St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout - McAuslan Brewing

n2185

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours black with a finger of tan head that fades to a thin ring with little lacing.

S: Roasted malts with sweet chocolate notes as well as some aromas of dark fruits and slight bubblegum.

T: Similar to the aroma, roasted malts up front with semi-sweet chocolate and dark fruit notes following. There are some licorice and diacetyl flavors on the finish.

M: Medium-thick body with medium carbonation, this beer is carbonated enough that it avoids being watery, though not as creamy as I'd expect from an oatmeal stout. Quite drinkable, though.

O: A solid oatmeal stout, overall. Nice, flavorful, and not too watery like many low abv stouts. The diacetyl flavor is a bit off-putting, though.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 01:01:27 | More by n2185

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

341 ml bottle from the LCBO; best before May 13 2014. I haven't had an oatmeal stout in a long time, and as a result of this deprivation it was starting to feel like these six-packs were calling my name when I walked by them. I guess I could also just have schizophrenia.

Pours black as night, topped with one finger of dense, creamy, beige-coloured head. Great retention, with lots of lacing left behind when it finally subsides. Pleasant aroma with lots of roasted malts, molasses, coffee and honey-oatmeal mush. Maybe a hint of smoke or charcoal, but I might be stretching it here - either way, it smells pretty good.

Definitely a yummy stout. The flavour is dominated by roasted malts, molasses, milk chocolate and oats, with perhaps a hint of coffee grinds. The hops come forward later - mostly earthy, and mingling with some dark chocolate. Dry aftertaste with a burnt, slightly smoky feel to it. Medium-bodied, with mild carbonation and an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel.

Really tasty stuff - I don't know if I'd put it ahead of Samuel Smith's equivalent, but in terms of quality it's definitely in that ballpark (high praise indeed!). The low abv, delicious flavour and the fact that it is pretty easy to find around here make this a great option for anyone seeking out a sessionable stout.

Final Grade: 4.28, on the high side of an A minus grade. I've put off trying this stuff for a long time, but having finally sampled it, it's pretty easy to see how it embedded itself into Canada's Top 100 list. St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout is one of the most drinkable, well-crafted Canadian stouts I have ever had, and any fan of sessionable dark beers would be doing themselves a disservice by avoiding this. Not sure if it's worth seeking out, but it's certainly worth a try, and something I will undoubtedly get again.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 06:18:02 | More by thehyperduck

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

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

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, best before May 31, 2014.

Appearance: Pours like brown motor oil with a mocha colored, bubbly head. It never really completely disappears and leaves thick wisps of lacing.

Smell: Oatmeal, charcoal, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate mixed with milk chocolate and some coffee grains.

Taste: Mix of light charcoal, oats, raw coffee, bitter chocolate and strong roasted notes. A bit watery at first, like cold coffee, but holds its own after.

Mouthfeel: Initially feels smooth but has a long lingering finish. The body is medium.

Overall: Packs the flavor @ 5% and while less intense than i remember, still a great quality stout at an affordable price and that is widely available.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 11:51:43 | More by papat444

brystmar

New York

3.18/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Another beautiful beer! Tons of brown head and lace. Roast and sweetness in the nose, but there's a faint trace of spoiled milk at the end that is off-setting.

Taste is bland and unoffensive. Nothing special here, and the roasted malt isn't particularly great either. I've had many better straight-up oatmeal stouts.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 01:30:09 | More by brystmar

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another of my local trader, tone77's, many bottled beers. My thanks for keeping me on track!

My pour produced a finger of dense, deep-tan head with good retention. Color was a deep, dark brown that allowed ZERO light penetration. Nose was fairly sweet, perhaps milk chocolate. Mouthfeel was creamy and the taste was like coffee with cream. This was more like a scoop of coffee ice cream or a mocha shake than a beer. Finish was smooth and sweet. A very nice beer and thanks again for the hookup!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 23:51:03 | More by woodychandler

Danny1217

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark, but the light still shines through, giving it a brownish color. A big one and a half finger tan head. Good retention and lacing. Smells of coffee and roasted malts. A little smokey. Tastes of bitter coffee and chocolate. Some oats. Pretty roasty. A dry smokey finish. Creamy mouthfeel. Above medium bodied and somewhat low carbonation.

A very good oatmeal stout. One of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 04:34:06 | More by Danny1217

womencantsail

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark brown in color with an off-white head. Roasted malt with a touch of cocoa and some coffee, maybe a little bit of smoke, too. The flavor is somewhat smokey as well with quite a bit of roasted malt and coffee. Just a little bit of cocoa/chocolate sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 22:26:08 | More by womencantsail

sethmeister

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fully opaque black with a very dark head - nearly brown! - which leaves patches of fluffy lace on the sides of the glass.

Scent is charred, roasty, bitter. Coffee. Cocoa powder. Black licorice.

Taste is bitter / semisweet chocolate, coffee and burnt charred breadcrust. Cocoa powder. Just enough molasses sweetness to rein in the bitter and burnt flavors. A hint of peat smoke, intriguingly. I think I detect a vague leafy hop note in the finish.

