Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout - Anderson Valley Brewing Company

jazztoloc

Mexico

5/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought a 12oz 6-PACK and poured into a Pint. No signs of freshness date or ABV sign (is this weird?).

A: Very dark, Thick, Oily, Small Head.

S: Very sweet, hints of cofee and chocolate. Great smell.

T: Great balance between sweet and bitter, the aftertaste it´s great. The flavors stay for a while in your mouth.

M: Feels nice and creamy.

D: Drinkability is very high, I'd liked it so much that I am not sure if it could get much better than this.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 18:06:56 | More by jazztoloc

Jordan

California

4.97/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Beautiful! This brew is absolutely delicious. Superb silk texture. Strong roasted malt, cappucinno. Potent roasted malts on the nose. Super dark brown head, with a tint of peach. Anderson Valley Brewing Co. hasn't failed me yet. Excellent craftsman.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2002 02:40:51 | More by Jordan

iceball585

New York

4.97/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Pitch black color, non-transparent, half finger thick tan color head that faded quickly to a thin cover

S- Milk chocolate, roasted malts, earthy, freshly brewed coffee, slight alcohol smell

T- Roasted coffee beans, cocoa powder, dark malts, oats, sweet, grains, slight hop bitterness, also hint of smokeyness

M- Medium/heavy body, low/medium carbonation, smooth, perfectly blended flavors

D- Wow, I'd buy it by the case (if it wasn't so expensive)

This is probably the best oatmeal stout that I've ever had. Great flavors and not one aspect is too over powering. I tip my hat to the brewers of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 23:27:11 | More by iceball585

ralree

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +21%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Very deep brown/black and opaque. Nice 2-finger head that dissipates down to a beautiful lace. What this style should look like.

S: Rich chocolate, coffee, and grain. Delicious roasted malt smell - man I want to drink this.

D: Absolutely amazing. Coffee, grain, and chocolate with a rich roasted malt. A slight creaminess as well. Hops are in the background. Alcohol almost undetectable. This is a perfect example of this style.

M: Thick and a little chewy. Coats the mouth with deliciousness. A bit astringent. Carbonation is almost perfect.

D: Drinks very well for the style. I could hammer a couple of these pretty easily. Not painful to drink slow either.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2007 23:13:02 | More by ralree

ggroller

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Santa left a case of this stuff for my brother Christmas day.

The beer looks opaque black at first glance but when held to the light shows a little bit of ruby.

Smells of coffee, chocolate, cream.

Tastes like a rich cup of creamy cocoa with an espresso like finish.

Mouthfeel could be a little more slick, but it's still not bad.

Big flavors but yet very drinkable.

This is the best oatmeal stout I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2007 14:06:48 | More by ggroller

HairyHopopotamus

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A fantastic beer!
I randomly stumbled across this beer 3 years ago in a small "primitive" town in SE Ohio. They sure had good taste! I later moved to Northern California and was astonished by the sight of AV Barney Flatt's Oatmeal Stout. We crossed paths once again and with no disappointment.

This beer has become one of my favorites!

The appearance is extremely Opaque... almost no light is visible even in the very edges.

The smell is chocolatey and mildly sweet; reminds me of sticking my nose in an 80lb bag of Chocolate malt. Oh how do I love it!

Taste! It's taste is also chocolatey, a little sweetness, and hops are very noticeable. It finishes with a nice bitterness but not too much that it over powers the sweetness.

Mouth feel is very smooth and silky, not overly carbonated.

Overall I love it! this is what I consider a "World Class" Oatmeal Stout... way to represent Anderson Valley!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 05:38:39 | More by HairyHopopotamus

4.9/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The perfect stout. It pours black with a tan head.

The aroma is very malty, not as roasty as many oatmeal stouts. very little hop aroma.

The taste is an enigma. It is heavy yet light, dark and deep but not too much chocolate or roasted flavors. There is little hop bitterness, which must be tough for the brewers at Anderson based on the other beers they make.

