Oat (Imperial Oatmeal Stout) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

azdback

Arizona

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

DOB 10/11/11 Poured into snifter. Deep dark black color. Not much of a highlight either. Head rises up a finger or so and is dark tan in color and creamy in appearance. The head recedes rather quickly and leaves very little lace.

Smell is dark roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, leather, tobacco or charred wood, tart fruit and maybe a bit of licorice and some alcohol.

Taste is pretty heavy on the coffee, but has some silky chocolate there too. Maybe a chocolate covered espresso bean. Some charred wood. The dark fruit flavor is there just a bit in the end. No alcohol present in the taste.

Mouth is velvety and a bit viscous. Carbonation is creamy and the body is full and heavy. The finish is long and wet.

Overall I have really enjoyed every Southern Tier brew I have tried and this one is no different. Enjoyed with a friend and a UFC fight. Quite a fantastic combination. Thanks to injuredreserve for the chance. A slam dunk if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 06:31:16 | More by azdback

jsprain1

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Very very close to black. Very impressed by the color. Head is thin and disappears quite quickly.
S- The aroma is pleasant with a bit of sweet chocolate, the normal roasted stout characteristics, with a light smokey note.
T- Very pleasant with a roasted malt flavor, some medium-dark caramel, and a good espresso flavor in the finish.
M- Alcohol has a prickly effect on the tongue. Carb is medium-low for style. Very smooth. Very pleasant mouthfeel.
O- Not as absurd as many in the Blackwater series, but it is big in many ways itself. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 02:43:22 | More by jsprain1

mdaschaf

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours black with a small tan head upon pouring that reduces very quickly, leaving a bubbly ring on top. Not muh lacing at all.

S: A little bit of roasted malt, a good bit of cream (kind of like a sweet stout), a little chocolate and oats, but also a little bit of a buttery aroma.

T: More of the same, some chocolate and a little bit of oat, but beyond that not much. The buttery flavor shows up a little bit at the end.

M: Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Rather boring overall. Had high hopes based on my experience with the rest of the blackwater series, but this one fell flat for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 02:02:14 | More by mdaschaf

WEBBEER

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark black in color with a thin khaki head. Thin lacing disipates during the drink.

Smell: aroma is of sweet roasted malts, bitter chocolate, wood, and some coffee.

Taste: the flavor is roasted malts, some mild espresso, chocolate, and some sweet spice.

Mouthfeel: Thick viscousness in body. Creamy and smooth at the start with minimal carbonation as per Imperial. Finish is smooth with sweet roasted tones lasting shortly on the tongue after swallowing.

Drinkability: My favorite local oatmeal stout so far. As the label states this 650ml. bottle is a meal in itself

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 20:42:17 | More by WEBBEER

harrymel

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled 12OCT11
Black with mahogany edges and only a rim of tan foam. Licorice, molasses and dark fruits on the nose with a lower dose of sweetness in the nose than say, choklat or creme brulee. Flavor is of oats and molasses and dark malts with some nice soily character. The beer is chewy and resonant in finish with a moderate carb and has the potential to fill a belly. The 10.8% ABV doesn't even shine whatsoever.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 07:17:04 | More by harrymel

Aethien

Netherlands

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Ink black with no head.
Smells sweet, dark fruits, oats, malts and some coffee or cocoa bitterness at the back.
The coffee is more pronounced in the taste and a smokiness joins in as well. It's still sweet but it's balanced nicely with the bitterness. Alcohol is just not noticeable at all and I was surprised to see 10.8% ABV when I checked the bottle.
The mouthfeel is very creamy and smooth with medium carbonation, really good.

Overall, definitely a good stout and I'm happy I still have about 2/3rds of my 65cl bottle left. ^^

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 17:38:14 | More by Aethien

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle was poured into a tulip.

Appearance: The beer is pitch black, no clarity, no head, no bubbles, and a thin layer of foam.

Smell: sweetness to my nose, oats, some dark fruits, mocha, coffee, and breadiness.

Taste: A nice blend of all above flavors with a little smoke and ash mixed in between.

Mouthfeel: smooth, full bodied, medium carbonation, a little chewy and watery, and easy to drink.

Overall: Not a shabby stout. I was expecting more, but still pleasantly happy on this St. Patrick's Day. Wish I could try this out on nitro if the time becomes right.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 16:07:32 | More by Flounder57

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

neckbracesub

Indiana

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

This was my first venture into anything from the folks at Southern Tier, and I have to say that it is one of the best oatmeal stouts I have tasted in recent months. Grabbed a bomber from the always impressive Friendly Package just two towns away and enjoyed it immensely last night.

