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

Halcyondays

California

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bomber picked up today,

A: Pours black, with a medium dark brown head, giving it an extra .5 since it's probably the darkest beer I have ever seen.

S: Chocolate of course, some espresso, malted milk balls.

T: Lots of bitter dark chocolate bombards the taste buds on the first sip, heavy cacao. No real coffee note, except for some light espresso note in the middle. Sweetness of the oatmeal comes afterwards and mellows the flavour. I might have expected a little more complexity, but it's still damn tasty brew.

M: Carbonation is very light and fluffy, body feels to light for a 9.2% brew, but quite drinkable for its heft.

D: This is a good big stout from Stone, probably the most drinkable of the anniversaries that I have had, though 9th would be close. Definitely will pick up some more bottles while it is out.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2008 03:34:52 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: black in color with a 2" head that slowly falls. Some spotty lace develops.

Smell: bitter chocolate, light alcohol, and roasted malts are bold and provides an enjoyable aroma.

Taste: roasted malts, bitter chocolates, alcohol, prunes, molasses, and oats. Bitterness is hearty and creates a balanced beer.

Mouthfeel: smooth and silky throughout. Very long roasted malt and bitter chocolate aftertaste. Heavy bodied beer.

Drinkability: very tasty brew but alcohol levels leave this as a slow sipper and no more than one bottle per session. Nice tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2008 12:17:49 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours black with a thin brown head that immediately disappears.

The smell is of baker's chocolate, something rubbery and slightly burnt. Aroma improves a bit with progress.

The taste is of bitter chocolate with boozy alcohol. Bitter with restrained sweetness, though some chocolate chip oatmeal cookie does come to mind in the aftertaste, at first. As it progresses, it takes on more of a burnt coffee taste. Then, oddly switches back and forth. Acidity pretty high on a whole.

Almost full bodied, with a bit of thinness showing through at times.

Despite booziness/high abv, and some characteristics that seem to pop through throwing it off, it does have a certain "sipping" drinkability. I do have mixed feelings about this one, with some smells and sips better than others. As a whole, though, the burnt edges and small other "detractors" (i.e. some aroma that is rubbery/overly tar-like) make this stand in the way of what it could be.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2008 02:28:52 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 version.

This beer pours a dense black, with a thin meniscus of soapy beige head, which leaves no lace in its wake. It smells of light roasted malt, licorice, dry chocolate, and a boozy edginess. The taste is caramel malt, more dry powdery chocolate and licorice, bitter toffee, treacle, mild pine hops, and an overarching alcohol warmth. The carbonation is fairly soft, the body smooth, silky, and full, and it finishes sweet, the grainy oatmeal predominating, but the drying of the hops and booze can be detected after a short time.

A tasty, smooth concoction.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2010 23:44:43 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Split a bomber with a friend after dinner. Pour pitch black with a tan head.

I'm not feeling this beer. It reminds me of Hoppin' Frog's B.O.R.I.S., another big oatmeal stout I wasn't crazy about. At first the aroma smells like pure vodka, but eventually roasted grains come out. The flavor isn't much better for me as it tastes like a mess. I can tell there are black malt, chocolate, and oats, but the flavors tend to clash instead of working together. I should add that it's not like this beer tastes bad, it's just that for all that's going on, it could be better. I seem to be out of the norm here, but I'd still say this beer is worth a try for something different.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2008 13:11:25 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 650 mL bottle purchased at Joseph's Beverage in Toledo, OH.

A: The stout is rather viscous, thick and oily as it pours into my snifter. A coffee-and-cream colored head, darkened a bit by milk chocolate brown, rises up on pour and quickly dissapates.

S: The nose is very chocolatey, thick with a strong burnt presence. A deep nutty aroma mixes with alcohol and syrupy chocolate to create a rich complexity.

T: At room temperature, the stout is a mouthfull. Dark roasted notes go head-to-head with dark chocolate. Cocoa powder and fuller baker's chocolate round out the flavor. Dark espresso, think Starbucks-level bitterness, coats the back of the mouth, full, dark and delicious. The oatmeal creates a smoothness just before the espresso turns bitter. Coffee and baker's chocolate are the finish.

M: The ale is complex, hot and boozy with a coffee/chocolate punch. The beer is a mouthfull, a challenge to get through.

D: One bomber at a time, the strength and intrigue of the beer won't allow any more.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2008 01:42:13 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Body appears pitch black absolutely opaque no light passing through at the edges. Nice sized mocha tan head forms thick and leaves behind fine lacing as it dwindles down, by the way I poured this into my Piraat chalice since I recently broke my Stone Imperial Stout chalice, pretty similar shape. This year's release seems to be keeping with the black beer theme, hoppy black IPA definitely wasn't my favorite new concept beer let's see if bitter dark chocolate infused oatmeal stouts work as well as it sounds.

