Ipswich Oatmeal Stout - Ipswich Ale Brewery

RummyRedbeard

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

(copied from blog - written September 28, 2012)

Appearance – Pours pretty much pitch black, mayyybe dark brown. A small dark creamy head which disappears quick.
Smell – Roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, oats.
Taste – Dark chocolate sort of bitterness, bold roasted coffee beans, subtle oatmeal.

Ah yes, it was a rather cold and bitter, rainy day today so I thought I’d indulge in some blood warming beer and Ipswich Oatmeal Stout was the right place to start. Upon moving your nose toward the glass an aroma of roasted coffee and chocolate surround it strongly and you don’t need to smell it twice to know what this beer consists of (though it’s really damn pleasant so you might want to!) The taste brings on a bitterness that’s reminiscent of dark chocolate and coffee beans but the addition of oats gives this beer a balanced sweetness and a consistent velvety texture which makes it very easy to drink. This is a great beer to have alone or maybe with some dessert after dinner.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 01:15:49 | More by RummyRedbeard

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Note: my personal scoring system uses whole numbers only)

Thanks to bucky10/mtrutlin for including this as an extra. 12oz bottle into a Nonic. Drank a couple weeks ago- going off my notes.

Aroma- a full chocolate nose with a lot of roasty malt character. If I sniff a bit harder, I get a little bit of black coffee as well. A pretty good smelling stout, not too complicated. (4)

Colour- Cola coloured brew that pours a 1cm brown head that dissipates quickly. Lacing is decent- seems to aggregate in small spots and sinks into the brew quickly. More or less looks like a stout. (3)

Flavour- Delicious. Lots of roasted malt character jumps out onto my palate. There is some bitterness throughout and at the end which reminds me of black coffee which I love. Near the end there's some chocolate and malty sweetness that trails off as well as hints of cherry. Very, very tasty stout. (5)

Mouthfeel- On the thinner end of the medium bodied spectrum. I'd expect a stout to be just a bit thicker, not motor oil but a bit thicker than this. Carbonation is good- my tongue felt a bit fizzy after the first drink. Aftertaste is spicy black coffee bitterness which is great. Warms me up too. (4)

Overall- Really well put-together oatmeal stout that has the flavour that I really enjoy in any sort of beer.. especially considering it's a year-round and reasonably priced. It's too bad I don't live in the New England distribution zone but I'm glad to have tried this beer. I'll keep it in mind the next time I go out and visit in Boston. (5)

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 00:00:20 | More by Stevedore

CJfromPhilly

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours from the 22 oz. bomber a cola-like black with a thick, foamy, fluffy 3 finger beige head that slowly settles to a very thick collar. Aroma brings notes of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, smoke, with a touch of hop spicey-ness! 1st sip brings a medium bitterness of unsweetened chocolate & coffee. The body is on the lighter side, with a somewhat thin texture and a bitter finish. Overall, a very good Oatmeal Stout...i'll be picking this one up again soon!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:27:20 | More by CJfromPhilly

homebrew311

Illinois

4.19/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured into SA sensory glass. Pours pitch black with dark brown head that dissipates quickly. Not much in the way of lacing or head retention. Smell is intensely roasty with notes of oatmeal, light caramel, coffee, and toast. Taste is full of specialty grains up front with a heavy dry roast quality followed up by a somewhat creamy oatmeal character. Notes of chocolate and coffee come through with a somewhat dry finish. There is a mild bitterness which seems to be more from the roasted grain than hops. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with somewhat high carbonation. Overall, this is a nice full flavored oatmeal stout with a huge emphasis on the roast. This is a nice features of specialty grains, worth checking out!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 09:52:28 | More by homebrew311

acevenom

Louisiana

5/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a dimpled mug. Pours black with a two-finger length tan head. Some lacing is left on the glass as the head dissipates. There are aromas of dark roasted malts, chocolate and coffee. The taste follows the nose. It's very roasty with chocolate and coffee notes. I get some of that oatmeal flavor as well. There is some roastiness in the aftertaste. The body is light to medium with moderate carbonation. The drinkability is fairly high and the oatmeal helps smooth the beer. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 00:41:02 | More by acevenom

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance: Very dark brown with a bit of cola highlights held directly to light. Thick, messy mocha head and lacing. A real looker.
smell: Mocha. Full chocolate with coffee coming in second. Quite rich and complex.
taste: Much like the nose. a slight bitterness in the finish.
mouthfeel: Full and velvety.
overall: A big beer hiding in a 7% Oatmeal. Rich, complex but mellow and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 23:41:39 | More by cindyjeffsmith

maxk

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. It was a little too cold, so I let it warm up to be very lightly chilled in the glass.

