Stoudt's Fat Dog Stout - Stoudts Brewing Co.

rembrant

Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

look I could see a garnet purple in the pouring but in the glass,black Thin tan head does not last long. Leaves sip rings.

Aroma, dark malt,a "sort of" bitter chocolate,some dark sweet bread and some sort of fruity tang like peaches and raisins soaked in rum.

Flavor Starts okay with approximate coffee/chocolate stouty tastes,and there's some odd thing,like a fruitcake made with a lot of overcooked canned beaches,some sour cherries and some booze. I've tasted that combo in Brandywines and Belgians,but it's the opposite of what's usual in Oat Stout.

In the aftertaste,the bitter is rather wooden with a little metallic and finishes with some sour that's not welcome. I tend to be a sucker for a good oatmeal stout...this one I don't care for.
It's ragged,it's not true to style. The good parts get buried by an odd mix of cloying old fruit,a sourness,and a bit of booziness that with the fruity effects and sour reminds me way too much of a jug wine.

Mouth, A tad thin. Carbonation is fine. The aftertaste is a wreck. I got a sip that was a bit like a cherry flavor cough syrup. Then it went sour from there. WTF ?

Drinkable? Not real good. The many flaws are not,individually overwhelming but they sure add up. Someone who loves a Dubbel might like this more.

This is not drainpour but of the many Oatmeal Stouts I have had...this is in last place.

Looking at reviews....It seems this stuff is pretty variable and the impressions mostly don't describe THIS one...though some DO.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 02:14:00 | More by rembrant

barleywinebrewer

New Hampshire

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Stoudts fat dog 2003

so, I never thought of this as a long term cellerable beer before last night. Props to hopasaurus for breaking into his cellar for this gem. A slight foam over upon opening yields a pitch black liquid with a huge tan head. intense chocolate, roasted coffee flavors dominate, a hint of lactic but barely at that. This one has aged wonderfully. Given the foam over I'd say if you've got a stash of 03s you might want to try one to see if you've got a similar issue. If not this one has legs to go a few more years easily.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 19:01:23 | More by barleywinebrewer

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

765ml (1pt, 9.87oz) bottle from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Vintage date 7/24/03.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, it's a foamer, with 4" of light brown head over the almost opaque dark brown brew. Lacing is minimal once the head settles at about 1/4". Aroma is powdered chocolate with an underlying fruit character. Taste is also the rich chocolatey goodness, which lingers after the swallow. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both very nice. Unfortunately, this one hasn't aged quite as well as I hoped, but since is the last bottle I have, I won't be repeating the mistake.

9/8/04 - 4.5/4/4/4.5/4.5
765ml (1pt, 9.87oz) bottle from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a dense 2" light brown head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Laces well. Nose is lightly of dark malts, but not as intense as I would hope. Taste is dark malts, but nary a bit of bitterness. Mouthfeel and drinkability are excellent, with smoothness being key. This goes down the hatch like nobody's business. Worth the search...

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2008 01:03:22 | More by ppoitras

cooncat

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving from a 26 oz. bottle, labeled 5/4/02, so this is nearly 6 years old (well cellared). Decanted into SA glass.

A medium pour produced a 2 fingered tan head that held up very well, keeping a small cap to then end. Minimal lacing evident on the swirl, but the head was prodigious.

The nose hits you as soon as you start to pour, and is mainly that of chocolate or cocoa, with subtle hints of dark fruits and bread.

Taste is similar to the nose, except that the dark fruit tastes come to the fore (plums and raisins come to mind). Chocolate fades to the background. Mouthfeel is medium and very smooth. The finish is dry, with a hint of smokeyness.

This is a complex stout, worthy of a leisurely and contemplative quaff. Very drinkable, with a moderate abv. Recommended.

