Young's Oatmeal Stout - Wells & Young's Ltd

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Very smooth stout, mostly smooth roast. Balanced , just on the sweet side, with definite chocolate malts.Liked this better than the St. Ambroise and perhaps the Brooklyn Chocolate. A bit past expiry date in October, but not the worse for wear as carbonation was understatedly appropriate..

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2005 21:57:45 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep dark mahogany brown with ruby highlights visible at the bottom edge of the glass. The largish head is light milk chocolate in color and is creamyfirm with a mild stickiness. It stays humped in the center as it falls and deposits a modest amount of lace in thin wisps. A good look.

The nose is of cocoa powder, chocolate liqueur and coffee beans. It could be stronger, although I'm trying my best to assess it through a thick, creamy cap of foam. The flavor is enjoyable, but I find myself comparing it (unfavorably) to Samuel Smith's version. Also, I find that it's closer to a dry stout than it is to an oatmeal stout. As in the nose, chocolate and chocolate liqueur hold sway.

Coffee is a subtle member of the flavor profile, as is the barest hint of smoke (odd that). Also, it's too bitter and too acidic; characteristics that don't really fit the stated style. The body isn't light exactly, but is lighter than a stout ought to be in my considered opinion. For all that, it's smooth and is easily drinkable.

I don't want to be too hard on Young's Oatmeal Stout since it is a decent version. It does, however, fall a little short of its better known and better tasting competition.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2004 17:38:23 | More by BuckeyeNation

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.7/5  rDev -32.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a black body with a full, foamy light tan head.

Smell: Faint aroma of chocolate and licorice with a very unappealing sour quality to it.

Taste: Dark chocolate flavor with a hint of root beer and a shot of water. The finish is thinning and watery.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Not nearly as full-bodied, complex, or flavorful as other oatmeal stouts.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 18:26:57 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a nearly pitch black color with a sturdy tan head that retains well and leaves a few splashes of lace

Smell: Interesting combination of prune, chocolate and coffee, with an earthy tone and a hint of caramel

Taste: Opens with a combination of dark prune fruit and chocolate with a moderate earthy bitterness developing by mid-palate; after the swallow, the chocolate flavors build, bringing along some caramel sweetness and oat to complement the moderate bitter flavors at the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy, with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Very nice; it's been a while since I have tried this and I am even more impressed now than I was several years ago

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 00:09:58 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Adrian910ss: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a medium light brown foamy head with nice retention and good lacing. Aroma of chocolate roasted malt is pretty interesting. Taste of chocolate malt with some sweetness and a light dry bitter finish is enjoyable. Body is slightly above average with a great creamy texture. Well done overall and something I wouldn’t mind indulging in again.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2006 18:29:49 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A nice addition to Brixx Pizza,pours a creamy black with a some reddish tint with a creamy nitro head.Aroma is on the sweeter side with some dark roast coffe thrown in,what a smooth creamy mouthfeel near perfect.Taste has a nice big bitterness up front but becomes more tame as u drink more some dark roast coffeee and ubsweetened chocolate with anice underlying softness.Man how drinkable is this beer on nitro damn I could drink this all night and did.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-25-2004 00:41:50 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

The original draft and bottled version of the Oatmeal Stout is quite a different animal than the nitro version. It's appearance is similar, with the body being black in color with brownish highlights at the base of the pint. But the head is darker tan, and it doesn't hold quite as well. The lacing is roughly the same, but the nitro version does win out in this category. And temperature comes into play as the bottled version needs to be served warmer (or allowed to warm once poured) before the head really comes up. And similarly, the bottles need to warm a bit before revealing their complete flavor, whereas the nitro version seems to loose some of it's crispness once warmed and is actually quite nice cold. The aroma offers the standard Young's fruitiness over a lightly caramel maltiness (and seems a bit more pronounced than the nitro version). The body is light; and it leaves a gentle tingle on the tongue with its moderate carbonation. The flavor delivers a lightly acidic (low pH from the dark malts), some yeasty fruitiness, a deep caramel malt, some delicate vanilla, a light chocolate note, a drying roastiness, and firm bitterness. It's flavors are more pronounced than in the nitrogenated version, and the bitterness appears a bit higher (although it's probably actually the very same beer!). The finish is dry, with a gently lingering bittersweet chocolate roastiness. This is an excellent example of how carbonation levels affect beer! I prefer the straight CO2 version as it brings out a bit more of the bitterness, and reveals it's full range of flavors; but the nitrogen version can also be quite pleasing at times. Well worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2003 00:49:41 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Color is a deep dark, fully black, and it rests below a large, active, dark tannish head. Aroma is on the sweetish side, notes of cream, nuts, cocoa. Smoooooth and silky sweet!
Mouthfeel, smooth and lush, nearly perfect, except...well, ...I could definitely use more from the hop department. Wait,..there they are...ooops, they're gone, again!
Malt is big, warm, generous, with a lasting, luxurious finish.
Smooth, delightful, delicious, very easy to drink. If drinkability were the only factor, it would be a 5, but when complexity enters this smooth Young's brew suffers a bit.
Still, an uplifting, happy stout!

