Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout Ale - Dark Horse Brewing Company

haddon

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

had this on tap at Lexington Beerworks.

pours black with a 2-finger of tan on top.

Lots of chocolate and coffee with roasted malt. Chocolate and licorice with Roasted malts and Coffee and oatmeal

Medium in body with a moderate carbonation and a smoothness on the tongue.

my first sample of Dark Horse. I'm impressed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 04:51:04 | More by haddon

fredmugs

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the better oatmeal stouts I have ever had. The beer looked great but lacked in aroma. The taste more than made it up for it. Smoooth and if a beer can be too drinkable this would be it. I could have drank that beer all night. Recommending this to everyone and I hope I can find it in 6ers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 15:02:51 | More by fredmugs

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Its with a chewy and marshmallowy texture that Dark Horse's One Oatmeal Stout massages the palate and further entices the taste buds with its roasty and chocolaty overtones. And with a depth of complexity and richness, the stout teeters on the edge of imperial status.

While pouring with a highly viscous milkshake-like visual weight, the solid brown foam patiently separates from the beer beneath in a cascading effect. The froth caps the beer like cocoa-stained meringue. Its stubborn persistence yields lacy rings of foam with every sip taken. This is a seriously masculine beer!

Strongly scented, the beer's roasty overtones hit home with elements of Turkish coffee, cocoa, campfire, heavy charred toast, and malted milk with toffee. Slight vinous fruits and rummy alcohol notes tingle the nose with almost the intensity of stronger imperial stouts.

Its also the flavor of strongly roasted coffees that take command of the beer in taste. Roasted beans of coffee and cocoa weave together in bittersweet fashion. The embedded malt and oats uphold the roast with the taste of toffee, heavy cream, and marshmallows and beings to shape my impressions like chocolate coated espresso beans and "Whoppers" candy. Again, a mild tinge of spiced rum and roasted plum lurk behind the dominant malt taste. Mild in bitterness, it seems that the balance comes from char- to the point where any hop addition is relatively unnoticed.

But the mouthfeel is where the beer really shines. Upon the first draw of the glass, the mouth is engulfed with a billowing mocha-infused velvety texture. And again, marshmallow fluff come to mind again. Its chewy texture is sliced by sweet alcohol warmth and signals closure of the session with an extended roasty aftertaste.

Where the beer far exceeds any expectation of oatmeal stout, it's larger-than-life character causes the beer to register with the palate and tongue as an imperial stout. Though the beer refuses to take sides, it captures the essence of both masterfully.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2012 16:39:19 | More by BEERchitect

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured on tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is jet black, with a steady carbonation bubbling along the glass, and a thin, creamy, dense covering of chocolate milk colored head. The beer's nose is mildly sweet, with chocolate and cream notes, and a hint of coffee highlights. Flavors are rich, with a more bitter dark chocolate character in the forefront, balanced with a toasty, almost charred, balancing taste. Coffee grounds make an appearance on the tongue, as well as a subtle hint of hops in the background. The flavors blend together well, but are a bit abrasive overall. Good, smooth body despite the bitter characteristics, with a good lacing left along the glass. The aftertaste is a mix of bitter dark chocolate and day old coffee, with a bitter twinge left on the tongue and in mouth. The finish lingers on quite a bit, although not entirely unpleasant. There is a slight drying in mouth that begs for another drink. Flavor profiles and mouthfeel lean me more towards an Irish Dry stout versus Oatmeal, but a decent brew, regardless.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 19:02:38 | More by GarthDanielson

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Draft, poured onto a 10 oz. Snifter (Brandy glass), at The Fridge bottle shop.

Notes taken there.

Pours a ¼” head which quickly reduces to a thin film. Easily revived with a swirl of the glass. A live ale.
The color is a very deep brown, practically black, with a deep tan colored head.

The aroma is one of medium deep roasted malt with an underlying sense of richness, but nothing really stands out. I was looking for more here.

Distinct, rich, black roasted malt and not much else. There is a nice bitterness but no hops. Very full body with a low but balanced carbonation. The flavor is the best part and is tasty.

Very long, rich, bitter finish of roasted malt.

Well I have to admit I was looking for more here. Not that it’s that bad but still, except for the deeply roasted malt there really is not much else.
The rather pronounced bitterness is different in its own way I suppose, but I really wanted more in the smell to make this special, especially since it was on draft.