Mouthfeel is amazing. The beer is thick and strong, yet not in the slightest cloying and almost feels light compared to the complex, strong flavors.

Drinkability is exceptional. It is not an overpowering, cloying stou, so having a couple is not a problem.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2009 21:49:45 | More by

Meliorist

Oklahoma

4.88/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Excuse my short review.

I cannot say anymore that hasn't already been said about this beer. I was a Samuel Smith (Tadcaster) Oatmeal Stout fan before I tasted this.

If you like Oatmeal Stouts, buy this, you will NOT regret it. A clerk at Pancho's Liquor Town in OKC turned me onto this and I cannot let it go....an excellent stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 17:27:10 | More by Meliorist

jonnylieberman

California

4.85/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Yeah, this is an all-timer. Pour it in a cognac glass to get the full effect My beer is bigger than your beer type of bragging rights. The oats! Roasted oats are yum-yum good. Big warm fuzzy beer that you just want to curl up with. The smell alone will drive 'em crazy. Always reliable, always on, always a joy to drink. And I don't even really like stouts...

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2001 17:30:39 | More by jonnylieberman

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Another jet fuel black in color beer but the head is creamy with a mocha like color.

S - I get some roasted malt, oat-like grain, and sweet chocolate.

T - Ow wow I can detect little bitter from the roasted malt. Semi-aggressive oat malt with a sweet not bitter chocolate taste. Very smooth.

M - Drinks like velvet gold. Medium but I had no trouble finishing my glass.

D - Wow the only other oat stout that I had that was this enjoyable was Samuel smiths and this one seems more balanced and creamy. I would suggest a six pack if you can find it considering how great it is I would have at least a few a sitting. Solid brew!

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 21:46:31 | More by DrDemento456

WYVYRN527

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass from a 12 ounce bottle.

A: Pours black with a thin eggshell head that settles slowly. Almost no light shines through this beer. Lacing is sticky, and coats the glass.

S: Roasted malt, coffee and some chocolate are the primary aromas in this beer. Some floral hop aromas linger in the backround.

T: Flavors consist of roasted malt, bitter chocolate, and espresso up front, with hops lending a dry, somewhat floral finish. Much like the smell, but much more intense. Slightly sweet, yet very balanced.

Notes: Wow! It's been a long time since I had this beer. One of the best oatmeal stouts I have ever tried. Full-bodied, complex, and at the same time very drinkable. A session stout if I ever had one. I'm blown away by it.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2011 05:09:51 | More by WYVYRN527

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.85/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I wrote a review for this years ago and it's disappeared. It was one of my first high end oatmeal stouts and set the standard. Served at a good temperature and I poured a small to medium sized tan head that settled to a light cover that lasted all the way down and some lace. Color is an opaque black brown. Aroma is malt, roast, cocoa, hint vanilla. Flavor's like nose with just right carbonic tang and some bitterness that all balance just right. Body is full and carbonation is exactly right. Finish is like flavor that slowly taper over a while. World class beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 05:50:59 | More by drpimento

ShaneBasye

California

4.84/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

The Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is one of my favorites. The first time I had it I was at the Bigfoot West bar in Culver City, CA. It was on tap. Everything seemed to be just right. The aroma, taste, mouth feel. It was a close to perfect Oatmeal Stout.

Taste: Rich, sweet with a proper amount of bitterness. The after taste brings out all the cocoa and chocolate flavors. Perfectly crafted!

Aroma: Strong, nutty, cocoa.

I recommend this stout for those who aren't too familiar with dark stout beer

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 23:15:44 | More by ShaneBasye

pwoody11

Delaware

4.83/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a pitch black with a huge light brown head.

Aroma was of roasted chocolate malt and just a hint of hop.

Taste was mostly the roasted chocolate. It had almost a sweet caramel taste to it. Coffee is there and also some vanilla.

This was a little thinner then most other stouts I have enjoyed. I'd say a medium body. I must say, I was really surprised with how impressed I was with this beer. I had never heard of it and after the first sip I was joyed. I was happy to find out when I checked out the reviews I wasn't the only one. I like this better than Samuel Smiths version of the oatmeal stout.

