Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

chaz410

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Awesome label, like usual. This pours jet black with a thick, but not really tall, deep caramel colored head. Beautiful color and head retention.
It should be noted that the smell and taste are much better if this beer warms a little. When cold the smell is subtle and so is the taste. Once it has warmed up a little you get some nice sweet and roasted smells. There's a little bitter chocolate hint in the nose too.
The taste is not very sweet as you would probably expect from the title. It is bitter, roasty and a little malty sweet.
I liked this beer and it's definately a different take at a stout. Worth the try

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2009 14:24:26 | More by chaz410

argock

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz brown bomber into a clear glass snifter. July 2008 vintage date. Single purchased at Market Street Wine Shop (Charlottesville, VA) for $6.99.

A: Pitch black with 1-2 finger beige head with good retention and scattered lacing.

S: Unfortunately, the nose is not complex and basically bitter cocoa powder with some slighltys weet toasted dark malts.

T: Bitter dark chocolate dominates with a substantial dark malt contribution. There isn't a lot more here, but it is bold and pretty intense.

M: Medium-full body with low carbonation and bitter chocolate aftertaste.

D: A sweeter chocolate stout would have been more enjoyable but this is high-quality Stone brewing nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2009 02:16:56 | More by argock

bennetj17

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Dark black color, though doesn't appear too viscous. Nice head of dark tan foam, settling into a frothy ring. Notes of chocolate, bourbon and vanilla in the nose initially, but after a few smells the alcohol fume gets more dominant, masking the other aromas.

There is a sharp alcohol presence in the taste also. The flavor is very dry and roasty, with a good, coffee-like, tannin bitterness (although not as bitter as the label might suggest). Nice toasted malt finish, but it all ends with a bit of astringence. Decent thickness, its a bit chewy at times, but smooth enough. Fine, sharp carbonation.

This chocolate beer is not overtly sweet like the Rogue Chocolate Stout or the Souther Tier Choklat, and for that I was glad. Unfortunately it was bit alcoholic and lacked enough balance for a high drinkablity. I am hoping that all it needs is some aging, and I do believe it will improve. I will try it again in at least 6 months...

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2008 06:10:30 | More by bennetj17

brushtachio

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I've had this on two separate occasions. Once I drank it a little colder than I would normally drink a stout. The second time I had it closer to 50-55 deg. and surprisingly I found that I liked it better very cold.

Pours nice and black and produces a nice chocolate head with a little coaxing

Cold, it's smell was subdued but enjoyable with chocolate, roasted malt and a little smoke. Warmer, all these smells were pushed out by a really dominant booziness.

With the taste, again, unless extremely cold, the rubbing alcohol burn is overpowering and detracts from the chocolate and malt. When the booze taste subsides, you still get the lingering hops and chocolate bitterness

Mouthfeel is silky but thinner than expected.

The heavy booze presence keeps the drinkability low unless you like ice cold stouts

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2008 20:26:12 | More by brushtachio

Kraken

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a standard issue 22oz bomber into a a 20oz pint glass. Firm pour evokes a quarter inch head with dramatic staying power, and an picturesque coco hued head. Color is black as night, absolute motor-oil black.

Nose- Not much, coco, peat, slightly smoky, hints of booze.

Palate- Bakers chocolate, peat, some smoke. Mild bitterness but no where near as much as I was expecting from the reviews of others. Guiness-esque on some levels. Very smooth and creamy mildy hot.

Mouthfeel- slightly cloying, creamy smooth.

Drinkability- A bit strong at 9.2% and slightly cloying. A nice stout, but I think more then one is too many.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 04:09:53 | More by Kraken

ckeegan04

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Ink black with a very thick dark brown head. Head reduces down to about a 1/4 inch thick foam cap and leaves spotty lacing on the glass.

S - Bitter chocolate laced with pure alcohol. Surprisingly strong alcohol aroma. Little bits of roasted malt mixed in. Takes on a fiant aroma of rubbing alcohol as it warms.

T - Bitter roasted malts up front with hints of unsweetened chocolate. A big mouth full of roasted grain. Very simple taste profile.

