Oatmeal Stout - Mendocino Brewing Company

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a tulip shaped pint glass. Thanks are owed to SDDanC for this extra in our recent trade. Thanks man! The brew pours black in color with a finger of brown froth sitting atop. The cap slowly fades leaving some patches of lacing effect sticking to the glass. Around the edges, some lighter brown to ruby coloring is seen with a bit of clarity. A light swirl revives about a half finger of froth back to the surface.

The aroma is very pleasant with a fresh kilned grain quality. Nice and roasty with a hint of baker's chocolate, espresso and earth. The more I smell this, the more a bit of fresh grainy quality emerges from this that I can only assume to be the oats that mixes with the minor chocolate quality and really formulates a nice compilation to the aromatics. Well done.

The taste starts off with a similarity to the nose. Bitter roasted grain emerge first blending into a bit of mineral quality and some sulfites. A light fruity alcohol ester before going back to a burnt flavor of grain. Whereas the aroma almost had a sweet milk chocolate aspect to it, the flavor here is instead more like bitter cacao. It has a bit of an earthen aspect that while enjoyable in it's own right, does not live up to the expectations let on by the aromatics.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. The alcohol is well integrated. I have a couple gripes about this brew. The first being the mineral quality present in the flavor profile was not that enjoyable mixed with a hint of sulfite. The other gripe I have is in the body of this brew, it is lacking just a bit and seems lighter than it should for being advertised as an oatmeal stout. I would have liked to seen a bit more fuller or smoother body from the oats. Otherwise this was a pretty good brew. The nose on this brew is an absolute beast, I would get it again just to smell it it is that good.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 03:24:17 | More by stakem

drgonzo2k2

California

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%

05-17-2013 14:01:27 | More by drgonzo2k2

ElijahRivera

New York

3.89/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Picked up a six pack of this seasonal for only $3.99(leftover seasonal stock) at Oliver's in Albany, NY.

A-Solid black opaque. The head is thick, creamy, and almost milk chocolate in color.

S-Sweet roasted grains, some cocoa, and some coffee. Everything that you would expect and want to be there.

T-The taste starts with the sweet caramel malts, and almost buttery smooth oatmeal flavors. Then the bitter roasted malts come in, and it finishes nicely with cocoa and coffee flavors.

M-Medium to full body with appropriate carbonation.

O-A really decent oatmeal stout with the full range of rich flavors that you want from the style. It seems to be well balanced, and is really hitting the spot during this chilly Spring night after a long day in the sun. I have nothing bad to say about this beer; and, at a price like that, how could I complain?

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 02:00:31 | More by ElijahRivera

Tiny_Tim

New York

4/5  rDev +7.8%

05-01-2013 06:08:13 | More by Tiny_Tim

mychalg9

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.8%

04-06-2013 04:15:31 | More by mychalg9

Dave_Treat

Virginia

2.75/5  rDev -25.9%

03-26-2013 00:17:01 | More by Dave_Treat

mendvicdog

Maryland

4/5  rDev +7.8%

03-25-2013 12:58:40 | More by mendvicdog

captainhowdy39

New York

4/5  rDev +7.8%

03-21-2013 20:04:31 | More by captainhowdy39

dubmax

Kansas

4/5  rDev +7.8%

03-16-2013 15:34:57 | More by dubmax

BRD14

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.8%

03-14-2013 01:37:32 | More by BRD14

Jlang2012

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +14.6%

03-09-2013 02:29:21 | More by Jlang2012

freedomlinux

New York

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%

02-25-2013 18:56:43 | More by freedomlinux

Guinnsslvr

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.8%

02-20-2013 03:12:05 | More by Guinnsslvr

TonyY

New York

3/5  rDev -19.1%

02-18-2013 19:19:40 | More by TonyY

vipguy814

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -25.9%

02-07-2013 19:55:52 | More by vipguy814

silverking

Florida

4.34/5  rDev +17%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

It pours almost black, but in reality it is a very dark brown. It sports a mocha head with moderate retention and excellent lacing that cascades slowly down teh sides of the glass. The aroma carries hints of smoke and dark chocolate. Lots of burnt malt detectable. The taste follows suit. Slight smokiness with a lot of grain. bitter chocolate in teh finish with a slightly sour aspect. the mouthfeel is a little light, but the carbonation follows suit nicely. Very nice beer. hearty, yet surprisingly mellow.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 21:50:46 | More by silverking

olbubba

Florida

4/5  rDev +7.8%

02-01-2013 23:57:53 | More by olbubba

Caskaway

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%

02-01-2013 02:40:22 | More by Caskaway

mtkennyp

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%

01-28-2013 22:51:12 | More by mtkennyp

Peyton5410

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.8%

01-27-2013 02:45:21 | More by Peyton5410

440kk

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -12.4%

01-23-2013 03:45:16 | More by 440kk

agreenman19

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +21.3%

01-22-2013 21:49:30 | More by agreenman19

fivetime

Idaho

4.25/5  rDev +14.6%

01-22-2013 00:52:53 | More by fivetime

cvalleskey

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%

01-20-2013 23:56:13 | More by cvalleskey

stanale

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.8%

01-20-2013 05:04:48 | More by stanale