Aroma upfront with bitter dark cocoa nibs, deep fruity ripened fruit notes including ripe plum and fig notes, touch of metallic mineral character blended with herbal hop blends just barely coming through in the nose.

Flavor is complex starts off with a tart twang seems out of place in something this dark, I was assuming there would be more roasted malt character off the bat. Somewhat lactic creamy notes with oatmeal softness coming into play. Definitely finishes with big luscious dark bitter chocolate notes and welcome hop burps arise after your first few sips even thought not much hop action is going on in the actual flavor or aroma. As it warms alcohol becomes a welcome flavor component that seems to offset some of the sweet and tart fruit notes from the pure bitterness of the dark chocolate added. Oatmeal also plays as a buffer between the chocolate and sweet fruit undertones.

Carbonation level is mellow, dark dry bitterness is definitely left on the palate after each sip. An overall medium to full body with creamy edges to it the entire 22 ounce portion. By the way, I would recommend to split this large portion with friends and let the beer warm up a bit to let all of the flavors and textures come out.

This Stone 12th offering serves up some surprises, keeping it original and unique as usual I would definitely recommend the experience. Is it something that I will be chasing down like the Stone 10th no way but was it tasty and complex...of course. I see what the folks at Stone were trying to pull off and guess I like the blurb on the label about hop shortages and turning to the bitterness of dark chocolate versus hops, so I see the vision but taste for yourself whether or not it works.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2008 15:22:11 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Man, drinking all these anniversary brews is becoming a part time job it seems.

Pours black with a tan head. Nose is thick malts and some chocolate and a wee bit of molasses. Flavor is thick. Minor molasses with real dark chocolate tones. Sweet almost berry thing is there too. Feel is smooth and thicker on liquid. Carbonation is low, but that seems appropriate. Overall pretty nice to drink. Nothing real crazy or outlandish, but still a nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2008 16:17:00 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

Had on tap at JJ Brewskys along with my Old Viscosity, Saucerful of Merkin.
I previusly rated the bottle and now the tap. It came to me in a pint glass, ddep brown in the light as I sat outside, very small tan head to this brew. Nose was hot, cocoa and oats. Taste was a bit smoother than the bottle but this beer is still to hot and it masks the great flavor hiding in it. Mouthfeel was chocolatey and too boozy for me. Almost a pain more than a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2008 18:31:32 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice initial head that sticks around and leaves wonderful ring lace. Technically black where light cannot penetrate even the edge.

Peppery and smoky aroma. Reminiscent of chocolate ice cream.

Smoky flavor behind the thick coffee notes. The finish is a nice combination of hop and black patent malt. It's creamy with a little bit of the alcohol warmth that one would expect.
Nearly perfect in the body--rich with enough cutting carbonation from making it oily.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2008 18:51:07 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to cstrack for this brew.

Poured into a Stone glass a nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tan head, which leaves some sticky lacing behind. The nose is slightly sweet, malty, dark chocolate. The taste is slightly sweet, big malts, lots of bitter chocolate. Medium body. Very drinkable, this is a very tasty brew. Thanks Casey.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2008 22:23:24 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a Nonic)

A- This beer pours a jet black body with a few tiny bubbles stuck to the edge of the glass. There is a sticky chocolate mile colored head that last and last.

S- The deep coffee roasted malt aroma has a slight cream smell to it with a faint coco powder hint when it is pretty warm.

T- The big roasted black malt flavor is inky with a faint tartness that becomes more earthy like oatmeal as the beer warms. There is a slight vinous note at the finish with a black roasted grain bitterness that is smooth but lingers. As the beer warms the tartness grows and the chocolate notes start to fill the finish.

M- The medium-full mouthfeel is almost slippery in texture with a fusel alcohol heat that is soon overpowered by flavor as the beer warms.

D- This is a big black stout with nice flavor but the chocolate is note very distinct until the beer warms a good amount.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2008 17:14:22 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A new Stone offering to savor and appreciate, ahhh, Life is good! This bottle cam straight from Grover himself, thanks G. Pours dark mahogany/near black, dark tan head, initially quite solid then slowly fading to a ringed film and leaves better then average lace.
Nose is the expected chocolate, burnt malt and espresso grains. Full flavor brew (surprise) plenty of coffee grain, dark chocolate, dark grains, yum, stout lovers rejoice...try it mixed with some sort of cherry beer and go nuts...thanks Stone for putting more fine brew on the market and in my hands/belly

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 14:40:56 | More by Billolick

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

Zorro

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours and looks like used 10-40W motor oil, promising.

Light proof black beer with a small brown head, oh yeah it's not a porter.

Bittersweet scent that you can smell from a distance. Getting up close this is a boozy bittersweet chocolate beer with a hint of vanilla, berries and wood. Strongly scented with chocolate almost a dark chocolate bar in beer form.

