Oat (Imperial Oatmeal Stout) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

Duhast500

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz. bottle into a stemmed glass.

The color is a complete black with no light getting through with a nice foamy brown head with some nice lacing.

The smell is pretty strong with oat presence and a pretty nice malty sweetness. Some hop flavor does come through on the second go around.

The taste is a sweet with a biscuit feel. There is some nice mixing of a bitter hop and a bit of a sweet maltyness that really comes across quite well.

The feel of this beer pretty easy drinking and has a medium body to it. This does have a bit of a kick but it an Imperial Oatmeal Stout. A really great beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2009 02:07:26 | More by Duhast500

claireoakhammer

New York

4.72/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

awesome brew! love southern tier, they make some of the best beers around as far as I'm concerned

a - thick black, little or no head

s - alcohol, chocolate, sweet raisin

t - gorgeously chocolatey, alcoholy with a sweetness that rises to the top of the palate in a smokey finish. balanced bitterness that clings a bit to the tongue

m - smooth with just the right amount of carbonation. full bodied

d - not something I would drink two in a row of, but definitely a great beer for a cold night

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2010 22:34:09 | More by claireoakhammer

RickS95

Indiana

4.73/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pitch black...an 8-ball in the glass. I'd give it a 5 but the head was pretty lame. Medium brown, but fleeting. No retention.

It actually smells sweet. You can almost smell the creamy oats. Very malty and rich.

Tastes fantastic. Malts galore, very roasty. Slight bittersweet chocolate and coffee.

Extremely creamy. Very rich. Medium bodied. Sweet, but not overly so. Bitter, but not overly so.

The best Southern Tier offering I've had. One of the best beers I've had. Tastes more like a porter, but a great stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 01:53:30 | More by RickS95

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.73/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very dark brown to black in Yeti snifter. Tan head that lingers longer than usual for this style.

Smell is toasted malt, chocolate, molasses, ripe fruit and a little coffee. Very inviting.

Taste follows the smell well. Lots of chocolate and sweet malt. Gets even sweeter as it warms. Molasses present and just a slight hint of bitterness in the finish. Very complex.

Mouthfeel is slick and oily. Very smooth.

Overall this was absolutely superb! Wish I had bought a case of these.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 01:16:57 | More by TrappistJohnMD

msolar

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow - this beer was amazing. I'm a huge fan of stouts, and this is certainly one of my favorites. It might even replace Sam Smith's as my favorite Oatmeal Stout.

The >11% ABV is dangerously well hidden.

I'm hoping to get this on tap at home at some point. In the meantime, I'm certainly picking up another bottle or two.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 20:35:05 | More by msolar

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is strong and smoky with an overtone of molasses and a hint of quality coffee. It pours a rich opaque sable, like any good stout, with a fairly thick and fine-bubbled tan head that leaves some substantial, if not persistent, lacing. Flavor is fabulous - fine roast coffee, sweet chocolate, molasses, and a hint of hops. The sweetness is not cloying or overpowering, and the touch of hop bitterness balances this nicely. Lively texture is quite fizzy and leaves behind a good tingle, along with molasses sweetness and a little hop bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 15:57:20 | More by Cyberkedi

silverking

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This truly is an outstanding stout. It Poured almost pitch black with a white head. It had beautiful lacing, I mean truly beautiful. aromas of coffee, chocolate, oats, and hops were all present. heavy in the mouth with light carbonation. alcohol is detectable in the palate, but only after flavors of chocolate, caramel and chocolate are enjoyed. the finish kept me wanting more and I was saddened by the last sip. This is my first experience with southern tier and I enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 18:27:19 | More by silverking