I had this ale on three separate occasions because I was convinced I just was not getting it, you know missing something. Also at different temps ranging from cold from the tap, to room temp. That being said if it’s here I can’t find it. A good experience none the less.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 23:21:13 | More by JTSbeerislife

Spider889

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Bodega recently.

Black, good thick consistency for the style which I like. Small cap of tan foam and left ok lace down my pint.

Little aroma coming off this one. Some mild roasted barley but I was otherwise left wanting much more...

Tasted great, loads of really dark malt lending a lot of roasted coffee flavors. Some bitter dark chocolate and roasted barley.

Mouthfeel is really smooth, yet there are some small but furious bubbles that emerge on the back of the tongue on the way down. Very very drinkable, another overall success from dh.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2010 20:34:44 | More by Spider889

jrallen34

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Local Option into a tulip...Thick dark brown pour with a light tan head, good retention...Sweet aroma with lots of chocolate, not enough oatmeal, a little roast...Taste is pretty good, sweet chocolate, lightly bitter, a touch of coffee, again not enough oatmeal, wish this was a lot more creamy.

Not bad, but nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2010 19:33:14 | More by jrallen34

champ103

Texas

2.73/5  rDev -28%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours pitch black with a two finger tan head that forms. The foam has good retention, with some rings of lace left around the glass.
S: Acrid, burnt coffee. Very astringent. Some chocolate and sweetness lingers.
T: Follows the nose. Very acrid, astringent, and even oxidized. Light sweetness and chocolate flavors as well. Though, for the most part a little unpleasant.
M/D: A medium to full body. Moderate carbonation, but needs to be much more creamy and smooth for the style. Not the easiest thing to put back. The acrid and astringent character mixed with the high alcohol makes this harder to drink than I would like.

This is a miss from Dark Horse. I usually love their beers, but not one that I am going to come back to any time soon. To much acrid, burnt, and astringent flavors going on. Not the worst thing ever, but nothing I would really recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2010 20:11:55 | More by champ103

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Happy to see this on tap at House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, PA -- welcome, Dark Horse, to the SWPA market!

Poured into a stemmed tulip: Black body, small highlights around the edges. Finger of mocha head that drops to a thin wisp, no real lacing.

Smells of deep roast malt, some coffee & bready notes. Very nice smell.

Taste is very bitter & roasty. Smooths out to a dark bread but that bitterness really hangs around. A little overwhelming. A little oaky, but without much to balance out the bitter.

Full-bodied, smooth, chewy, but that snappy carbonation that keeps me awake.

A really schizophrenic beer: I liked everything but the taste. Too roasty for me, a little abrasive. I kept waiting for it to warm up & the malts to gain some steam, but that dark, burnt character still dominated.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2010 03:10:31 | More by OneDropSoup

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours jet black with a light brown head. In the aroma, sweet oatmeal, roast and coffee notes. In the taste, roast malt and coffee, and nice sweet oatmeal, and a some heat from the alcohol. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry coffee and just a hint of caramel in the aftertaste. Easy to drink and nice dry to sweet complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2010 16:09:05 | More by OWSLEY069

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Darkhorse Oatmeal stout pours a midnight black with a dark brown head. Already the beer looks oily. A wonderful boquet of roasted malt and chocolate make up the nose.

Tastes really good with roasted malt, coffee, raw cocoa and a hint of spice, namely brewers cinnamon. Layers of complexities, and smoothed out by the oats. A nice lingering roasted flavor and a hint of hops at the end.

The best beer I've had yet from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2010 14:41:41 | More by Stinkypuss

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On draft in the home bar - about 50 degrees.

Pours with a thick, tight-foam-like brown head over top of an opaque, jet-black body, with some visible carbonation trapped on the edges. Minimal lacing.

Thick dark chocolate aromas, with molasses-like sweetness, and some black licorice.

Visciously thick mouthfeel - Flavor comes thru much more roasty and charred than the aroma. Double-dark chocolate brownies, with a touch of cherry. Carbonation helps the finish come through pretty clean, given the high ABV and chunky mouthfeel.