Taste starts out sweet and chocolate with a silky mouth feel a lot like melted chocolate. A little sweet and a little bitter with a trace of coffee and malt char in the flavor. Big vanilla flavor so I suspect white oak or Bourbon was involved somehow. British Ale fruity flavors show as the beer warms up quite a bit. Alcohol completely hidden.

Mouthfeel is silk.

Don't give many 5s but this beer deserves it for drinkability. At room temperature and this just keeps getting tastier! Smooth as sin, really close to drinking expensive chocolate instead of eating it. Think best chocolate beer ever.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2008 02:49:46 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle into a snifter.

Pours a dense black (that doesn't look unlike motor oil) with a finger of charred looking burnt mocha colored head. This fizzles down to just the thinnest ring with some thin wisps across the center that leaves behind a small smattering of lace and brown oily residues down the sides of the glass. The aroma is thick with dark bittersweet chocolate and dry oatmeal notes that are followed by some prominent coffee and dark roasted quality. There is also a stiff waft of heat that flows in and out of the other aromas.

The taste is more bittersweet chocolate and burnt toast character that is balanced out by some softer malty notes of caramel and maybe even a bit of dark fruits. There is also a nice smoky aspect that appears to rear its head once in a while as well as dry oatmeal notes that hangs on the palette with some lingering bitterness. The mouthfeel is full bodied with a thick and chewy (even almost viscous as it warms) feel at times but still moves effortlessly across the palette thanks to that oatmeal character. Some heat is definitely present but thanks to the big flavors and overall smooth body of this, it never becomes distracting.

A new beer from Stone that tastes like a burnt chocolate chip cookie and drinks like a champ? Sign me up for more please! I can't wait to see what a little age on this will do, as it really does feel like it will smooth out even more over time.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2008 13:47:36 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I remember fartingdog bringing this over but can't remember if it was from him or not. Thanks! Also had a glass at the brewpub a couple days before.

Pours an opaque dark brown, almost black, thin tan head forms, quickly settles to a flimsy ring, some lace spots. Smell is licorice and chocolate, some roast, caramel, oats, biscuit, alcohol, bit of fruitiness, kind of interesting. Taste is quite sweet, licorice, chocolate milk, toffee, some roast, oatmeal, biscuits, very malty beast, dark fruits and cherries, yeast, alcohol, decent balance in the finish, touch of roasty bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, some warmth going down. Smooth for its strength, just didn't do much for me. Found it a bit too sweet and was expecting more of an intense chocolate rather than so much fruit.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2008 20:30:38 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Inky black body. Thin coating of brown cream on top. Moderate amounts of lace are left behind. Aroma is chalk full of bittersweet chocolate, anise, rum soaked raisins and cherry. Flavor is some of the same, but also some fusel alcohol contributions that bring it down. A little too much heat for my liking. Didn't expect this much from a 9.2 beer. But other than that, there is the bitter chocolate notes and anise oil and coffee. Body is medium at best and carbonation fairly low, which doesn't detract from the experience. Not one that'd I'd need more of anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2008 04:52:18 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black and completely opaque with a 2 finger frothy chocolate/coffee-colored head that slowly settles into a lasting cap that leaves chunks of lacing behind.

Bitter dark chocolate aroma with lots of roasted/toasted malt notes, oatmeal, roasted coffee bean and candy sugar. There is a lot going on here and hopefully the flavor lives up to the aroma.

Deep roasted full body with lots of sweet bitter dark chocolate, roasted coffee bean, oatmeal, burnt toast and toffee. All of this dark roasty character is nicely balanced by the sweetness of the dark chocolate and a bit of candy sugar. There is also a slight dark fruit presence and a subtle nut character. Very well balanced with well masked alcohol make this complex beer pretty drinkable. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 07:12:28 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another impressive beer from Stone, reminding me very much of the RIS, but with (predictably) more of a chocolate overtone.

On tap at Mahaffey's the other day.

The beer pours a solid black color with persistent, chocolate/coffee colored head. Head retention is pretty good and there is good sticky lacing. The nose on this beer is pretty complex, with coffee, cherry, vanilla, chocolate, some roastiness and licorise. The flavors on the palate generally replicate the nose, except the licorise is even more pronounced. The beer has a sizable presence on the palate and tastes like a big beer (which of course, it is). While moderately sweet initially, the hops come on strong at the end, giving the beer almost a grainy mouthfeel. The beer finishes fairly dry, and frankly is a bit heavy and tiring. I think the finish hurts this beers drinkability just a bit, though it's certainly an impressive effort from Stone. I get the impression that this one may improve considerably with age, not unlike the Stone RIS. Still a solid beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2008 19:22:23 | More by johnmichaelsen

DoubleJ

California

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What will one year of age do to this beer? On to the beer:

Pours thick into my Guinness pint glass. Super tanned espresso head sits on top this invincible black bodied beer. The aroma beings up good sweet flavors. Chcocolate syrup anyone? There is a hoppy character in its background, as is roasted coffee.

