Oatmeal Stout - Mendocino Brewing Company

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

dark brown in color with a big had of tan that came up and over the top. Nice retention and great lacing up and down the sides of the glass.

Roasted malts, sweet with molasses and hints of brown sugar. mellow and a touch hoppier then I would have thought. Very nice chocolate notes here, really laid down quite well. Hints of molasses again and a decent touch of vanilla poking its head up. The finish comes through with a light bitterness and a touch of dark fruit.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 18:48:05 | More by mikesgroove

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque black with a 1/2 inch foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on the top of the beer. Thin foamy rings of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, toasted oats, and some coffee/cocoa aromas. Taste is of dark roasted malt, toasted oats, and coffee beans. There is a nice roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a higher level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. A bit thin for a stout in my opinion. Overall, this is a good oatmeal stout that is quite tasty and easy to drink. One of the better offerings from Mendocino.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 02:23:06 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A huge smokey chocolate character is the alpha and omega in this beer- it chases the flavor profile from the first sip until the final quaff with a masculine and powerful demeanor.

Pouring an onyx-black color and sheen, the beer carries a very dark brown color or even black; dark enough to not be able to know whether it has a haze or not. A creamy, lightly tanned foam forms a dense head that reduces to a sheet and lace about the rim before steadying. Moderate pockets of lace cling to the glass.

Densely packed aromas of chocolate, smoke, French roast coffee, caramel, vanilla, and roast all hit the olfactories with a rich intensity and leaving a tawny malt scent on the nose that continue to deliver a multitude of Stout characteristics with each whiff.

Malty sweet flavors of burnt molasses, deeply roasted coffees, cocoa-chocolate blends, walnuts, charred woods, and light milky flavors all far exceed the rebuttal from hops. Only a woody and lightly grassy flavor after mid palate round out the sweeter components with earthy and spicy bite and bitterness. Light lactic sourness gives the impression of coffee sourness that blends with coffee bitterness much the same. Delicously flavored and with the slight vinous/grain character that reveals flaws but deliver complexity in the same move.

Medium-full in texture, the oatmeal additions finally make their mark with a creamy, milky feel but seemingly chase the carbonation out of the beer, thus reducing creaminess to a silky and oily texture, if not slightly thin in an odd and grainy kind of way. Finishing succulently malty and with a long linger of roast, chocolate, and minty cooling in alcohol.

Overall a very good Oatmeal Stout with pronounced alcohol and a straight laced Stout profile of roast, chocolate, malt, and supportive hops. A good switch up from that Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 05:25:30 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured jet black,no highlights even when held to the light,fluffy mocha colored head atop that settled pretty slowly leaving no lace behind.At first the aromas were somewhat muted but after a minute sitting in the glass some nice cocoa,earth,and vanilla note showed themselves nicely.Low carbonation feel giving the beer an almost creamy feel wich was real nice.Mellow roasted flavors along with cocoa powder,a tinge of dark fruit,and a milk stout-like lactose sweetness in the finish.A solid oatmeal stout here,I was pleasantly surprised I have to say.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 20:36:11 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tumbler.

Had a bit of a mini tasting today with some Mendocino beers. This first one pours a bleak black-brown topped by a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, buttery toffee, toasted wheat, and a kiss of cocoa. The taste brings in more of the same, with a touch more cocoa and buttery biscuit than before. Thankfully, the roast never gets overdone, as happens on many occasions in the oatmeal stout world. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a smooth, creamy feel. Overall, a pretty nice oatmeal stout, one that doesn't amaze but pleases through and through.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 04:40:41 | More by TMoney2591

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to ericandersnavy for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a dark brown to black color with a tan head. The aroma is roasted malt with some chocolate. The flavor is chocolate, roasted malt, some smoke and some oats. Medium, creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

A very nice oatmeal stout and the best Mendocino beer I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2010 03:17:25 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured an opaque, jet black color. Looked thick. It has a very small, light brown head of foam left some lacing.

S - It smelled roasty with some coffee and chocolate notes. Nice.

T - Much more flavor than expected from a fairly muted nose. Very roasty with strong chocolate malt flavor. A touch of toffee with just enough bitterness for balance.

M - It was crisp and smooth. A medium bodied stout with a dry clean finish.