Na Zdravje

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2008 23:05:39 | More by cooncat

adammills

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I poured this stout into a pint glass. Dark almost black with a nice tannish head. Both in smell and taste the beer is well toasted with some carmel, not terrific. The alcohol kick is out of balance with the style, and it turns this beer into a sipper, which in my opinion it shouldnt be. The mouthfeel is fine, and average stout at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2006 13:35:47 | More by adammills

ruleof72

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Super dark/chocolate color with milk chocolate colored head that was fairly thin.
S- Toasted oatmeal and chocolate with some hints of cinnamon and hops. Sweet smelling.
T- Roasted grain/oatmeal with fairly strong chocolate flavor.
M- A little thin with too little carbonation
D- Very drinkable

This was a good stout. Pours super dark with a thin head. The flavor is a definite toasted malt/chocolate with sweet overtones, very nice. Mouthfeel was a little disappointing but still OK. I could drink this pretty much all day. Overall a nice stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2006 23:38:53 | More by ruleof72

FLAbeergutinMASS

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A three-year-old bottle I picked up at Ring Brothers on Cape Cod. Beer was opened and served and consumed at room temperature.

Now back to the beginning. Upon opening a huge explosion of carbonation, in fact, it took up almost a quarter of the liquid when all was said and done. Made for a very nice looking pour though.

I am sure the age of this beer help in its nasal characteristics. Big chocolate and dark fruit absolutely wafting from said carbonation. On the lips it was dry, semi-sweet, and a little bitter.

A very complex beer which was undoubtedly helped by proper aging and storage. A little bit of a task getting through it, but nonetheless a tasty offering.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2006 16:34:53 | More by FLAbeergutinMASS

PorterLambic

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black with a dark tan head, a small one, that leaves no lace at alll.
Smell is light but balanced and includes malt, dark chocolate, hops and smoke.
Taste is better with malt, yeast,hops, smoke, dark chocolate, cane sugar, alcohol and vanilla detected. A fairly good balance to go with this complex flavor.
Chewy, full-bodied, warms the throat gently. Drinks heavily but very smooth. A really good beer that could use a bit more nose.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2006 14:24:47 | More by PorterLambic

kirok1999

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Very dark black with a dark head that quickly disapates and leaves little lacing.

S- Sweet dark fruit, cherries, raisins, caramel.

T- Very dark fruit, nice alcohol presence, rich and creamy.

M- Luscious and creamy, thick and smooth.

D- Very nice for a cold evening.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2006 23:51:40 | More by kirok1999

plaid75

New York

3/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a motor oil black hue with no head to speak of.

The smell was hot fudge with a faint alcohol aroma.

The taste was chocolate and toasted malt. There was a very sweet finish. A bit of an alcohol flavor.

The mouthfeel was full, with a little bite at the end.

A relatively low ABV for an American stout. Not enough toasted grain flavor to keep me interested.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2006 01:16:40 | More by plaid75

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was fortunate to visit the brewpub when they had this as a cask conditioned offering. Was presented as a deep brown, almost black offering with moderate tannish creamy head. Served at proper temperature. Smell was a nice combination of coffee, chocolate and roasted malt. Taste was a bit overpowering (as might be expected with a 9% beer), but was moderated by the extraordinary creaminess. Nice coffee and toasted notes were present. Finished was very smooth with a slight bitterness present. A nice drinkable stout.

Serving type: cask

01-08-2006 23:21:55 | More by tgbljb

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer poured a dark black with no head what so ever. A little bit of light came through the edges of my glass reveling some browns and purples.

Smelled slightly sour, or red licorice and a bit of roasted malt.

Tasted like candy-like medicinal syrupy roasted malts. Not so hot.

Mouth feel was medium with very little carbonation, to the point of seeming flat.