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Poured pretty hard and got a slow rising mocha head about 1" thick laying on top of a pitch black body.
S- I was expecting the oatmeal to be pretty much hidden in this but the oatmeal comes through nice and strong with a ton of chocolate. Light roasted aroma but it's mostly just a ton of chocolate with a ton of oatmeal. I can't even imagine how much oatmeal they would of had to put in this to make it come through in such a strong beer. Alcohol also tickles the nose just a little along with some grass hops.
T- Woah! Each sip is just amazing. A crap load of chocolate blended with a ton of oats. Grass hops manage to make their way through and give a medium bitterness on tongue along with lingering chocolate and the newly arrived coffee. The alcohol slowly builds up and eventually heats up the throat but does so in a calming and soothing way. Hints of caramel sweetness manage to peak its head out.
M-Just a perfect mouthfeel for this brew. Thick, chewy, creamy, and smooth. Just one of those ones you want to chew on going down.
D- This has made it to one of my favorite beers out there. The only flaw I can see in it (for my taste) is the bit of coffee in the aftertaste. If this was bourbon barrel aged I doubt you could find a beer as good as this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2007 08:11:47 | More by BlindPig

dreadnatty08

District of Columbia

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle lists 11.0% abv, I'll try and make an update.
Pours a completely opaque black beer with a quarter inch of head that quickly sinks to a slim covering of cappucino colored tracing. Aromas are carried by a strong alcohol presence. Lots of earthy, rich and deep notes come through, mostly chocolate, cream soda, vanilla, a little light oak, and a bunch of milled oatmeal. It's really nothing like any RIS I've had as I would compare it to; not as roasty or chocolaty, but still with some slight port like notes. On the palate, this beer explodes! Minimal carbonation fills your mouth with a heavy slickness of chocolate, oatmeal, some slight lactose like notes. It is incredible smooth as the high percentage of oats would do and the finish is very long, very smooth with some slight roasty bitterness. A little bit of an herbal touch is felt from the hops, columbus bringing citrus and willamette a little floral. Overall, this is an overwhelmingly good beer and I'm scared to rate it so high. My first from this brewery and hopefully the rest will live up to this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 21:55:39 | More by dreadnatty08

JordanChabot

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The pour is absolutely black with a thin caramel head. The smell is of rich dark chocolate, hickory, and a small hint of dark fruit at the end.
Now to taste. Rich, dry chocolate covers the palate, followed by smoky burnt malt, with a similar bite to scotch ales. If you can stay with me, the mouth feel is very ashy, and has some pleasant bitterness. The alcohol sticks around, but isn't anything too powerful. Sum it up with dried fruit and an unbelievable light clean finish and you have yourself one of the best new imperial stouts I've had the pleasure of consuming. Seems the southern tier is getting raised higher and higher.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2009 02:12:23 | More by JordanChabot

Zodijackyl

Connecticut

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a solid black with no head, looks like heavily used lightweight motor oil. Aroma is smooth and sweet, tons of malt with notes of chocolate and molasses. Taste is dominated by malt, oatmeal and chocolate malts are prominent. The taste is not even remotely bitter, it is a refined sludge of several malts that highlights chocolate and molasses. Great mouthfeel, very full and smooth while being extra thick - also extremely drinkable due to the near lack of bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 00:59:20 | More by Zodijackyl

cvfish

Louisiana

4.83/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Poured a deep black that produced a brown head that retained well and laced the glass nicely

S - Smells like oatmeal, but since I eat it every morning (literally), it might be dominating my sense

T - Like sitting down for breakfast for coffee and oatmeal, but then pouring the coffee in the oatmeal, stirring, and then eating. If that really clears it up, but what can I say, I enjoy both

M - Thick, in the way it sticks to your throat on the way down, with little carbonation

D - Possibly my favorite oatmeal stout, which is why it gets the 5 for taste

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2009 22:22:22 | More by cvfish

IntriqKen

California

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.

Almost a completely jet black fills the glass that no light could ever penetrate...very small off white head disappears way too quickly. A tease to the alcohol inside.

Aromas are chocolate...dark chocolate...sweet dark chocolate...coffee...espresso...touch of hops and alcohol.

Taste is as it smells....but more so. The sweet dark chocolate is so intense it is decadent and sinful...the espresso is just enough to balance the chocolate, and the alcohol at the end reminds you this is one very potent and substantial dessert.

Mouthfeel is as creamy and smooth as a dessert should be.

Everything about this beer is...
...decadent, sinful, and worth the price of the sin.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 02:34:27 | More by IntriqKen

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance - pours a deep cola color, no light is getting through this one. A thin mocha layer of bubbles above leaves a few dots of lace, but holds a solid collar.

Aroma - big aromas of roasted grain and coffee, and bittersweet cocoa powder. Rich but not necessarily intense and heavy. Good resilience as the beer sets up.

