavors are cut short by the sharp, dry, and boozy finish. There is not much body for an Oatmeal stout, the beer enters and leaves without much residual effect. The carbonation is a bit high as well. The dark malts lean more toward dark fruit in the flavor

Overall: This is one of the very few Sierra Nevada releases I have been dissapointed with, it really didn't do it for me. The beer has an abrupt finish. Anything with 9.0% alcohol is going to be a sipper, and the taste does not linger enough to give it lasting effect. The flavor that is there is nice, but it is killed by the dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 06:57:34 | More by Siriusfisherman

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Oily black color, quick brown head. Looks tastey.

Roasted cocoa nibs, coffee with a little vanilla cream and almost burnt, roasted malt. Overall these aromas are a little faint though.

Palate is oily and thin. Boozey warmth mixes with roasty, sometimes burnt malts. Strong coffee and chocolate flavors. This stout is pretty standard in flavor and texture given the style. Nothing exceptional considering this special product line from Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 13:28:47 | More by scruffwhor

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours very thickly, almost syrupy. Solid black, small head.
Nose shows sweet chocolate, heavy roast, soft oatmeal, caramel and bready malt.
Pretty roasty and boozy flavours, but there's some caramel underneath along with a fair bit of pine. Big hoppy bitter finish.
Very thick body, syrup-like. Very low carbonation. Gives the impression of drinking an egg white....

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 12:39:01 | More by CrazyDavros

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle from Bear World Watertown NY for 2.50$

Appearance - Black/Brown colour with an average size fizzy brown head. I can't make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for only 2-3 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, chocolate, coffee

Taste & Mouth - There is a below amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, chocolate, and some roasted/toasted nuts. There is also a bit of a smokiness and a bitter coffee flavour and a touch of dark fruit and anise. It ends with a fairly bitter aftertaste.

Overall - Pretty good.. seems to be missing a little something and it's a tad too bitter on the finish.. but maybe a little bit of aging would help. Still a nice mix of flavours, a little something for everyone.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:45:58 | More by spinrsx

FosterJM

California

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1657th Review on BA
Bottle to Hoppin Frog Snifter
12oz

Purchased for $1.99 @ Mission Liquors, Freemont, CA

App- When I poured this into the glass, it looked like a crimson liquid. A bit of purples intermixed into and a bit thick in the center. A lighter outside. A small 1/2" tan head and didnt leave too much cling or lace.

Smell- This was a bit off to me. A bit too boozy with some nice malts and chocolate but a bit of a fruit aroma. Blackberry and blueberry juice intermixed. Whispy and a bit hot but not overtly unpleasant.

Taste- This was an okay oatmeal stout. I dont see too much of that creamy oaty, flavor. More of a "big" stout that they were going for. This had some good fruits behind it a bit flaky and chocolate flavors with a bit of booze. A bit of a grainy and tart flavor behind it.

Mouth- A big medium body with a pretty thin/medium carbonation. The residual flavors were of the fruits and the booze. Didnt get any of the creamy oatmeal or anything else.

Drink- Was just okay. Fairly solid. Probably wont have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 16:49:20 | More by FosterJM

RunForYourBeer

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown/black with a decent sized tan head.

S: Caramel, brown sugar, a bit of coffee, and alcohol.

T: Starts sweet with caramel and brown sugar before the coffee and alcohol come on. In between the oats smoothly carry from one flavor to the next. The finish is a bit nutty and roasty.

M: Very smooth. Slightly less carbonation than average.

O: Very good. Its very smooth for the strength.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:34:00 | More by RunForYourBeer

Mojo

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into World Market tulip.

This beer pours up a deep black with a one finger caramel colored head, not much retention and not a lot of lacing left over. The smell is alcohol, roasted malt, and coffee. Taste follows the nose. Mouthfeel is full and bitter. Good beer, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 07:03:22 | More by Mojo

CampusCrew

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow.... this beer is imperial. Nice dark appearnce and good head retention. Lots of dark malt aromas, chocolate, coffee, and some vanilla... tastes like it smells. Just a very solid oatmeal stout. Has the typical silky body and drinks very smooth for the abv... it still packs a punch though

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 03:49:03 | More by CampusCrew