O - Surprisingly good after a fairly average aroma. I really liked the chocolate in this oatmeal stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 20:31:54 | More by zeff80

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours mahogany with a thumb of brown head. Good lacing & average head retention

S: Carob & raisins, leafy & minty hops

T: Follows the nose, dryness as well up front, a touch of cocoa powder & light leafy hops too. Chalky dryness, more raisins & just bit of baker's chocolate with leafy hoppyness. Finishes dry, with some, not much roastyness finally showing up to the party once warm, plus more leafy & minty hops

MF: Medium bodied, fairly smooth

An alright stout that's lacking enough classic oatmeal stout characteristic that it leaves me somewhat sad I bought a sixer

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 04:26:30 | More by russpowell

Gavage

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a black color with a one finger milk chocolate colored head that slowly falls to a spotty surface foam.

Smell: roasted malts and some oats are easy to detect. Some fruit sweetness lingers in the background.

Taste: roasted malt, oat, mild bitterness, raisins, a hint of molasses, and some dark brown sugar sweetness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp to start, smooth and a bit creamy at the finish.

Drinkability: easy quaffing stout. Nice roasted flavors keep it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 22:36:20 | More by Gavage

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark charcoal appearance, full thicket of tan head with fine even lacing. Aroma soft herbal notes with dark chocolate and some soft creaminess. Dark fruit undertones wrapped in chocolate. Flavor has a strong fruitiness, dark chocolate hints of cocoa soft vanilla cream finish. Mouthfeel, is creamy mouthfeel is medium bodied soft carbonation. Drinkability overall is pretty decent not my favorite oatmeal stout, solid experience one of the better Mendocino brews I've had in recent times.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 01:56:07 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Small bar-pour head, but it sticks around and leaves a near blanket of lace. Near black color where no lace penetrates (even on the edge of the glass).

Mildly burnt malt aromas; it's borderline toasty. Closer to Porter than Stout in the smell.

The flavor is more true to form--more burnt bitter malt. Like many stouts, this one is thin, perhaps thinner than most. Mild finish of over-roasted malt, but it lingers forever.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2012 18:14:04 | More by smcolw

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Good deep dark brown pour, tan head in the range of 1" on the top. Mild roast notes in the aroma, even some detectable hops believe it or not.

Good evenflow and balance, the oats allow the beer to be smooth, not bitter, but allow the mouthfeel to still be thick enough to not be described as watery. Not a real distinct chocolate or coffee mouthfeel to it, really just full of two row consistency. Which is fine, not everything needs to be all imperialed out or barrel aged, this is a nice somewhat sessionable stout.

Scored a 6 pack of this for $6.99 at Ledgers's Liquors about a year ago. Drank 5 of them in the last year. Still have one left, in the course of the year, each one tasted the same as the last, indicates its pretty sturdy, sure some beers can taste great in a small window of time, this one tastes good in a large window of time.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 19:10:45 | More by Beerandraiderfan

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

largadeer

California

2.73/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Dark brown, nearly black. A finger of tan foam rises from a gentle pour.

Aroma: Sharp roasted barley and fennel. Some earthy and herbal qualities, a bit of oatmeal cookie as it warms, and a hint of smoke. There's a bit of acidity from the roasted malt.

Taste & mouthfeel: Grainy and burnt up front, moderately acidic with a smoky undertone. Not particularly rich or sweet, this oatmeal stout is heavy on blackened malt and licorice flavors. Medium in body though quite dry, this could use more sweetness and less acrid roasted bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 01:58:17 | More by largadeer

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a black color and a thick texture. There was a half inch of tan-colored, creamy fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: Had a strong malty smell with traces of oatmeal as well.

T: Tasted of malt, chocolate, coffee, and oatmeal. A very solid, very balanced flavor. Not an overwhelming taste, but certainly well done.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a smooth, dry finish. Medium-bodied.

O: A solid, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 14:24:22 | More by avalon07

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz poured into a tasting glass chilled slightly

A deep brown with rocky tan head that has good retention and the bead is fine. The aroma is sweet with mild coffee accent but mild with caramel elements mainly. The feel is smooth and semi-sweet with a clean overall feel and finish is a bit more dry than the middle with moderate carbonation throughout.

The beer has a good amount of caramel malt flavor with slight cocoa elements and mild roasted flavor with a mildly sweet taste and toffee notes with a nice smooth malt and pretty light bitterness throughout . the oatmeal is a decent stout...it is neither bad nor good -basically drinkable for the style but not stellar

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 19:49:37 | More by Slatetank

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep dark black not much to say. Head was fairly good not perfect since it fizzes to a mild lace ring yet lacing is decent.

S - Fairly balanced stout showcasing the mild chocolate and balanced coffee you would expect. Stronger than Guinness which is great.

T - Very balanced milk chocolate and subtle roast flavors. Oats are nicely balanced and unlike the imperial stout this stout is balanced, sweet, and delicious.