Pitch black pour with an intense coffee foam that will not dissipate, providing a hefty promise that you will enjoy the drink that follows. It lived up to the promise quite nicely, giving off an aftertaste and aroma that balances oats and java, with a smidgeon of chocolate. Everything compliments each other nicely and makes this a very enjoyable brew. I will be trying other beers from Southern Tier in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 21:16:55 | More by neckbracesub

dudelove7485

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Opaque, dark chocolate (near black) in color with a thin, khaki head that leaves a caviar-bubbled ring around the perimeter of the glass. Pleasant coffee/roasted malt aroma. The taste is sweet and malty, chocolaty, bready, smoky (almost to the point of burnt) and fruity (maybe Raisinettes?). The syrupy, full body gives way to a slightly bitter finish which warms the palate and balances the beer nicely. I liked this oatmeal stout more than a few of the local breweries’ oaty offerings (particularly Brown’s Oatmeal Stout) which used to be my standbys for cold weather drinking. As to be noted with a number of the Southern Tier Imperial series, a 650ml bomber is best enjoyed split with a buddy.

For more beer reviews, music, movies, books and more check out my website at www.selfhatinghipster.com

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 01:43:13 | More by dudelove7485

AaronHomoya

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Opened up a bomber I've been saving for a couple of years. Appearance is still nice, with a rich, dark color and a good full head of dark tan foam. Smell is a little lacking, with only some oats and dark malt and alcohol aromas. The taste is much fuller and complex, though. Dark fruits, sweet malt, roasted chocolatey flavors and a fairly dry, slightly hoppy finish. Mouthfeel is rather thick, but the carbonation is robust enough to balance it. Overall, this is a very nice example of the style and quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 03:00:39 | More by AaronHomoya

Merkur

Tennessee

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

Pours a pitch black with about a half fingers worth of brown head.

Beer smells very malty. Smells of dried fruits, plums and raisans also present.

Beer tastes very sweet and roasty. Very strong raisen taste along with a slight chocolate taste. Very malty almost like a barleywine.

Mouthfeel is just about perfect. Very thick and the right amount of syrupy.

Overall, a very solid imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:18:45 | More by Merkur

HopNelius

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served-on Draft.
Appearance-Dark brown with creamy white head that diminishes rather quickly and medium carbonation.
Smell-notes of molasses and caramel.
Taste-bread taste, caramel, molases, delicious, oatmeal.
Mouthfeel-very pleasant.
Overall-Great Oatmeal stout, very tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2012 14:55:21 | More by HopNelius

nickfl

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with one finger of medium brown foam on top of a black body with some minor, ruby highlights. The head settles slowly and leaves nice lace.

S - Dark, bready malt with some chocolate and toffee.

T - Thick, dark malt with notes of black bread, molasses, and caramel. A more roasted character comes out in the middle as chocolate and light coffee appear. Finishes with more molasses and notes of licorice, dark chocolate, and dark caramel.

M - A thick body, moderate carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Thick and complex, like all of Southern Tier's stouts, but still fairly drinkable for a beer of this strength. The balance definitely favors malt and a sweet finish but there is enough roast character and malt bitterness to prevent it from becoming excessive the way some other sweet, strong stouts tend to.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 06:52:54 | More by nickfl

isualum12

Idaho

4.6/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured dark as night with a great looking headon the glass. We enjoyed this beer last night at an imperial stout party here in Boise

This was easily one of my high lights from over 50+ tastes on the night. Great job bringing the thick tasty stout to life on my toung without to much c02.

Moderate toasted malt with dark bread and a light coffee aroma. There is a flavor ofwith some yeastiness, figs, and plums.

Southern delivers again. We really need more access to them here in Boise.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 18:34:58 | More by isualum12

dejrrma

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

$4.75 for 8 oz pour at the Porter.

a-Served in a tulip with absolutely no head. it is jet black and looks very still. no lacing.

s- not very much going on in terms of smell, some chocolate and coffee.

t- it tastes like a mix between a coffee stout and a milk stout. it's slightly hoppy and there's a strong chocolate presence. It's roasted and malty.

m- it's creamy and full-bodied with moderate carbonation and well-balanced. the 11% alcohol is hardly noticeable. this was my favorite part about the beer.

o- this was an okay stout. I'm glad I tried it but I'm also glad I didn't pay $9-$10 for a big bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 17:28:09 | More by dejrrma

SLeffler27

New York

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear black with a slight creamy taupe head. There is minimal lacing that leaves rings on a snifter glass.

Moderate toasted malt with dark bread and a light coffee aroma. There is a suggestion of spruce along with some yeastiness, figs, and plums.

Light combination of sweet and bitter flavors with a modest balance between malt and hops and a short finish.

Oat, Vintage 2009, has a dense body with a smooth, creamy texture that is drying with light alcohol.

Despite the high alcohol, this is an easy-drinking beer that improves significantly with warmth.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 11:36:17 | More by SLeffler27

teromous

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

ABV is 10.8%

A: It pours a dark syrupy brown color, leaving a fluffy tan head which mirrors the color of the label (not the one displayed here, which is dull and looks desaturated). It fades and leaves a small ring around the glass, like most stouts would. I get no lacing that sticks from this beer...just some caviar bubbles that roll off the sides.

S: I smell coffee, some dark chocolate, and alcohol.

T: It tastes very good. The strength of the beer and flavor put on the show of an aged whiskey. It has lots of dark character, tasting like roasted coffee and bourbon mixed together.