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2003 00:04:17 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark black color with a creamy tan head that lasts. The aroma is of roasted black barley and oats. The taste is smooth with a refreshingly crisp finish. There are flavors emitting from the darker malts and a destictive oatmeal mouthfeel and taste. The mouthfeel is good. This is a medium bodied beer that drinks well for a darker ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2003 20:49:21 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours out black with a mocha colored, 3-finger head. It left a little lacing, too.

S - It smelled of grains and roasted malt.

T - It had a fairly strong coffee taste. It was also malty. There was also a burnt flavor to it. I was also surprised that it wasn't very bitter.

M - It had a soft, creamy mouthfeel. It is heavy-bodied.

D - The taste wasn't typical of most oatmeal stouts, but it was good.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2006 14:30:16 | More by zeff80

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best by date October 2006, Sampled August 2006
The beer pours a deep, not quite black, brown color that shows a brilliantly clear rich chocolate color when held up to the light. The aroma has a nice chocolate note to it, which moves to a nice, light roast coffee type note. A touch of sweet malt character yields a subtle note of burnt figs & raisins.

A creamy, lightly sweet malt notes yields quickly to a prickly carbonation and a bitter burnt grain note. The beer is a touch colder than I would like, but a bit of time will fix that. Light and quaffable on the palate, yet still rich and full of flavor. Sharp with a roast malt derived bitterness and even some hop bitterness. The combined bitter notes create ample balance to the evident malt sweetness. There is a touch of in the finish of this beer that is also a result of the roast character. As the beer warms up a bit more the chocolate note even become a bit more noticeable. Quit tasty, though it definitely benefits from being served on the warm side of things.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2006 04:35:49 | More by Gueuzedude

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16.9 oz with a BBD of 24 Oct 06. Plenty fresh!

pours deep mahogony wotha tight 2 fingers+ tan head. some lacing and head retention

Smell: Roasted malts & fruitiness. Chocalate notes

Taste: Sweet, fruity & grainy/bitter chocalate up front.

MF: Nice fullness with good carbonation. Slight oilyness. Finishes sweet/dry

Pretty drinkable, but more of a session ender than one you'd drink all night. Nice example of the style, but a little more smoothess is needed

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2006 03:45:20 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500 mL bottle,

A: Pours black with a soft but firm tan head, full lace immediately and all the way down the glass. Great looking pint.

S: Sweet notes of fermented oats, brown sugar, hint of smoke and chocolate.

T: Sweet milk chocolate and oats, classic flavours for this style simply put. Creamed coffee mid-palate, gets a little more bitter burnt charcoal of a flavour at the finish, but a sweet beer overall.

M: Not cloying from the sweetness which I liked, creamy and smooth, medium/full-bodied even. A bit of acridity at the end prevents me from taking it to the next level.

D: The bottles still in the US are holding up well, I just wish Young's would come back with their full lineup, I miss them.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 02:08:44 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

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

best before 30 Aug 07

Pours almost black with a thick off-white head that slowly descends to a thin, bubbly cover.

The smell is of roasted grains and an underlying fruitiness.

The taste is of sweet malt balanced by a mild roasted character. Sweet roasted barley dominates with some underlying dark fruitiness. Finishes with a roasted bitterness. The finish is rather short with some residual acidity.

The body is full, creamy and smooth. Rather drying.

This is a nice oatmeal stout, though not one of my favorites. To me, the flavors weren't quite as robust as I would like. Still, it's enjoyable enough and would make a nice accompaniment to a brunch.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2007 20:33:59 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Brewski's

This looks gorgeous with a pitch black body, a thick tan head that never dies and full-glass lacing. The aroma, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I just get a light, dusty smell without much coffee or chocolate. The flavor is also pretty mild, with most of the taste coming late with smooth but bitter cocoa.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2008 04:57:14 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours deep caramel brown with a decent sized quickly dissipating tan head, lacing is fine and webbed. Aroma: A fruity suprising alcohol tinged presence along with a creamy chocolate and mild coffe notes to top it off. Taste: Creamier than most stouts the dark roasted malts aren't as dominant a bit tame bit the chocolate flavor and coffee esque finish make this one a classic plus with an added bonus fruity overtones and a nice presence of alcohol in the flavor yum. Mouthfeel: Smooth even carbonation a bit dry in the finish, not as fluffy and full bodied as most oatmeal stouts but still very tasty. Drinkability: Solid a go to especially on nitro if nothing more intriguing is available either way I like this stout when I'm not in the mood for a chewy stout, this one is more drinkable no heavy thickness in the mouthfeel but still flavorful and has everything that makes stouts what they are.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2003 23:28:29 | More by WVbeergeek