Drinkability is relatively low for the style - it really drinks like a much fatter beer than the 8% suggests.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2010 01:00:26 | More by BeerImmediately

Katahdin

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The first thing I noticed was the nice smell of sweet milk chocolate emanting from the fresh pour. Had a definite taste combination of roasted oatmeal and coffee with slight lingering hints of chocolate. Warms you like a good winter warmer but without the abundant presence of alcohol taste. A robust beer that lingers nicely on the palate but is surprisingly smooth going down. Very drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 20:41:48 | More by Katahdin

capra12

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed at Capones on 11/7/09.

Appearance: Jet black with creme/ brown head.

Smell: Dark chocolate and coffee

Taste: Opens with powdered dark chocolate as coffee bitters and sours come in leading to a rather bittering and smooth hop finish, leaving my palate a bit bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation and smooth.

Drinkability: I would have this again and recommend this to those who enjoy a stout with a mild open and smooth enjoyable bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 03:39:11 | More by capra12

SpeedwayJim

New York

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

Had this one on tap at Capone's, poured into a Belhaven pint glass.

A: Poured a 1 finger fluffy, creamy chocolate head with unbelievable retention. Brew itself was near opaque black. Frothy lacing was full and outstanding.

S: Chocolate, coffee, roasted, smokey malt, light sour oatmeal, hops.

T: Milk chocolate, oatmeal, sour roasted coffee.

M: Medium bodied and very smooth. Finishes clean and wet with a moderately layered mouthfeel.

D: Highly drinkable and enjoyable. This is kinda like Sam Smith's oatmeal stout with a creamier and fuller mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2009 02:55:14 | More by SpeedwayJim

Rbehrens

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - So dark that no light could pass through. A beautiful dark tan one and a half finger small bubble head that dissipated quickly.

S - Smelled of oatmeal and coffee with a hint of chocolate.

T - It stated with oatmeal and finished with coffee. I enjoyed the balance.

M - Smooth and creamy. The carbonation level was great.

D - I thought when looking at the beer that after one I would be done. After the first I just wanted another one and the cycle continued.

I loved this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2009 21:07:48 | More by Rbehrens

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a full and clean black. No other colors even manifest themselves in hues around the edges of the glass as I hold it up to light. A half cm of fluffy dark head rapidly dissipates and fades into only a thin ring of bubbles around the rim. No lacing until about halfway through the beer, then it gives thin spiderweb-like laces.

This is one helluva intense smell. The first notable aroma is a big espresso character. For a little while, that is all you will get. Digging deeper and really searching, there is a nice toffee presence and some bitter dark chocolate notes.

This beer almost reminds me of an American Imperial Stout. The coffee presence is big in the taste as well, but it doesn't come through quite as much as it does in the smell. Chocolate bitterness, nutty and caramel notes are also present. A grainy oatmeal dryness appears in the middle, then gives way to a big finish with caramel and coffee, with only a touch of warming alcohol.

Smooth, full, creamy feel. Slides over the tongue with little carbonation. The texture is as thick as it looks. Taste is a little subtler than expected, but this beer does not disappoint. This is one big oatmeal stout! A perfect offering to try on a cold rainy day!

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2009 04:43:26 | More by NittanyBeerFan

beerad666

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Ordered this on draft at Jerry's on Division in Chicago. They have such a great tap list it was hard to settle on this but I had seen the bottles at the stores and have been wanting to pick up a four pack. The label is so simple and yet very interesting.

It pours a dark black with a small creamy brown that quickly recedes and moves to the edges. Decent lacing on the glass. This is odd but there is almost no smell, maybe some roasted malts but there is almost nothing there. The flavor makes up for what the smell is missing. There is a nice bite to it and it's just right for the cold day I was drinking it on. It was served very cold but warms you up great. It is sweet but more of a roasted sweet than chocolate sweet. The 8% abv is there but is well masked by the flavors of vanilla and coffee. The flavors just dance in you mouth and the finish just leaves you wanting more. By the look of this beer you would think it would be a sipper but it's surprisingly drinkable. I was waiting for a take away order and this was pretty much gone after 10 - 15 mins.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2008 20:59:01 | More by beerad666

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a shaker pint.

Appearance
Pitch black with 1 finger of brown head. There's some definite oats swimming around on the bottom of the glass.

Nose
Cocoa, semi-sweet chocolate, roasted barley and black licorice.

Taste
Caramel with a dusting of powdered cocoa. Roasted barley and semi-sweet chocolate. Hints of black licorice, smoke and char.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, silky and smooth.