Beer looks just how I would like an oatmeal stout to look. It's got what is probably the thickest, creamiest head I've ever seen. Incredible head retention and lacing.

Lots of chocolate, some roasted coffee, maybe a little caramel.

Whoa. This is an oatmeal stout. I've been drinking a bunch of Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout recently, liking it and thinking it to be a good example of the style. I've obviously been wrong, because this is probably the best, most oatmeal-y oatmeal stout I've ever experienced. Tastes of prominently of coffee, with a little bit of smokiness. There's chocolate and caramelized sugar in there too. This is probably the creamiest beer I've ever had, it's like I'm drinking a beer flavored milkshake.

Best oatmeal stout I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 22:00:54 | More by maxk

JohnnyJam

Arizona

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a pint glass. The date code is printed on the bottle: 09/28/12.

A: Pours black and there is a finger of head that dissipates to just a minimal covering on top of the glass and that stays to the end. There is minimal lacing.

S: Just an abundance of various smells: citrus, chocolate, moasses, burnt sugar and charcoal.

T: Taste follows smell. The aftertaste is hoppy and dark chocolate.

M: Very easy to drink but not as thick as I would expect. Nicely carbonated.

O: I like this beer. It goes down smooth and after a sip; it leaves you wanting another. The taste is so complex and maybe it is the IBU's (which I don't know) that make it hard too gulp it or drink it any other way than a sip and a sip and another sip. Delicious and I would recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 03:53:55 | More by JohnnyJam

PatriotsRule

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of my favorite brews of all time.
A: Nice deep black with ample cream colored craggy head and appetizing lacing
S: Hoppy with a bit of roasted oats
T: All of the best flavours as one. Reminds me not only of oatmeal but of pear and cheddar.
M: Spice is minimal but the beer has a real kick to it. Crisp and smooth, not too syrupy
O: Better than the best oatmeal if you ask me, and I am an oatmeal lover. I wonder if this was brewed with apple cinnamon, because it is most definitely a real oatmeal in this tasty pick

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 14:27:50 | More by PatriotsRule

kagent777

Utah

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle recently acquired from Las Vegas poured into my CCB snifter at cellar temp. Bottled in September 28, 2012.

Appearance: Black with dark brown edges when held to the light. Little lacing settles to a ring around the edge of the snifter and a thin varied pattern in the middle reminiscent of a bowling ball sparkle. Leaves a little lacing as it goes.

Smell: Roasted malts a faint hint of cooked oats. Mild earthy hops.

Taste: Roasted malts with a touch of char, not too much like some RISs. I get hints of cocoa, enough to evoke crispy chocolate chip cookies. A nice semi-sweetness hovers over every flavor, ending with a mild bitterness. Very balanced.

Mouthfeel: Middling thickness and carbonation. Nothing out of the ordinary, here.

Overall: Probably my new standard for oatmeal stouts. I really enjoyed this beer and will look for more bottles. This one fires on all cylinders.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 04:19:51 | More by kagent777

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

A- Pours a jet black body with a dark mocha thick 2" airy head that sticks around for a bit and recudes to a solid patch of foam. Beautiful.

S- Fresh coffee beans is the strong aroma upfront. Slight vanilla notes in the background. Inviting.

T- Upfront I get a bold heavily toasted, nearly burnt malt taste followed by a mellow dark chocolate, roasty aftertaste. Slight hop bite to finish.

M- Thick and robust, just how a stout should be.

Overall, a well rounded rich an balanced stout. Recommendable.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 01:52:19 | More by gcamparone

BigCheese

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Ink black, opaque, very thin cardboard head, minimal lacing, motor oil.

S: Deep roasted malts, dark coco, espresso. smell is kinda one dimensional but rather pungent.