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.65/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Something is terribly wrong here. This is one of the higher rated Oatmeal Stouts on this site but it tastes terrible to me. There must be a problem with the bottle or something. I am cooling down a Sam Smith OS right now to get some perspective. If this is the way it is supposed to taste then wow Sam Smith OS blows it out of the water. I have noticed many other reviewers have had a similar problem and questioned the integrity of the beer. The roasted barley is nice but thats all.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 02:44:00 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

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

Best Before 21 Mar 07

Poured into a Aventinus glass a nice clear dark brown color, nice carbonation, a nice 2 finger plus tannish foamy head which then left some sticky lacing. The nose is of sweet roasted malts, and caramel. The taste is slightly dry and malty. There is also a nice touch of sweetness/bitterness to the flavor. Medium body. Very drinkable, only my second Young's brew to date. Highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2007 19:51:27 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

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

Pours with a one-finger light brown head leaving a good lace. Totally black color. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Nose is nutty. Starts with a bitter-sweet chocolate flavor and finishes smooth with just a hint of dryness. $2.50 for a 12oz bottle, from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2005 00:43:54 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an nonic)

A- This beer had a creamy tan head with a jet black body which separated in the famous nitro-tap style.

S- This beer has a chocolate malt hint that was smooth but the aroma was pretty faint.

T- This beer has a creamy pot caramel note with some dark malt flavors that were smooth. There was a faint bittering hops note that came through after it had warmed quite a bit.

M- This beer had a full creamy mouthfeel with a slight watery quality to the finish. The head added to the mouthfeel with each sip.

D- This beer has a thin mellow flavor and not much of interest or complexity.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-14-2006 18:19:53 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 16.9 oz brown bottle with the Ram Brewery emblem right below the neck. “Best Before End” freshness date on the back label.

Appearance: Nice lather of tan bubbles that hug to the inside of the glass, this is one dark brew as no light can be seen through the pitch black colour.

Smell: Faint liquorice root, vague vanilla, sweet creamed coffee and a ghost like charred smokiness in the aroma from the roasted malts and oatmeal.

Taste: So damn smooth with a creamy back, the soft carbonation literally curls around the tongue and caresses it showing an out standing mouth feel. A push of mild charcoal with a touch of smokiness, hints of dark chocolate and suggestions of vanilla is a result of roasted malts and the malt and oat sweetness. Hops a light but pitch in to balance the brew out. Slight puckering from the dry roasted malt character that throws some easygoing burnt flavours as well as a trace coffee. Semi dry finish lingers long with light roasted tones.

Notes: A top notch oatmeal stout, not so heavy to take away from the drinkability and does not lack in flavour or complexity. One of my favourite beers from Young’s and one I frequent when I am looking for a full flavoured stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2002 13:13:18 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

16.9 ounce bottle sampled, has freshness dating notched onto the label. Pours the expected black, with light coming thru the edges, with a tan head and some sticky lacing on the glass after every sip. Nose is light licorish, and some burnt grain. Dark chocolate, mocha, minerally slate notes. World renowned smooth mouthfeel evident and noted on the tongue and entire mouth, vanilla in the finish. Classic dark brew, understated and British in attack. Fine, tasty quaffer, well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2005 21:22:36 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

14.9oz nitro can bought as a single from Harrington's Wine & Liquors, Chelmsford, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a super-dense 3/4" dark tan head over the opaque dark brown/black brew. Had the whole nitro cascading thing going on, as expected, that I always like to watch. Head is SO thick, lasts and lasts, with superb full-coverage lacing. Aroma is lightly of dark malts, but frankly not much going on here. Taste is chocolate malts and oats, with a slight bite of hops coupled with a slightly sour finish. Mouthfeel's got both the oatmeal and nitro working for it, hard to beat that combo, and drinkability is great as well. Always enjoyable.

Serving type: nitro-can

03-24-2005 01:19:21 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

2.6/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours a big BAD stout can just barely pass light through it.

Smell is Almost nothing! Very disappointing, I expected a lot more! I Smell More but nothing is There!

Big smoky Charcoal Taste. And that is about it.

Mouthfeel, OK.

Drinkability. Too one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2004 03:25:10 | More by Zorro

Bighuge

Minnesota

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

Almost black. Nice clarity. Nice creamy long lasting brown head. Nose consists of some burnt cocao, roasted malts and in contrast, some sweet milky tones. The taste is soothing and comforting. A nice blend of lactic sweet tones and bittersweet chocolate tones. Very easy drinking. Mouthfeel is velvety and the body is about medium full.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2004 05:39:39 | More by Bighuge