Semi-sweet chocolatey! There's a bit of roastiness hitting and sticking to palate midway. It has a very dominating chocolate flavor working in its favor, hardly anything bitter about it. I don't really taste the oatmeal, but it could explain the "lighter" than imperial feel, not that its a bad thing in this case. Somewhat charred. There is some fusel alcohol felt as the beer closes to a finish, but it is washed away by faint coffee and heavier sweet chocolate.

If you have this beer in your possession, it will be good right now. Drinkable without weighing you down, and plenty to satisfy that sweetooth without becoming cloying. Okay....what I'm trying to say is...bring this back for another round!

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2009 04:52:15 | More by DoubleJ

glid02

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this on-tap at the GA release.

Pours completely black with a great looking two-finger chocolate-colored head. The head sticks around for a bit before receding into a patchy layer on top and a thick ring around the glass. The lacing is sticky.

Smells good. There's a good bit of roasted malt aroma to go along with a mild chocolate smell. There's also a faint hint of vanilla.

Tastes good. It starts off with a mild roasted flavor and segues into a big hit of chocolate and bitterness and ends with a dry finish.

Mouthfeel is excellent. There's a great thickness and subtle carbonation that lets the flavors float out. Very smooth.

Drinkability is great. The oatmeal works wonderfully to smooth this bad boy out, and the flavors work well together without overpowering each other.

Overall it's another solid offering from Stone. It's a milder version of their RIS that doesn't have the big flavors but it's also a bit smoother. Definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2008 05:28:36 | More by glid02

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

4.05/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased from a very good Britain-based beer shop, "Beers of Europe", through on-line order. Coming in a light brown, 1 Pt. 6Fl. Oz. bomber bottle, bottled in July 2008, served cool in Hapkin's branded bulb-shaped sniffer.

A: pours the darkest (blackest) colour I've seen for any stout, topped with a dark brown creamy froth that retains the body elegantly, with uneven lacing behind.
S: aromatic without being imposing, the nose is full of vanilla-scented chocolates, sweet black dates, "breezy" fragrant US hops, licorice, sweet ground nuts, and faint alc. In some ways tis not as complex as Stone IRS, and slightly sweeter as well due to the chocolates I'm sure, but overall still promising and pleasant.
T: the lubricating-ly smooth foretaste of semi-sweet chocolate-milk-like maltiness expands with a lovely aromatic undertone mixed of roasted walnuts, black dates, oily-flowery hops, then the impact of bitter chocolates and hops deepens with a lively bitter, semi-chewy and herbal mouthfeel in the end, as well as a residual vanilla scent, roastiness and a key tinge of sourness as of truly bitter chocolates (90%?) rather than coffee beans. Unlike one's usual American hoppy ales, the bitter finish here is attributed more to chocolates than to hops, and this has already been anticipated since I had a glance of the beer's name.
M&D: lubricating on the mouthfeel with only mild carbonation, the palate is absolutely spot'on for such a potent stout to be enjoyed. Full-bodied, richly-flavoured, showing a light hint of alc., while on the whole a delicate balance is still retained b/w the heavy maltiness and lighter hoppiness thanks to the intervention of chocolate aroma and its indispensable sour tinge. Using bitter chocolates is a good idea, I think, to render a different type of bitter and sour elements on top of the overall decent performance of a quality dark ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2009 21:05:22 | More by wl0307

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Looks thick off the pour. Very dark brown foam that settled to a thin cap with some chunky bubbles forming a collar. Spotty lacing clung to the glass. The beer was pretty much black with very thin reddish edges. Big roasty coffee aroma initially, which gave way to notes of dried fruit, dry cocoa, burnt malt, slight licorice and booze. Balanced bitterness with a nice chocolate and roast flavour. Sweet malts filled out the middle. Fruit character appeared towards the end with alcohol rounding out the finish. Full bodied, but not heavy, with fine carbonation and creamy texture. Alcohol warmth. This one's tasty as it is, but it's still a bit young and hot. Some time in the cellar should smooth things out a bit. As it is, drink it a little on the warm side or let it warm up as you're drinking. It takes the edge off the alcohol and makes for a more pleasant drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2008 01:28:16 | More by DrJay

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A full, thick two fingers of really dark brown head with excellent retention. Nose was absolute bittersweet, or better, cooking chocolate. Color was a stygian-dark black. Mouthfeel was somewhat hot with a definite chocolate taste in the mouth. By chocolate, I mean melting a bittersweet bar and pouring it down your throat. You just get that slight burn. Finish was really smoky, chocolately, and definitely tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2009 22:55:08 | More by woodychandler