T: Burnt bread, rasins, molasses, choco/espresso combo, some honey/caramel and Bourbon notes in finish. I get some tobacco too, this is pretty dark intense. Has a certain "robustness" from relatively high IBU. Hints of nutty oatmeal sneak through in finish.

M: Very low carbonation, super rich, syrupy. Oatmeal adds that soft silkyness. Suprised that ABV isnt higher.

O: This has the makings of a Imperial Stout in flavor and body. Its rich. The flavor profile is pretty in your face, a great beer for a cold night. Gets smoother as it warms up, flavors meld much better. An absolute steal at the price. Ipswich rules.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 01:40:07 | More by BigCheese

parris

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Smell - Cocoa, a hint of malt, molasses

Appearance - Black, thick tan/brown head

Taste - Chocolate, a hint of burnt malt, coffee

Mouthfeel - Fairly light bodied, crisp

Overall - Being a really common beer from the area, that doesn't have any sort of cult following, I was surprised at how easy drinking, yet perfectly balanced, yet somewhat unique this beer is.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 22:40:26 | More by parris

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark chocolate, lightly roasted coffee, vanilla, molasses, and maple are well balanced in the aroma coming off this beer.

They say you eat with your eyes first, and this beer tastes (looks) great! India Ink black in color with a nice thin mocha head that laces extremely well.

Mimicking the aroma exactly, with slightly more coffee roast, Ipswich delivers on flavor! I just want to eat this beer! Almost chewy in texture with light carbonation and a beautiful balance of bitterness and sweetness, this oatmeal stout becomes a wonderful sipping beer sure to go well with cheesecake a la mode.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 00:49:03 | More by tlazaroff

Dools9

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle dated 8/24/12 poured into a tulip.

A: Pitch black in color, two finger creamy brown head will not go away. Laces like a boss.

S: Sweet bittersweet chocolate upfront, light coffee, light molasses, hints of oats.

T: Heavy dark roasted malts, bittersweet dark cocoa, some espresso bitterness, lurking in the back are raisin and plum. Just a tad smokiness lingers. Big time flavors going on here.

M: Medium body, smooth and silky on the mouth.

O: Excellent, flavorful oatmeal stout. Ipswich hit the nail on the head with this one. At 10 bucks a sixer, it might be one of the most affordable top notch stouts money can buy.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 00:50:24 | More by Dools9

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well I am back, finally and happy to be reviewing some new beers with some old treats. This beer is an old treat for me as I have had one before but didnt review it. Got a six pack of this for $5, as it has aged a year.

A: Pours a dark roast color with a solid 2-in caramel colored head, leaves some lacing as it slowly dwindles down.

S: Smell is of oats, roasted malts and dark chocolate with a little bit of a toffee aroma at the back end.

T: I get some raisins up front with the dark chocolate following. The flavor ends with some toffee notes, a little caramel and roasted malts on the after taste.

M: Mouth feel is sweet, a little more watered down than a gold standard oatmeal stout, but the characteristics are very much the same.

O: This along with Breckenridge is widely available at my local liquor store down the street. I love Breckenridge much better than this, but that doesnt discredit the beer at all. It is an excellent Oatmeal stout and very much appreciated for those who live in my neck of the woods. Another beer well done Massachusetts!

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 23:50:34 | More by SouljaSaia17

Duff27

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Inch tall mid-mocha head on a dark brown body. Very good head retention, leaves a layer of head throughout. Clumpy lacing.

S- Cocoa on the nose, oatmeal.

T- Taste takes you on a ride. All the usual suspects are here...chocolate, roastiness...but they all play superbly great off each other. Distinctive coffee aftertaste, nice!

M- The medium mouthfeel is so smooth. Carbonation is low but adequate.

D/O- I could drink this all night and be happy. really dig the coffee undertones at the end of each sip. An under-the-radar brew for sure!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 03:00:55 | More by Duff27

zhanson88

Montana

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours out pretty much pitch black with 1" of dark khaki head. Good retention and lacing. Nice looking beer, pretty opaque.

Smell: Smells very roasty, with some bitter dark chocolate and coffee in there as well. Much more expressive and intense than many in this style.

Taste: Some roasted malt character up front, with bitter dark chocolate and coffee as well. Very nice. Very strong, expressive flavors.