M/D - Medium bodied and very smooth. Alcohol burn is very noticeable which is a little surprising given the age. Not very complex tastes make it a little on the dull side.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 21:12:53 | More by ckeegan04

lifebeer

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a. poured dark brown/black with a finger of mocha head that hung around as a thin wispy film on the surface

s. the usual: licorice, chocolate, hoppy sweetness, coffee

t. roasted coffee beans and dark malts, bitterness more from hops than chocolate, finishes with a noticeable alcohol punch

m. medium for the style, not thick and velvety as is the case for many (the best) oatmeal stouts.

d. its not so thick, so its fairly drinkable, although the alcohol punch will take you out if you dont take it easy

overall, i'm somewhat disappointed here. no thick mouthfeel, no strong bitter chocolate flavor, just roasted coffee and alcohol. its possible that this wasnt stored in the best conditions (new beer distributors in NYC--a non-conditioned warehouse).

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 00:24:15 | More by lifebeer

gameface23

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Originally reviewed on 9/29/08 on another beer rating website.

Pours jet black with small, dark tan head. There's not a lot of carbonation, but the mouthfeel is still decent. The aroma wasn't what I expected: some chocolate, alcohol, roasted malts, and slight coffee, but nothing spectacular. Taste was similar. Black coffee finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2009 16:43:48 | More by gameface23

hooliganlife

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

this is about a 1.5 years old.

pour was motor oil black with very little head

lots of chocolate and molasses with hints of booze

bitterness all around, which you can pin point to the chocolate. this is interesting however there is s booze sting that kills the mood. a bit of a charcoal flavor here and there. overall, too boozy.

the body was far lighter than i had expected or would have liked.

this was too hot, which i found to be a tad odd. i am curious what another year or two can do to this. as for right now, im not that impressed.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2009 01:44:36 | More by hooliganlife

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks for sharing, Ryan. Poured from 22 into stemless chardonnay glass.

A- Pours deep black, very vert dark. Doesn't really produce much head- about a cm of nice khaki colored foam, no lacing or stability.

S- Definitely get a soy component and milk chocolate. A little oxidized, but overall a slightly sweet and moderately roasty aroma- nothing stands out.

T/M- Nice, it's not oxidized in taste. Has a rubbery, roasted malt component with some slight heat. Dark chocolate as well and a slight smokiness. Age has really melded the flavors, because not one aspect of it pops or overshadows the others. Very slick feel with moderate, almost low carbonation.

O- Pretty good, not amazing, but would definitely drink again. Its 4 years old and it has held up well. Not complex, but balanced and smooth, even with a touch of heat on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 21:28:13 | More by TheGordianKnot

bbothen

California

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Semi aggresive pour brings a pitch black color with a bubbly 2 finger cocoa colored head. Plenty of sticky lacing on glass.

Smells of chocolate, some dark fruit, malted milk. All somewhat subdued.

Roasted/toasted flavor with some plum/fig character, slightly smoky, coffee flavors, booze, & rich bittersweet chocolate & hops in the finish. Lots going on here.

Full bodied, creamy, moderately carbonated.

One bottle shared with another person was good.

Interesting brew. Seems a little rough around the edges. I'd guess this would do well with some time in the cellar. I'll try this mixed with some lambic as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2008 22:40:30 | More by bbothen

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at Gordon's in Waltham. I was VERY excited to try it! The beer poured a very deep brown/black, relatively no light passes through, with a large brown creamy, yet rocky head. The scent is of heavy roasted malts, chocolate, oatmeal and maybe even some espresso. The ABV is 9.20 and you can smell the alcohol clearly. I undestand it is imperial but most imperials that I have had lately still mask the taste of the alcohol a bit better. Taste was subtle at first but then the chocolate and oatmeal kicks in halfway down. The ABV was overpowering in my opinion...because of that, I found it to be not well balanced. I thought it masked a lot of great flavor. The mouthfeel was decent. Overall, I think less alcohol would have made this a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 15:04:30 | More by Jayli

beertunes

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in 16oz goblet. Poured black, no light shows through, with a thick, medium brown head that dissipated quickly and left lots of sticky lacing.