With a low abv, this is perfect to enjoy after dinner with dessert and since it isn't as thick as most stouts, you don't have to save room to fit it all in :)

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2010 03:04:32 | More by pwoody11

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Deep dark basically opaque color with a big frothing tan head. Aroma has dark chocolate notes, soft oatmeal grains, hints of fresh baked cookie dough and a hint of astringent coffee. Flavor is grade A, possibly the best hands down oatmeal stout in the country, rich balanced semi sweet dark chocolate, hints of coffee from the dark roasted malts. Nice grains, herbal hops blanced things out, a hint of herbal mint things are cohesively tasting great in this glass. Mouthfeel has a creamy smooth texture, with big medium to full body with even smooth carbonation levels. Drinkability overall kicks ass, instant classic in a can as fresh as it gets, one can costs $1.79 find me a case, this is excellent stuff.

Serving type: can

03-11-2012 17:23:06 | More by WVbeergeek

AaronRed

New York

4.8/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of the great Oatmeal Stouts. Sweet, yet doesn't fade.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2001 09:56:50 | More by AaronRed

SteveO1231

Connecticut

4.8/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Finally found it, so I grabbed a 22oz. Bomber.

Poured pure black into my glass, had a thick brown foamy head.

I could smell the roasted malts, tons of chocolate, caramel and coffee.

Milky smooth, almost chewy texture. I tasted lots of chcolate and caramel. Nice bitter espresso like finish. Very balanced and highly drinkable. I'm gonna go back and get another.

Awesome oatmeal stout!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2005 02:41:34 | More by SteveO1231

Beernoisseur

Utah

4.8/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into my trusty Spiegelau oversized snifter.

Dark, espresso with a cappuccino head that retains forever. I don't expect a great deal of lacing in my snifter. The smell is clean and simple. The warm graininess of the oats is present, along with coffee and chocolate elements. Also, hops.

The flavor is just plain wonderful. Toastiness that you like to see in a stout, but slightly understated and subtle. Everything is right where it should be. The hops, malt sweetness, and body all compliment one another, and none of them vie for attention. Light coffee flavors, with hints of chocolate and toasted grains are all gently reigned in with a slightly tart, slightly bitter hops. Absolutely delicious.

Mouthfeel is medium to heavy bodied. Very good. I could drink these like crazy.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2009 03:58:46 | More by Beernoisseur

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.8/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A 330 mL bottle at Uli's Restaurant in White Rock, BC.

A - As dark as brown can be without being considered black, 1/2" tan coloured head that disappeared quickly.

S - Maltly sweetness and some coffee.

T - Some malt but not much. Maybe a slight touch of coffee and dark chocolate. Extremely balanced and not overpowering.

M - Medium to heavy thickness and medium to low carbonation. Feels excellent on the tongue.

O - The best stout I have ever had. So well balanced it doesn't even seem like a stout, and is the type of beer that people who find other stouts too strong could easily get into. World class.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 04:57:24 | More by DaftCaskBC

axisjones

California

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Toronado (many, many times)

Served in a tall AV mug, Barney Flats pours espresso black with a milk chocolate brown head. Laces all the way down and maintains a bit of head until the finish.

The smell is exceptional. I love the smell of oatmeal stout, but this one is above average. Rich oatmeal smells with coffee and a wet smokiness invade the nose, but the hop presence makes itself known as well.

The taste is bittersweet. There is a great play going on here between the strong roasted bitterness and the hop bitterness. On the malt side there is a strong espresso bitterness with dark chocolate notes all over a bowl of oatmeal. On the other side, Barney Flats has a much stronger hop profile than most oat stouts. Its west coast heritage is in effect with the bittering hops which add a spicy floral quality. Goes down rich and indulgent and finishes dry.