Overall
A mighty fine Oatmeal Stout. Extremely quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:20:06 | More by justintcoons

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.51/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: bottle shared by baybum at a March '13 tasting. Thanks, Ray!

Sampled this in a very interesting vertical line along with Too Cream, and Tres Blueberry, and 4 Elf.

Solid black pour, with a small tan head, that sank to a ringlet. Roasty stout aroma, dark malts, toasted oats and barley. No surprises. This followed into the taste, roasty dark malts, toasted grains, slight coffee bitterness, ash. The body was about medium, kind of weak for an oatmeal stout, but I'd bet it would work well on nitro. A pretty basic but solid oatmeal stout overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 10:58:59 | More by Rifugium

centurian62

Michigan

4.71/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I finally found an oatmeal stout that rivals The Poet from New Holland. This has an exceptionally clean finish and a great flavor. Unfortunately, I can't find it close to me but I did find it in Traverse City, MI and I'm glad I did. I'm saving a couple bottles from my 4 pack to let friends try it. I never have a fridge without Poet in it but if I am able to find One Oatmeal Stout nearby, I will make sure that it fills any potential void. Great flavor, great mouthfeel and overall a fantastic brew from Dark Horse!

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 15:03:12 | More by centurian62

tdm168

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - very thick and deep black; thick, quarter inch of dark brown head that fades after a few seconds

S - chocolate, dark fruit, black licorice, coffee, roasted malts; this is a rather intense and promising aroma

T - chocolate, dark fruit, black licorice, piney bitterness, bitter roasted malt and coffee finish

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a nice offering. The flavor has incredible depth. The chocolate and dark fruit notes are impeccable. But the nuances such as the black licorice add tremendous character. The lightening touch of the oatmeal thins the body just enough to make this incredibly drinkable. This is definitely a stout that is worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 01:32:45 | More by tdm168

buck1futter

Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Alright been drinking this beer for a while, I have a 2011 bottle,2010, and the latest batch. Let's do it.

Poured in a Orval glass and Gulden Draak glass.

A- The aged little to no head, the newest about finger. Dark and thick. mocha head and lacing.

S-Newest lots of oats, dark dark roasted malt, little coffee, a little nutty. aged- chocolate, dark dried fruit, vanilla. Aged smells much better. mostly malt though.

T- New- Roasted coffee, some hops, lots of dark malts, a hint of choco. Aged-A very creamy chocolate the that is vague in potency. Coffe, no coffee bitterness though. really smooth. Man the beer hits you it not really big but full of flavor, then backs out a just sits and relaxes on your tongue with big choco and coffee, so mouth watery too, this beer ages so well.

m-medium body plenty of carbonation. aged- kinda think but goes down so well, no carbo, just mellow and smooth.

One of my fav. beers to age changes a little but 1 1/2-2 years this beer is fantastic. I usually try to buy a case drink some and then age some. good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 05:01:57 | More by buck1futter

BeerZack

North Carolina

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thick black beer with a one-finger light brown head that fades to a respectable ring. Smells of sweet caramel and roasty dark malts with hints of marzipan and vanilla. Sweet caramelly maltiness thats almost immediatley balanced by a bitter hops. The finish is a bit rough with the substantial hop bitteness and dark malts amplifying an astringency. 8% abv beer with medium-full bodied mouthfeel that doesn't come of sticky or filmy.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 23:48:34 | More by BeerZack

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.36/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a black color; the pour itself looks quite dark and viscous. The head is a one finger light tan shade. It fades relatively quickly, leaving only minute lacing on the glass.

S: I definitely get a decent amount of oats on the nose, backed by a ton of roasted barley. Hints of chocolate, vanilla, and licorice are also present. Good, if muted.

T: There's a mild smoked quality to the opening flavors that I find intriguing. Afterwards, it develops a dominant note of licorice with tones of coffee and vanilla on the finish. Moderately enjoyable, but the flavors could use more singular distinctness; they all seem to blend together.

M: This one is surprisingly heavy on the palate, backed by a good silky smoothness and tons of lingering flavor. If someone called this an imperial stout, I wouldn't think twice either way. Despite the score, I really love the texture here - but the problem is, it doesn't match up with the mellow flavors particularly well, so I can't give a great score here.

O: Nothing amazing, but it's a solid offering. It kind of reminds me of a mediocre imperial stout, and that's actually a compliment in this case.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 23:17:06 | More by ThisWangsChung