A pleasant blend of aromas on the nose, coffee, roasted malt and certain earthiness I couldn't quite place being most noticeable. The flavors followed the aromas closely, with the coffee being most upfront, then the rest of tastes rolling across the tongue. No noticeable chocolate flavors remain, and there is just a minimum of hoppiness.

The body and drinkability were average for a big stout. Full body that coats the tongue and lingers. Nicely drinkable for a big beer, I can't see having more than one at a sitting though, worth trying now that it's sat a year. If I remember correctly, I liked this beer better when it was fresh. Certainly worth trying again if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2009 20:53:00 | More by beertunes

xgrigorix

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Twenty-two ounce brown bottle dated July 2008.

Opaque black liquid, topped by a thin tan head. Head holds up okay, no lacing on the glass.

I don't really get chocolate in the nose, beyond what you would normally expect from a big stout. Otherwise inviting, with notes of roasted coffee, subtle bits of fruit, and hints of alcohol.

Not too different from what was hinted at in the nose. Notes of coffee, chocolate & roast. Most of the bitterness comes from the roast flavours. Somewhat smooth, medium-full bodied. Moderate carbonation. Not bad by any stretch, but I for one was expecting more out of this.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2008 03:44:44 | More by xgrigorix

sfoley333

Brazil

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bomber purchased from Texas Liquor. Poured into a Duvel snifter, pours a jet black with big foamy brown head with nice lacing for such high alcohol content. Smell is roasted malt with plenty of chocolate and coffee aromas a touch of acetone on the finish. Taste was a little messy with such a strong hot alcohol flavor that got even stronger as my beer warmed, the strong bitterness seemed less from the chocolate and more from the burnt roasted malt finish. However the oatmeal did leave a nice creaminess to both the flavor and mouthfeel. The mouthfeel is full body with a nice for mentioned creaminess and light carbonation level. The chocolate and oatmeal really addd to the beer but the unability to mask the alcohol really detracts from it. I think that a little aging will do wonders for this beer but still a worthy beer right now.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2008 08:43:20 | More by sfoley333

gford217

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a snifter.

Pours dark, dark brown out of the bottle and settles in as a nice pitch black in the glass. Head is dense and mocha-colored and fades fairly quickly leaving only a trace of lacing. Aroma is of dark chocolate and burnt/roasted malts. There are also some dark fruits and alcohol burn in the nose as well. Taste is big on the sweet malts as well with the significant bitterness of the baker's chocolate. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and has a little carbonation on top of the bitterness of the chocolate. This is a decent, but quite bitter, stout and the flavors are are a little too abrasive for me. This one could use some time to bring the flavors together.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2008 02:49:11 | More by gford217

Tolann

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Served in a New Belgium globe glass. Ever seen a gargoyle on a bicycle? Dark. Very dark. The pour looked almost thick like oil. Looked like pouring an RIS. Decent head the color of frothy coffee.

S - Can smell it already from here. sweet and roasty chocolates. Its a scent that warms you. More on the sweet side, almost like a cookie. They should make a candle that smells like this.

T - Smooth chocolate, not particularly sweet more bitter. Some coffee characteristic. Again, some of an RIS characteristic. Getting better as it warms

M - Medium mouthfeel and more boozy than I would have guessed a 9.2% to taste. Bit of a warming feel to it.

D - It is what it is. Not one that you'd drink all nite, but not a bad choice to sip after dinner. Now if I only had a nicely lit fireplace and a cozy blanket.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2008 03:48:48 | More by Tolann

nsmartell

Wisconsin

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I enjoyed this beer from the comfort of my folks' living room after a nice T-day dinner. From the 22oz bottle to a mug glass.

Appearance: Pours dark black with a real nice brown foamy head that disappears quickly.

Smell: Oats and sweet chocolate with a hint of alcohol.

Taste: Sweet chocolate, but not overpowering. Bitter and tastes of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and thick-bodied. Goes down nicely.