Bleh.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2006 16:31:40 | More by DarkerTheBetter

carln26

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Andy’s Corner Bar in Bogata, NJ. It came from the tap in tulip glass a deep black with mild mahogany highlights. Thick creamy tan head. Espresso, chocolate, black cherry nose. It was amazingly complex. There were likely more traits than that, but I was really overwhelmed by the berry notes that came across as I breathed this in. Wonderful dark berry flavor with a mocha espresso back. Again, really surprising. Thick rich mouth feel, nice drinkability. I’ve had hit and miss experiences with this brewery in the past, but this beer, and a fresh tap are a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2005 00:03:16 | More by carln26

kegerator

Maryland

4.72/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very very nice
Pours a thick black with a thin light bornw head that sticks around.
Aroma of fruit, chocolate and a roastiness, slight coffee hints.
Flavor is mainly roasted malts, chocolate with hints of fruitiness. cherry like but not sour at all. sweet to the taste but not overly.
its fairly thick and coats the mouth well and finished very smooth. As it warms it gets even better. I really enojyed this one and am sorry that its retired.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2005 19:24:32 | More by kegerator

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12oz bottle conditioned – Red Label with a Purple Image of the Brewery and a Fat Dog (may be a Labrador Retriever) on top of it.
Appearance: Coal black, with a thin brown head that stays around throughout the drink.
Aroma: Strong black coffee hints as well as dark malts. There is some chocolate notes mixed with some dark fruitiness and dates.
Taste: Bitter chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, and oatmeal flavors lead to a dry, medicinal and a slightly astringent finish
Mouthfeel: average…slightly creamy.
Drinkability: Smooth
Last Thought: Solid Brew

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2004 16:56:41 | More by WilliamPhilaPa

shapudding

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from my beautiful 750 that I still had horded away, to a wonderful dark woodsy brown. Carbination rising up the sides to the thick, khaki head that reduced down to a nice covering and thick ring. Can't see through this one, just a bit of ruby/amber at the sides when you hold it to the light. Yummm... scents of dark fruits and merlot... Good amount of carbination, but not annoyingly so. Nice feel to it, smooth and medium bodied, but not too creamy feeling. Tastes of dark fruits, plums, red grapes, and raisins. Bit of caramelly sweetness. Bit of vineous flavor, maybe house red wine in the aftertaste. This is just very, very nice. Easy drinker for us stout lovers. Not too heavy or overpowering with flavor. The wonderful flavors do sit on your tongue and play there after each sip, but they do it so well, that nothing is cloying or "too much".
This is the reason that I have been letting this one sit in the fridge for most of this year, putting off cracking it open since I only brought back maybe 2 of them for myself from the early fest this year. Knowing that it would be just this damn good.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2004 00:46:50 | More by shapudding

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured pitch black with a barely visible ruby highlight when held to a light source. The head was tan and tall and fell very slowly and laced the glass.

The aroma was roasty chocolate and coffee with a very slight sourness behind. Also present was a fruitiness, namely dark fruits (plums, raisins, prunes) and caramel.

The flavor was dominated by coffee with chocolate far behind. Caramel and dark fruits made up the balance and the slight sourness present in the aroma is also present in the flavor, but does not detract.

The finish was dry with lasting chocolate long into the aftertaste, subtle coffee flavors lingered as well, but they were not pronounced. The body was medium full, not quite full, but well done.

750 ml bottle. Bottled on 9/30/03.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2004 21:23:52 | More by GCBrewingCo

Maestro

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I quite enjoyed this stout. Had this on tap and the bartender didn't know much about pouring a pint. (She was a sweetie though) The beer was pitch black. No head, as a result of the pour. The taste was roasty with hints of fruity hops and a bit of espresso character. Mouthfeel was full, with little carbonation. I think this beer would be nice on a nitro tap. Drinkability was good. Definitely a sippin' beer, not a session. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2004 20:36:41 | More by Maestro

