Oat (Imperial Oatmeal Stout) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

Dennoman

Belgium

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

One of the quintessential "budget big stouts". I've had a fair few stouts in my day, let's see how this beast stacks up.

2011 vintage bomber, poured into a pint glass (I was feeling decadent, sue me).

A: A dark ruby red, nearly black. Pours a hoppy and lively two-finger tan head that disappears fairly quickly into a fingernail ring around the top.

S: Hops on the forefront dominate the "stouty" smells. Some roasted malts and oats on the nose, carried by booze.

T: Dry biscuits which I'm guessing are the oats hit the tongue first, followed by hop bitterness and then coffee and some dark chocolate from the roasted malts. Leaves a dry biscuit finish with some hoppy punch.

M: I think almost everyone would agree this could be thicker and richer for the style, but considering its price range this isn't anywhere close to disappointing. Light carbonation enhances creaminess and overall drinkability. Lush, but not overly indulgent.

O: A very good big stout for those times when you don't have all that much cash to blow on the big leagues. No-nonsense and a fine example of the oatmeal stout style. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 19:51:54 | More by Dennoman

March_of_99

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-19-2013 21:13:57 | More by March_of_99

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

06-18-2013 23:19:10 | More by GinsuDave

vbiliyar

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

06-17-2013 14:15:19 | More by vbiliyar

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.14/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

like the other stouts in this little series from southern tier, this is a monster. it pours a frightening dense motor oil black, with little visible carbonation and just a thin film of tan. the darkness of this is insane. it smells oaty indeed, like a bowl of oatmeal, a little sweet, and really heavy from the roasted and burnt barley malt. the flavor is not as sweet as some of their others, but its got all the weighty feel and tastes. the malt is so dark, darker than ive seen really, and would probably be very bitter if it were not for the oats to sweeten it up and round it off. however, they also provide body, so the thickness of this is exacerbated into a freak of fermentable sugars. the alcohol that results is massive, and makes this a must share bottle of beer. it burns on the way down, but I still like the feel. its just so big, so dense and thick, but not stupidly sweet, its really a challenge to me. southern tier has got these huge stouts figured out, and this is the best of the lot really. I might have enjoyed the choklat more, but this is a special beer here, worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 15:14:53 | More by StonedTrippin

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

06-14-2013 21:32:49 | More by Kegatron

bdaggett

Vermont

4/5  rDev -2.7%

06-13-2013 22:52:03 | More by bdaggett

comfortablynirm

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

06-12-2013 14:10:33 | More by comfortablynirm

goblin7704

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-11-2013 22:19:38 | More by goblin7704

superspak

Michigan

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

22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 9/19/2012. Pours dense pitch black color with a small dense tan head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, oats, toast, toffee, coffee, cream, dark bread, floral, light nuttiness, light pine, and roasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of roasted and dark malt notes; with good strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, coffee, oats, roasted malt, toast, toffee, cream, light char, floral, dark bread, light pine, and roasted earthiness. Light coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark and milk chocolate, cocoa, coffee, toast, toffee, oats, light char, cream, and roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Fantastic balance and complexity of roasted and dark malt flavors; with big robustness and malt balance, with zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very creamy, slick, and lightly chalky mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic imperial stout! Big robustness and complexity of roasted and dark malt flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the gravity. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 04:23:25 | More by superspak

jarrgal

North Dakota

4/5  rDev -2.7%

06-10-2013 02:26:10 | More by jarrgal

jreindl

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

06-08-2013 14:25:52 | More by jreindl

bluckbeyes

Oregon

4/5  rDev -2.7%

06-06-2013 23:20:39 | More by bluckbeyes

JeffTheJuice

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

06-04-2013 12:28:53 | More by JeffTheJuice

Beric

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-01-2013 11:44:16 | More by Beric

Drucifer

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

06-01-2013 06:03:12 | More by Drucifer

riversider76

New York

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours the darkest of browns, with a thin lighter brown head. Decent retention, and a good lace effect. Aroma is of dark chocolate, and dark, fruity malts. Body is thick and rich with some carbonation. Taste is of oats and malted chocolate, with a dark bittersweet edge. Hints, of coffee, and dark fruit are there as well. Awesome!!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 00:21:53 | More by riversider76

Magery

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-31-2013 04:45:29 | More by Magery

Gonzoillini

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-30-2013 01:47:15 | More by Gonzoillini

MacQ32

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Pours near black with a caramel/chocolate colored head, ok retention, nearly completely dissipates after about 3 minutes, thin outer ring remains. pretty nice lacing, although it (mostly) eventually slides down the glass.

S - Semi-sweet chocolate, tons of oats, maybe a hint of molasses and caramelized malts. Slight roastyness and a hint of dates/dark fruit.

T - Lots of roasty chocolate, lots of dark fruit (prunes, dates, etc) and a pretty large wallop of alcohol burn. slightly mediciny

M - Definitely the most sipperish beer ive had in some time. Thick thick thick, minimally carbonated, very smooth.

O - As it warms the alcohol becomes more tame and the sweet and richer vanilla flavors come through - even more of a sipper but much better balances/flavors at room temperature. - Ratings reflect my room temperature impressions

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 02:50:24 | More by MacQ32

GuttaMane138

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-28-2013 09:03:26 | More by GuttaMane138

billbeers

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -27%

05-25-2013 04:32:37 | More by billbeers

dcloeren

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-22-2013 19:26:12 | More by dcloeren

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-22-2013 18:58:46 | More by ncstateplaya

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-22-2013 06:02:39 | More by hollywood_15063