This is the best oatmeal stout I have had, and I have had quite a few. While this is not as smooth as many, it has such a pronounced flavor while still maintaining the silky smoothness indicative of the style. For a hophead this is also a satisfying oat stout. Killer beer, I can session these all night long and feel decadent as hell.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2005 21:34:30 | More by axisjones

ZAP

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

And another re-rate in 2005-

What an awesome aroma to this...sweet, roasty..nutty (hazelnuts) and a bit of vanilla...THE best smelling stout I have had...

This is damn near a 5.0 in my book for the style....taste is real close to a 5.0 but I'll leave it at 4.5...Perhaps my favorite stout of all-time....what a drinker...great flavors that mimick the nose...creamy texture...lbody is on the lighter side of medium....great, great stuff...
---
Re-rate 2003 I think this was one of my first reviews on this site...let me add a little more...this is an excellent Oatmeal stout..has a bit of an espresso taste to it but also a nice sweet stout flavor....I had it a 5.0 and am lowering it slightly..
---
-Perfect Oatmeal stout...thick, rich, creamy and sweet...a unique taste I can't identify(maybe the oats?)

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2005 05:27:03 | More by ZAP

froggyfrog

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A pitch-black bitch on a cold winter's night, this gold medal winner was just what I was looking for tonight. For some reason I have never reviewed this beer even though it's one of my favorites. I've got one now, so here we go...

Dark as night with a shallow mocha head. The nose on this one is enough to make your eyes roll back in your head. The aroma is that of the perfect mixture of pale, toasted and caramel malt. It is truly like no other beer I have experienced. Like a milk chocolate toffee bar formed around sweet caramel malt husks.

The flavors continue the almost erotic imagery from the nose but swirl in a heavenly roastiness, like perfectly French-roasted and pressed coffee beans, only better. This beer is everything it should be with an emphasis on the toasty caramel malt sweetness. Medium-bodied for a stout, the high kiln roasts provide just enough fullness on the tongue.

Brown sugar sweet with a chewy oatmeal presence, this may well be the best sweet stout beer on the planet. How's that for a review? I dig it. If you haven't had this beer yet, stop reading this immediately and go get some. 'Nuff said.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2006 04:45:47 | More by froggyfrog

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I can see why this won a Gold medal.

Excellent ruby-black body with a decent foamy tan head. Creamy roasted malt smell with hints of oats, coffee and chocolate.

Taste is equally good, but a bit on the bittersweet side. Chocolate, malts, coffee and faint vanilla hints. Very smooth and creamy, and surprisingly, a very faint alcohol hint. Very slight diacetyl flavour.

Silky smooth stout - what I would expect from an oatmeal stout. An amazing stout, very sessionable. This is almost like a more refined version of Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2008 06:40:46 | More by BDTyre

bubseymour

Maryland

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance - nice pale head and nice black beer

Smell- chocolatey and malty but somewhat average for the style

Taste - Absolutely increadible taste!!!! A superb stout!! So well balanced in all areas, so smooth, so rich, so easy to drink yet not watery.

Mouthfeel - Nearly perfect buttery, full bodied flavor.

Overall - Definitely the best oatmeal stout and perhaps the best stout of any kind I've sampled to date.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 00:17:21 | More by bubseymour

Falcynn

California

4.78/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Dark brown, almost black body, with a two finger wide tan head that retains well and leaves a very nice lacing.

S: Chocolate, malty, with some coffee in the background.

T: This stout is so smooth. I have to restrain myself from just chugging the whole thing down. Amazing roasted malty flavor with some sweet chocolatey notes. There's some hops if you go searching for it. This is probably the first stout I've had that I think would be great on a hot summer day.

M: Like I said earlier, this goes down smooth and it also finishes clean. I think I might've preferred just a bit more carbonation, but that's about it.

O: I've had plenty of stouts before, and I'm honestly not too fond of the style. However, a friend of mine told me to give oatmeal stouts a try, and if this beer is a good example of the style, then I'll definitely be on the lookout for more. Definitely a very sessionable beer, if you're looking for complexity, then you might want to look elsewhere, but if you just want some malt/chocolatey goodness, then this is your beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 16:03:12 | More by Falcynn