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep chestnut brown with maroon and black streaks and an enormous tan head that leaves spotty chunks of foam on the pint.
Aroma is sweet milk chocolate, touch of roasted coffee and a raosted barley note.
Flavors of sweet chocolate, roasted coffee and barley were noted along with some wheat bread and a biscuit twinge. Finishes with a bitter, burnt and oliy hop note.
Mouthfeel is a little thin for a stout but stars sweet and moves to a roasty, charcoal and finishes with a moderate dose of bitterness.
Drinkability is godd. As I stated, maybe a tad too thin for style. May actually qualify as a Porter but pretty tasty either way.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2004 18:58:10 | More by CRJMellor

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I am sampling a chilled big bottle from the brewery, I bought this at the pub about 6 months ago and its been in my fridge since. I pour the brew into a snifter and the color is immediately impressive. A very drak brown pour with no light penetrating. Soft fluffy tan chocolate milk colored head foams up nicely and sticks around a while. Aroma is very appealing, with nice roasted malt scents mixing with chocolate, cocoa powder, and some coffee grinds too. I also get very faint pine hops in the background, but make no mistake this is a malty one first.
First sip reveals a smooth creamy texture very light rolling carbonation. Flavor is all the nose advertises, rich chocolate and roasted flavors explode in my mouth. I get brief hits of piney hops on the swallow as well. A very tasty brew that impressed me immensely. Cant wait for the next trip to PA to get this one again!!

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2004 15:07:42 | More by sulldaddy

mobyfann

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Paid $4.25 direct from Stoudt's Brewery in June '04:

The appearance is pretty much a black base with excellent retention and a bit of lacing as well. The aroma is bold of chocolate and roasted malts...

The taste is very mild for a stout, blended extremely well between the sweetness and the roastness... The mouthfeel wins top honors, this is even smoother than Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, absolutely incredible mouthfeel! The drinkability is good as well, I drop a few points for the fact that it does its' damage quickly, however I can drink this in a small session if necessary...

Final Thought: The best bottled brew I've had from this fine brewery; luckily they've started distributing out here in Cincinnati, wonderful!

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2004 03:12:57 | More by mobyfann

SheepNutz

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a jet black color with four heeping fingers of head. There is a good amount of lacing left on the glass. The smell is a base of roasted malt. Some molasses and toffee present. The taste has a little bit of coffee and chocolate under the roasted malt that stands out. The mouthfeel is very thick and heavy, yet smooth on the tongue. The drinkability is good as well. A really nice stout.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2004 21:44:52 | More by SheepNutz

ramrod666

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

fat dog stout has an ebony appearence with a nice chestnut head that retains well through the pint. nice lacing. smell is like french roast coffee with toffee and caramel undertones. taste is slightly sweet with just a slight hop twang. coffee-chocolate malts dominate the taste. medium carbonation for the style. mouthfeel is hearty and heavy. drinkability is good for a few, but i could not drink this all night simply becuase it is so heavy and filling. great to kick off a good session.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2004 23:49:55 | More by ramrod666

dave750

Rhode Island

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A very dark beer, black and opaque. A huge, thick, rocky brown head lasts forever and leaves a spotty, fine lace.The initial aroma is of a sharp tart lime that changes to melon and fades with a deep mocha and coffee smell.
First taste is of rich caramel that's quickly joined by toffee. Bitter hops and spearmint emerge at mid-taste. Fades as burnt toast and powered cocoa join in. Occasional hints of orange fade in and out. Medium body. Carbonation was a bit too high, masking some of the flavor for the first few sips.
A good beer with some interesting qualities.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2004 20:57:44 | More by dave750

WesWes

New York

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep dark black color with a thick frothy brown head that slowly fades. The aroma is good. It has a nice dark malt scent that boasts of black and chocolate malts. It is dry, but very creamy. The taste is decent. It has a smooth and rich chocolate malt flavor with a dry, warm finish. It has complexity, but I'm not sure I'm in love with the flavor. The mouthfeel is decent also. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This could use some extra body . This is a good stout, but it needs more body and less chocolate malts. It still drinks well.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2004 23:48:42 | More by WesWes