Taste - huge roasted grain opening, a lucious mouthful of espresso and dark chocolate. Some light char on the swallow enhances the black malts further. The aftertaste is like a shot of straight espresso. Finishes with a smoldering abv warmth and an enticing blend of the roasty grain, chocolate, and rich coffee flavors.

Mouthfeel - velvety smooth, restrained carbonation, and a big body. Complements the flavors perfectly.

Drinkability - for an 11% brew, this is unbelievably drinkable. Fresh, it is phenomenal; aged - we'll see, but not anytime soon. A fine beer to toast the Steelers in their Superbowl XLIII win. Well done guys.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2009 21:12:36 | More by brewdlyhooked13

funkymuppet

New York

4.88/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow. Wow, wow, wow. This is a huge hit for me: as far as my palate goes this hits exactly the right mix for this style - it's sumptuous to drink, has a fantastic bitter chocolate middle taste and a lovely burnt long-lasting aftertaste. The alcohol warmth comes in at the end - very well apportioned. It's really full on the mouthfeel - and it doesn't hit you as overly sugary - a preference for me.
Great stuff - got it in NJ for $10 650ml - I will get a case plus of this no problem at all.
Let third of the bottle sit in the fridge overnight - not much changed, and still a real pleasure to drink.
Way to go southern tier.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 21:54:03 | More by funkymuppet

mcmidc

Wisconsin

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful inch thick head on the pour from this imperial stout, and the was pour very thick (what's better?) and left a nice lacey tan head after it settled. Smell was very good, a ton of aromas with chocolate and carmel dominating. Taste was amazing, a lot of things going on in my mouth. Very full bodied with dark chocolately malt taste with a hint of molasses. Minor tones of alcohol in the backround. This stout finished clean and I thought I could sense some hoppy undertones at the end, but now that I'm halfway done with a pint I'm not tasting it anymore. This is everything I think an imperial stout should be. Exceptional beer and I recommend it and will definetely drink again. I can't wait.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2007 23:31:13 | More by mcmidc

dlcoblen

South Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Served from a growler. (Charleston Beer Exchange)

A: Very dark, basically black with a light brown head that dissipates quickly.

S: Smells sweet, like chocolate I did not find the aroma too complex.

M: Slightly viscous and creamy its just what to expect while drinking an imperial stout.

T: Amazing! This has to be one of my favorite stouts. It starts with sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, slight coffee taste and perhaps a touch of caramel. With being 11% abv, they did a good job with masking the alcohol, you can tell its there but just a hint on the back end. Also the oats adds its own dimension, I'd say it contribute mostly to the creaminess to this brew.

Overall: I gave it a 5 mostly due to the fact that since having the beer I believe this is how stouts should be made in the past I have had (hoppier stouts) while they are good too, this Southern Tier Oat Stout changes the perspective. The chocolate and creamy/sweetness made for a real treat I will be buying this again.

Serving type: growler

02-23-2013 12:57:04 | More by dlcoblen

acsprouse

South Carolina

4.94/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A -very black with very little tan/khaki head

S-dark chocolate, licorice.. oats, molasses.. coffee

T- dark chocolate yet light and creamy..licorice.. oats.. coffee notes.. strong and bold

M- medium thick body, not very carbonated, initial sweetness.. slightly bitter finnish.. hard to telk this one is 11% abv

O- a pleasant stout, must have.. gotta try! i recommend this beer!

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 08:07:44 | More by acsprouse

mhewes

Colorado

4.97/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A : Pours a very dark brown, almost black color with a very thin tan head that disappears real quickly

S : Great aroma...roasted malts, oats, and an underlying sweetness

T : Good roasted malt flavors along with the oats. Some bitter chocolate flavor. A nice sweetness throughout the glass also

M : Full-bodied, creamy, smooth

D : Extremely easy to drink. I had no idea it was 12.5%.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2008 14:57:32 | More by mhewes

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

5/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Nice dark black coldr like a beer should be. A thick tan head that dissapates quickly. Smells and tastes of chocolate and vanilla. Smooth feeling in the mouth for as strong as it is. 11%. Overall an excellent beer to drink and share with your friends

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 02:34:53 | More by yuenglingfan101