Mouth is soft and creamy.

Drinkability is excellent.

Can't believe I've never had this before. This is a fantastic oatmeal stout and at 5% it is sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 01:09:23 | More by sethmeister

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Jet black in colour, nearly two fingers of tan head, nice retention with lots of thick lace on the glass. Smell is roasted and chocolatey, a bit of coffee, lots of mil chocolate here and a bit of smoke as well. Taste follows the nose and is nice and roasty with milk chocolate, light sweetness, good bitterness and coffee flavours, roast and smoke in finish and aftertaste. Smooth feel, light-med carbonation, creamy and medium bodied. This was finished quite quickly and something I have enjoyed every time I have had, solid, consistent and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 14:56:17 | More by peensteen

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

St.Ambroise "Oatmeal Stout" @ 5.0% served from a 6pack a 340ml bottle warmed from the cellar
A-pours almost black/brown with a small cola brown head which slowly dissapates leaving some fine lacing on the pint glass
S-espresso/coffee , hints of chocolate
T-good malty taste , some smokyness thru out , bit of a strong dry espresso finish
MF-crisp medium to full bodied
Ov-a very drinkable oatmeal stout

cheers LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 03:35:26 | More by LampertLand

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

No date

A: Thick head with excellent retention and nice lacing.

S: Milk chocolate, vanilla and roastiness.

T: Some sweet milk chocolate, but much less than on the nose. Prominent char and herbal hop bitterness. Some roastiness with just the faintest hint of soy sauce on the finish.

M: nice and full with moderate carbonation.

O: The charred bitterness hurts drinkability somewhat, but it's a very tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 00:39:58 | More by greybeardloon

AtrumAnimus

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout starts off with an impressive pour. Being that first impressions are “everything” and I thus far a happy camper. The pour is black as molasses and brings forth a super thick, rich and creamy head that starts off as dark brown and fades to tan as it settles leaving a creamy residual head about ¾ inches this and very rich lacing down the glass. This one is all most too pretty to drink.

That will not deter me. The nose is not as strong as I had expected. Some hints of smoke and definitely a coffee tinge to it. I also detect French bread, sweet malt and spice. Sort of a spice that makes me think of coriander or nutmeg.

The flavor is a high contrast between malt, Hops and smoked malt. The flavors are very nicely balanced and do not battle for dominance. There is a very present sweetness and fruity bed to the taste that quickly gives way to the hops and then allows the undertones of dark chocolate, vanilla, bready yeast all coated with a nice smoky flavor.

The mouthfeel is rich and textured without being ultra-heavy like a lot of stouts.

Overall this is quite the quaffable beer and an excellent example of an oatmeal stout with an extra hoppiness. This is a hop heads Stout, so enjoy it, I am.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 00:39:44 | More by AtrumAnimus

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance:
The beer pours a nice somewhat lasting tan head with some lacing. The beer itself is a black dark chocolate.

Smell:
The dominant smell is a dark chocolate with roasted malts and cocoa.

Taste:
The beer has notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, and lightly roasted malts. The beer has a slightly bitter aftertaste with a tiny bit of hops.

Mouthfeel:
Medium bodied with a smooth feel and light carbonation.

Overall:
A pretty good otmeal stout and definitely up with the best of them. I found it enjoyable during the winter months.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 14:38:35 | More by HattedClassic

match1112

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: black as nite with a two finger brown head. plenty of lacing and retention to make me happy.

s: burnt coffee and over cooked oatmeal cookies.

t: more overly done coffee, but not as burnt tasting as it smells. more oats and chocolate.

m: full body with good carbonation but the burnt bitterness thru out kind of knocks down the score for me.

o: if it werent so burnt tasting it would be soo much better. will try another bottle in the future to see if my opinion changes.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 17:48:05 | More by match1112

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

341ml bottle at Bushwakker's.

Dark black and almost opaque. Just a hint of ruby red at the edges when held to the light. Dark brown chocolate head is foamy and 1 inch high. Nice lacing throughout.

Aroma of roasted malts, almost burnt. Slightly sweet. Kind of like burnt chocolate chip cookies.

Taste is very burnt. Way too burnt and not sweet or smooth enough. Lacking in almost every way of each oatmeal stout I've ever had. Go to your toaster, burn the crap outta your toast then liquify and drink. Or try to drink a charcoal brickette. My wife (who isn't a beer drinker) tried a sip and said, "It's scoring the center of my tongue." Not a pleasant experience.

Full bodied mouthfeel.

A friend of mine said it looks like oil after an oil change. Tastes just completely burnt. Way too overpowering. Unpleasant.

April 28, 2012

Decided to re-review this beer after a number of years since it consistently gets good reviews yet I didn't like it when I first tried it. Let's give it another go.

Brown bottle with twist off cap poured in a pint glass.

Obsidian black let's absolutely no light through. Brown foamy head is one inch on the pour and leaves nice lacing.

Aroma is burnt, dark roast coffee, malty.

Burnt malty profile off the start. Bitter chocolate and dark roast coffee.

Medium bodied, but a little thin for a stout. Not much carbonation as expected.