Drinkability: Too bitter for my tastes without enough sweet chocolate to balance it out. Would try again, but wouldn't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2008 05:14:44 | More by nsmartell

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed on 7/22/08. Bottle. Pours black with a small dark tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma of bitter hops. lots of bitter chocolate, vanilla, and rich roasted malt. Flavor is rather bitter! (as advertised). Sweet, rich oatmeal malt, alcohol, slight slight bitter chocolate. I was really excited about this beer but it proved to be a disappointment. Much too heavy and alcoholic for my liking. This needs a bit of age I think. Not as much chocolate as I'd prefer and the sweetness/alcohol richness does obliterate some of the other flavors. Fun to try, but I don't think I'll purchase again (unless it's aged perhaps).
7/4/8/3/14 (3.6/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 22:54:45 | More by LilBeerDoctor

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle tried 24 Oct 2008.

Poured in 0.4 L snifter. Pours like friggin molasses. Small very dark brown head. Color is pitch black. Smells acrid, roasty, coffee and chocolate. Quite bitter and cocoay, espresso. Slightly acrid earthy bitter chocolate. Dry warming finish. Medium body.

Did not get much oatmeal in the mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 21:06:07 | More by htomsirveaux

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Vicious black pour, with a nice dark tan finger of forced head.

Smell is good with fair amount of malts, chocolate and coffee. There is a tart quality, but it's faint.

Good lord. I'm pretty sure they used the highest percent of cocoa that they could find because this thing is uber bitter chocolate. I presumed that it would be hoppy, but it is totally the intense chocolates. Lots of roasted malts and chocolate ones it warms.

Feel is thick and coating.

This is very good, but needs to warm in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 02:11:25 | More by EgadBananas

homebrew311

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: pour is opaque and dark, brown head, quickly dissipates, not much retention or lacing

S: the front features a smokey and bitter quality, smells to be oxidizing a touch, a little bit of a metallic twang. The chocolate and roast is faint.

T: well what the nose was lacking in roasted qualities, the taste makes up for. So much so that the grains become a little astringent at the end.

MF: big body, mellow carbonation

O: I have a feeling that this beer is not in its optimal state, for what it is- it pretty tasty, but I'm sure the flavors popped a little more when it was a little fresher

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 07:14:16 | More by homebrew311

TonyT

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I've had this from 22 oz. bombers (one that has met its fate with the ceramic tile of the kitchen floor...yes I'm ashamed)...
But I thought that it would be a better/more fair rating from a tap...

Poured into the glass (both from the tap and bottle), as perfect as a glass of motor oil...(as many other posts have stated)...I would say like New Jersey Lake Sludge (I can't wait for the replies on that one...I've looked for my own snipes (as a kid) thank you very much...)...

The taste mellows out while the pour gets warmer, much like the bottle.

The alcohol taste is more apparent as it warms..., but I would not say that it has such an "oatmeal taste", I was expecting more of a Rogue Chocolate Stout meets/ Sammy Smith's...but for all around it was good.

...It definitely has its own character and holds up on its own...I am interested to see how this brew ages...(like other posts have stated).

Stone Rocks...

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2008 03:48:18 | More by TonyT

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" dark brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head is promptly down to a thin layer of tiny bubbles, with slow-falling sticky lace. Aroma is rich dark oatmeal sweetness. Taste is sweet chocolate to start, but quickly overpowered by burnt oats, which give way to bitterness and alcohol at the close. Mouthfeel is a bit harsh, and drinkability is limited for me by same. Just a little too brash for me, even if it lives up to its name, and is just what the brewers wanted. Guess this time, I'm not as worthy as I could be...

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 00:54:33 | More by ppoitras

flannelman808

California

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Im not impressed with this years anniversary beer. The 10th is my favorite beer all time maybe. this was a huge let down.

comes in a large bottle with the patented gargoyle on the front of course, but there is no promotion for the beer being an anniversary beer... strange. Maybe even stone doesn't think it to be worthy. In fact I sent the beer back thinking it was a mistake and then was shown the tiny little 12 on the back of the bottle.

that said...

smells like an oatmeal stout which some wood, and dark chocolate

Tastes sort of like their russian imperial but a little more bitter. Sweet and dark chocolate notes overwhelm the palate.

I didn't even finish my bottle... I didn't even finish a glass... I split the bottle with a friend and he didn't finish either. Maybe stone 12th anniversary bitter chocolate oatmeal stout is just not for me. Maybe that title is a mouthful just like the beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2008 17:22:31 | More by flannelman808