M: The mouthfeel stood out to me before I could even fully taste the beer. It is exceptionally smooth, perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness on the palate, with amazingly perfect carbonation.

O: Overall I think this is an awesome beer. If you have friends that are whiskey drinkers, this is the perfect beer for them. The "Oat" title makes it sound like it's going to be a grainy flavored slick beer, but it seriously tastes rich and feels smooth like it was aged...it's that good...and it just has this nice roasted flavor. I would buy it again, and I will enjoy the rest of this!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 00:42:27 | More by teromous

atr2605

New York

4.48/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-pours black with a foamy tan head
S-roasted malt, coffee, cocoa, plums
T-more roasted malt, cocoa, and dark fruit/plums. Coffee doesnt come in to play in the flavor.Hops provide a nice bitterness balance to counteract the big sweet flavors.
M-full bodied and creamy
O-Very well balanced stout with great flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 03:24:24 | More by atr2605

FickleBeast

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle poured into a DFH snifter. 10/11/11 laser etched on the bottle.

Pours pitch black with a finger of off white foam. Doesn't appear to be as viscous as I'd expect for a beer of this size. Aroma is redolent of roasted malt, plum, and a bit of booze.

First sip is very nice. Quite a bit of residual sweetness with a bitter finish, and the viscosity is certainly there in the mouthfeel. Tastes a bit boozy as well. As it warms, the bitterness and booze become more pronounced. Still there is a nice bit of plum sweetness and roasty astringency.

Very smooth finish - feels slick on the tongue. I feel the biggest detractor is the alcohol burn - I think this would benefit from a little age.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 02:52:00 | More by FickleBeast

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Southern Tier Oat, poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint and shared with the wife.

A: Opaque & viscous, with a small amount of khaki/brown head and low retention.

S: Oat, lactose, sugar, chocolate, sweetness, cream, chocolate ice cream, rich decadent sweetness, faint coffee house, caramel, faint roast, light alcohol.

T: Lots of malt; dark malts, roasted malts, crystal malts, chocolate malts, hint of smoke, molasses, definite flaky oatmeal character. Big and full, rich flavors, like oatmeal/chocolate fudge cake. Faint coffee & some alcohol burn round out the palette.

MF: Moderately viscous mouthfeel, dryish burn, light bitterness.

O: Pleasant, but not extremely quaffable, more of an Imperial sipper. In my opinion, these Blackwater Series beers are bigger than they need to be, though for the most part they are tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 15:33:28 | More by Scotchboy

sevenarts

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark wine-like purple with a small tan head and no lacing.

S: Sweet, malty and fruity. A bit boozy.

T/M: Really rich, flavorful blend of sweet, sugary malts, roasted oats, with some burnt bitter flavors balancing out the sweetness. Very earthy and complex. The alcohol comes through, but hidden better than it is in the smell.

O: A delicious, really layered and well-balanced stout with a lot going on. Heavy and super-rich and strong.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 00:01:11 | More by sevenarts

EkimGram

New York

4.47/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: 22oz bottle poured into a snifter. Colour is a deep, dark brown. Barely any head whatsoever - just a thin ring.

Smell: Very rick malt aromas with a certain sweet and alcoholic quality. Just a hint of roasted/burnt character.

Taste: Very strong roasted and burnt malt flavours; bold and complex. There is a nice bitterness to it that evens out the sweet alcohol flavours. Excellent.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with a nice silky, creamy attribute. Mild carbonation keeps things interesting.

Overall: I love this beer. It's got good looks and good taste. What else can you ask for?

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 06:25:28 | More by EkimGram

socon67

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours black and impressive cream colored foam. Minimal lacing, and almost no carboantion at all.

S - Smells creamy, malty, with a hint of smoke. Really could make an air freshener out of this.

T - Hearty malt, rich flavor that is creamy and full of roasted taste. A real treat; you don't feel treated at all.

M - Heavy, thick, and full bodied. You feel like you've had a big stout. But you aren't cheated one bit.

O - I've noticed Southern Tier does big beers well. They go big and I like them. Anything else seems underwheling. This is a tasty big stout. I'd have it again.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-19-2012 04:36:02 | More by socon67

crewfan16

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured from a bomber dated 11/11/11 into a chimay goblet. havent had this brew in a while, so looked forward to trying this out of southern tier's generally delicious black water series

a- pours black/brown with no light shining through. dark khaki colored head foams up and then fades quickly, just sticking around lightly around the edges

s- creamy sweet chocolate and roasted malts. ever so slight hop. nothing overwhelming, but a very pleasant nose

t- mmmm typical southern tier sweetness. creamy chocolate and malt sweetness. some nice bitter nop towards the end to balance out the sweetness nicely. sort of an earthy hop and oat aftertaste lingers.

m- starts very creamy and smooth, but as it warms, the booze starts to show a bit. nice thickness with low carbonation is right on par for the style. definately a sipper

overall, a very tasty stout, although a bit on the sweet side. pretty typical for southern tier big stouts. value is just ok at $10 a bomber. there are better southern tier black water stouts in my opinon, but this one is pretty tasty anyways.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 21:53:38 | More by crewfan16