Not as creamy as you would think for an oatmeal stout. An ok offering but not a stand out

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 03:42:57 | More by Noxious26

themind

New Jersey

3.15/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer gets excellent ratings but is just not my cup of tea. Pours a nice head and the smell is good. The problem I have with this beer is its very smokey! I was surprised at how smokey!! that said it's still a good brew worth giving a try.

Bottom Line: Not my cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 22:08:11 | More by themind

shemberger

New York

4.58/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had it at Cest What on Front Street in Toronto, great bar, great selection.

I'd rank it up there with Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout or Founders Breakfast Stout.

Also great in a bottle.

It looks like a stout should in a pint glass, dark almost black with a thick off white head.

A total sensory delight, I must admit I was surprised and tried it on a lark but I am a convert.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2012 19:10:06 | More by shemberger

HotHands

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass.

A - pours a jet-black with a nice tan head. Leaves some nice lacing.

S - Roasted coffee and cocoa notes are present here, standard for stouts. Good.

T - Follows the nose with coffee and cocoa, fairly bitter throughout without much sweetness. A bit of ale-like fruitiness at the end from the yeast. This is the first beer I have had from this brewery and I would be interested to see if their others use the same yeast strain.

M - The finish has a coating effect, carbonation is slightly high for a stout.

Overall - a fairly solid effort. It was good but it needed perhaps a bit more balance (maybe some sweetness) to really wow me. I will commend them for packing in a lot of flavor in to a 5% stout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 02:11:30 | More by HotHands

9InchNails

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Morris Tap and Grill

Dark beer, not much of a head - it could be how the bar tender poured it, nor is there any lacing.

Brown sugar, butterscotch, caramel, coffee and chocolate.

Dark fruits, dark chocolate, burnt coffee, toast, caramel, smoked oats and some alcohol at the very end.

Light and watery for a oatmeal stout. Dry feeling. It doesn't leave the lips sticky and no alcohol warmth.

Overall, some things are nice and somethings are not that great with this oatmeal stout. The body falls flat. For the aroma and taste, its nice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 19:49:26 | More by 9InchNails

UDbeernut

New York

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

bottle courtesy of coldbrewky pours a jet black hue with tan on the edges, capped by a tan head with great retention. hint of roast in the nose. Roast, light bittering chocolate, toffee all add to a complex taste. Mouth is light and super creamy. Amazing.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 19:52:05 | More by UDbeernut

MONKandTUCK

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Rich foamy head hold its place to the final sip, covering an opaque pitch-black body. Luscious.

A - Coffee, some cocao. Predictable.

T - It's not exceptional but it's very good.
+: Roasty in a rustic traditional way, some Stout I've had have become soft to appeal to a wider palette.

-: Too one-dimensional, the flavor is good but I have had more interesting Stouts/Porters; beyond one, this beer could become very ashy.

M - It's hard to believe this beer is only 5%, it's velvety and full-bodied. It's nice to have a beer that's not sweet or chewy, but satisfies quickly.

O - I probably could;ve given more credit to the taste, but I feel I do beers and fellow beer advocates a service when I am picky. This beer is definitely worth a shot, and a nice change up from BOTH Guinness Draught/Extra Stout, and a lot of the micro brew Stouts which have restrained the roast profile far too much.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 14:47:42 | More by MONKandTUCK

gustogasmic

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- a reddish tan 1" head dissipates slowly on top of black-red-olive beer. No translucency.

S- Dark fruit-plum and grape, dates. Not sweet, but nice and fruity.

T- Light roast with all the dark fruits. A little creaminess in the finish.

M- Goes down very easily. A sip hits the tip of the tongue with flavor and moves back as tasty froth, but awkwardly. Not a smooth transition between the two.

O- sessionable stout. Wonderful amount of hops for a black beer, without sacrificing the roastiness. Not too sweet at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 08:05:13 | More by gustogasmic

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 11.5 oz. bottle. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of oats and malts. Taste is malts, smoke, chocolate, a touch of oats and coffee, lots of complexity yet somehow feels off just a bit. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 15:00:12 | More by tone77

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black. Half finger light brown medium head, dissipates quickly, leaving a thin film and lacing. Aroma of toasted malt and molasses. Flavor is toasted and pleasant almost burnt malts, hints of coffee and chocolate. Light presence of dark fruits. Somewhat dry finish with toasted malt and a light bitterness. Body is light to medium. A pleasant stout that tastes more like a export than a oatmeal stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 04:34:45 | More by LiquidAmber

divineaudio

Michigan

3.03/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

poured into a nonic.

a - pours an opaque dark brown, not quite black. gave me only a thin film of light brown head but leaves a few legs of lacing in the glass.

s - wet paper, faint roast, faint cola, faint dark fruits.

t - weaker roasted malt that reminds me of day old restaurant coffee. faint chocolate and dark fruity notes. has an odd tanginess in the finish that i can't place.

m - full bodied with lighter carbonation. kinda sticky. not nearly as smooth as it should be.

o - not bad, just meh. maybe i got a bad bottle? might have to give this one more chance before signing off completely. will update if anything changes.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 04:59:12 | More by divineaudio