Oatmeal Stout - Free State Brewing Co.

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Charred coffee bean brown with tiny, gem-like ruby highlights indicating various lights inside the brewpub. The beige cap was small to start, lasted for a bit and deposited nearly solid sheets of lace between the concentric rings that marched down the glass with drinking.

The nose was less than bold. It featured roasted malt and a whiff of fruity hops. Part of its reticence may have been the beer's temperature. Both of my selections yesterday were colder than I would have preferred when they reached my table.

When beer first hit taste buds, I thought 'eh, just another routine oatmeal stout'. By the finish of that first mouthful, I had changed my mind. The usual flavors of bittersweet chocolate and black coffee were assisted by dark caramel, sugared vanilla bean and more hops than expected. Actually, it tasted like cocoa nibs had been used, but I doubt it.

With a bigger body, the flavor profile, which was already broad, would probably have been deeper. Warming showed me that potential. From a hophead's perspective, 40 IBUs worth of Northern Brewer and Fuggles is the (not so secret) ingredient that makes Oatmeal Stout go.

I hate it when I drink a good stout that could have been a great stout if only it was a bigger stout. This one was porter-like at best and was slightly too carbonated. With more girth, the final three scores might have been one notch higher. I was hoping for soft and creamy and didn't get it.

Both of the Free State Brewing Company beers that I drank with my lunch yesterday have potential. They're already good, but they need more ingredients (especially more malt) in order to be memorable. Although Oatmeal Stout wasn't quite good enough to warrant a growler purchase, I'll probably order it again if I ever make it back to Lawrence.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 16:28:50 | More by BuckeyeNation

jazappi

Kansas

3.4/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: On tap pour into a mug.

Appearance: A very deep brown/black. Very good head, lacing was lasting.

Aroma: Mild smelling, but a good aroma. Hints of chocolate and nutty.

Taste: Very enjoyable, the body was good, and had hints of nutty chocolaty goodness.

Mouthfeel: It was a thicker body, but very easy to drink.

Overall: This is a very easy oatmeal stout to drink. I like a lot of the Free State Brews.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2006 06:17:32 | More by jazappi

Boto

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draught @ Free State: This one pours a very dark, fairly opaque brown with a tan head. It did leave some lacing down the glass. The aroma was somewhat milder. There are hints of roasted malt and chocolate to the nose. The taste is very smooth, with some roastiness and chocolate. A nice stout.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2006 21:16:39 | More by Boto

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A good oatmeal stout, but not great.

Head is lacking, but could be due to the glasses they use.

Color is typical stout with roasted malted aroma, but not strong.

Sweet undertones in the taste, but the oatmeal roast category overcomes it. It could use some more stout properties, i.e. roasted malt.

Recommended

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2006 20:41:44 | More by Mebuzzard

KansasNate

Kansas

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This oatmeal stout pours smooth and possesses a small tan head which eventually reduces to a lacey web. The aroma is of roasted hops with a slight hint of chocolate. It hits the mouth with that same maltiness then transitions to an expresso / chocolate follow-through. This stout is easy to drink, and not as thick as some. It definately is not watery, however. This is a good stout, but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2005 00:40:14 | More by KansasNate

winomark

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A nice dark brown with some light seeping through. A small head. Aromas of roasted malts most noticable. Nice palate of roasted malts, some coffee and a nice roundness from the oats. Mouthfeel is on the light side, but still very flavorful with a lingering finish. Overall, a very nice stout. Easy-drinking and pleasant. Well worth a try.

Serving type: growler

10-24-2004 13:30:03 | More by winomark

bditty187

Nebraska

3.05/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark brown, almost black, reddish highlights, smallish brown head, soapy retention, good lace though. Faint nose, hint of sweet-malt... clean. Underlying hop bitterness mingles with the lightly roasted malt. No real complexity or development aside from a sparse hint of chocolate. Thin and lackluster, at best this is an average Oatmeal Stout. Far from great, nothing is offensive, but it is something I’d not recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2003 18:00:24 | More by bditty187

marc77

California

3.1/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Deep clear brown hue. Thin, tight head leaves Belgian lace. Aroma of burnt malt, mild baker's chocolate and dark caramel malt. Clean and underwhelming aromawise. Roasted barley bitterness upfront, mild hop bitterness immediately ensues, leaving an apparent void in malt character. Subtle, dryish chocolate mid palate. Lightly bodied, but quaffable. No trace of silky oatmeal is perceptible in the thin mouthfeel. Finishes clean and dry, w/ fleeting hints of chocolate. Uninspired. The filtration and / or over fining has stripped this brew of body. Good drinkability, but akin to a brown ale in roasted character.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2003 18:15:42 | More by marc77

maxpower

Missouri

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

Dark brown almost black color, decent lasting tan head. Sweet chocolate malty roasted burnt aroma, chocolate roasty sugary burnt bitter coffee flavors, yet has a pretty smooth and creamy mouthfeel, medium body has a nice burnt bitterness in the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2003 18:04:53 | More by maxpower

beernut7

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A deep black color sits below a nice creamy tan head. The aroma is lightly of dark malt. Initially a mellow sour fruity flavor presents itself followed by a quick sweet malt and a lingering bitterness. Great body and complex, I enjoyed this brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2002 13:05:41 | More by beernut7

mmthompson33

Kansas

4.95/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The roasted oats dominate its taste and it has a wonderfully smooth, silky texture. Just as Guiness has a worldwide following, many Lawrence, Kansas residents consider this beer to be a nectar of the gods. This beer grows on you. Free State Brewery is a hidden treasure in the Midwest.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2001 16:02:14 | More by mmthompson33