M - Medium bodied, creamy and a delicious stout.

Overall worth picking up. Simple, complex, and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 04:01:16 | More by DrDemento456

flagmantho

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: rich dark brown hue with a thin layer of frothy tan foam atop. Great color, but head leaves something to be desired.

Smell: rich coffee and chocolate aroma with just a little bit of roasty malt sourness at the end. Quite nice.

Taste: a nicely balanced blend of coffee, chocolate and general roastiness. The end is a little bit bland, but I don't think it detracts too much from that initial great taste. I quite like it.

Mouthfeel: I would not have guessed from the head, but there is a lusciously creamy carbonation in this beer. Good stuff.

Overall: I'm pleasantly surprised by this beer. I wasn't expecting the world, but Mendocino has delivered a serviceable, indeed quite tasty, Oatmeal stout. I'd definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 04:58:53 | More by flagmantho

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a bottle at Northern Soul in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours an opaque black in color with some very subtle hints of dark brown and amber when held up to the light. The beer has a finger tall light tan head that slowly reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of roasted malts, milk chocolate, and coffee.

T: There is a light to moderate flavor of roasted malts with some light flavors of milk chocolate and coffee but very little bitterness or sweetness to the brew. Slightly lighter flavors of oats towards the finish.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy.

O: Very easy to drink and enjoyable with a very pleasant mouthfeel to go along with nice flavors and aromas. Well balanced. Glad I found this one (not on the menu) when I peeked into the fridge behind the bar.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 00:06:59 | More by dbrauneis

ngeunit1

California

3.85/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a very deep and dark black color with a nice two fingers of brownish (chocolate) colored head. The head has some nice retention and the and some nice lacing.

S - Smells heavily and malt aromas. Also a mixed in is heavy tones of dark chocolate. Very well balanced.

T - The taste starts with a mix of malts and oats. This is joined by some nice dark chocolate flavors throughout. Just a bit of hop tones which are nice. Aftertaste is a bit dry and full of chocolate flavor.

M - Fairly medium bodied. Pretty creamy and think, but still rather smooth. Just a touch of carbonation. Could use a bit more body.

D - Overall, good mix of flavors that stay well balanced and a smooth beer. Only minor complaint is it could be a bit heavier bodied overall. But, still a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 23:15:33 | More by ngeunit1

cjgator3

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle

A- Pours a dark black color with a tan head.

S-  The aroma is roasted malt and chocolate 

T- The taste like the aroma is roasted malts with some sweetness and bittersweet chocolate. The taste is really smooth like most oatmeal stouts. 

M- The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a nice smooth texture.

O- Overall, this is a solid oatmeal stout that is worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 02:55:20 | More by cjgator3

illidurit

California

2.98/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle from a winter beer mix pack. An unceremonious dumping into a pint glass produces a big cocoa-colored lather atop a black coffee body. Chocolate-covered coffee bean aroma with hints of sulfur and iron. Slight apple pie note and some phenols too. Flavor is old coffee and minerals, chocolate milk made with water instead of milk (I guess you'd call that chocolate water), charred coffee beans and a lingering metal note that recalls sucking on a penny. Unfortunately, this beer derives no full mouthfeel or silkiness from its use of oats, and so my tongue derives no satisfaction. About what I expected from Mendocino.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 00:22:26 | More by illidurit

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Out of a bottle this beer was an opaque brown, color with a short lived head of tan foam. The retention of the skim, however, was good and it laced beautifully. The aroma was dry, roasted malt, leather, hints of meat and a little wet soil. The flavors were a compilation of baking chocolate, light coffee, roasted barley, more leather and. The mouthfeel was rich, the body full and the carbonation average.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 04:15:22 | More by thekevlarkid

bashiba

Iowa

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a nice deep black with a thick and sticky tan head.

The smell has a lightly sweet cereal quality to it with a hint of smoke.

The flavor is a nice balance of sweet and chocolaty oatmeal with a underlying black smokey bitterness, very balanced session quality stout.

The mouthfeel is a bit light, but has nice carbonation.

Good easy drinking stout, Mendocino continues to make some of the best buys in the craft beer section.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 00:00:37 | More by bashiba

JamesS

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a nice deep dark brown with some nice initial head, but ended soon and no lacing to speak of. Nice sweet malty scent, slight roastiness, but nothing very deep and dark. Nice flavors, with a bit of roastiness and a nice bit of sweetness from the oats, but nothing huge and deep. Went down quite well, nice and creamy. Not the best I've had, but a good oatmeal stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 00:19:38 | More by JamesS