Mouthfeel: All of medium bodied, probably a little full than that even. Nice low carbonation, and very smooth. Overall, I was honestly extremely impressed with this. One of the best oatmeal stouts I've had, if not the best.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 03:32:04 | More by zhanson88

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle from a 6-pack. Poured into Founders snifter.

A- Pours a mostly opaque brown with average carbonation and not much head, not too much in terms of lacing.

S- Oatmeal, dark chocolate, malts, slightly above average aroma strength.

T- Oatmeal, dark chocolate, malts, light caramel. Finishes with a light oatmeal dark chocolate taste that lingers as an aftertaste.

M- Creamy, nice carbonation for the style, very easy to drink, abv very well hidden, could easily knock back a bunch of these.

O- This is a great local stout. The flavor is very nice, it finish very smooth, and is very easy to drink. The price is absolutely unbeatable- ~$10 for a 6-pack, I definitely recommend picking some up. A beer that I've tried multiple times and definitely will pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 01:28:01 | More by jaasen64

arizcards

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bomber from Total Wine Arrowhead in early March for $4.99.

Beer poured black as night with a decent tan head that is leaving some lacing behind.

Nose is a snootful of dark cocoa and coffee.

Taste is roasted malts with a heavy dose of dark cocoa. Espresso lingers nicely in the background for additional bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and oatmeal makes things nice and smooth.

Overall this is a totally smackable beer. I will need to seek this out again at Total Wine.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 23:05:30 | More by arizcards

Celtics76

Rhode Island

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a Yebisu Creamy Stout glass my brother Mitch picked up in Japan.

Good looking stout - solid black in color with some good head that never dissipates completely. Very profound scent of roasted malt and black coffee. Quite flavorful with mild carbonation. I like the fact that it's strong at 7% ABV, but not terribly noticeable.

Basically, if you're a fan of good gourmet dark roast coffee (as I am), you will be a fan of this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 22:22:04 | More by Celtics76

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

No date

A: Thick head with good retention and lacing.

S: Roast, char and a little sweet chocolate.

T: Roast, nice char and earthy hops against the malt sweetness that pokes through. Lingers nicely. Very tasty, and with the intensity of flavor expected from a 7% abv stout.

M: Full and silky. Just about what I look for in an oatmeal stout.

O: An excellent oatmeal stout. Unfortunately it's on the abv high end, which cuts down on drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 02:33:07 | More by greybeardloon

Dope

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours black with a ridiculously huge and dense medium brown head. Fades very slowly, leaving a thick wall of lacing. An island of foam remains at all time.

S: Wonderful roasted malt aroma. Lots of chocolate, roasty char and coffee bean. Oatmeal is prominent as well, lending a creaminess to it all.

T: Strong bitter coffee and chocolate up front. Smooths out with some char and oatmeal, again giving it a creamy, milky quality not unlike a milk stout. Finishes with a bitter roast quality and some smoke.

M: Medium bodied, smooth and creamy.

O: One of the best oatmeal stouts out there. Maybe second only to Sam Smith's (which is divine). It's got nice sharp roasted malt qualities with the creaminess and added complexity of the oatmeal. A must-have for fans of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 04:31:12 | More by Dope

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Black brew with a small head and no lacing.

S - Chocolate, clay, burnt sugar, dried leaf litter and faint coffee.

T - A little chocolate, moss and spring water (odd, I know but it rather clearly tastes like fresh spring water alongside the other flavors in a way that most beers do not). These are quickly joined by a charcoal and forest floor flavors. The aftertaste is of bitter coffee and bitter leaf litter. There is a medicinal hint to the bitterness which is strong enough to make the aftertaste a little unpleasant.

M - Thick, smooth, a little refreshing. Good mouthfeel, but honestly subpar among oatmeal stouts.

D - It is nice. I don't think it stands out against other oatmeal stouts though. I wouldn't mind having it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 20:30:40 | More by mrasskicktastic

MaryG

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer poured a nice dark color that would intimidate a novice beer drinker. The taste of this beer is smooth and very well balanced. After the first sip the lighter body quelled the fear of the darker color.

This beer is surprisingly hoppy for a stout!

Hints of chocolate and coffee don't overtake your pallet but definitely add to the character of the beer.

Overall an enjoyable brew!

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 14:20:53 | More by MaryG