River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout - River Horse Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.58/5  rDev -35.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

On tap at The Ginger Man, Starts out with moldy taste and then overtaken by big coffee. Wierd and not too drinkable. The smell was not the roast I was expecting, rather neutral instead. I should have complained to try another, but have been warned that you don't get too far at this bar regardless of your bad experience. Colour was fine, as was carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 05:06:24 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour was decent, dark brown in color with a small, very quick head of light tan that left no lacing and hardly anything on top. This was worrisome for me at first as I was afraid it may have been a bit flat, but it was just the look that appeared a bit off. Aroma of deep roasted malts, light smoke and nice chocolate notes start to come through right away. Smooth, even and as it warm relatively unchanged. Light vanilla in here now as I take the first sip. A bit slick, I was expecting a bit fuller feel to it, but the taste still came across nicely. Smokey with nice notes of peat and burnt sugar mixing with a light chocolate and creamy lactose flavor. Nicely done. Each sip seem to get more and more smokey, which was a nice touch and the finish was just dry enough and left just enough sweetness on the tongue to leave me very pleased.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 02:08:34 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to mday for opening this at a recent tasting.

A: Pours near-black with a nice, thin tan head.

S: Plenty of roasted malt characteristics alongside a nice blend of coffee and chocolate.

T: Coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, hints of toffee, and a small but existent hop presence.

M: Smooth, medium-body with good carbonation.

D: Very nice. Not normally one of my favorite styles, but I loved the smooth nature of this alongside the very nice balance of coffee and chocolate flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 10:55:58 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours out a humble black body topped off with a frothed, bubbly, beige head.

Smell: Amiable aroma smelling lightly of roasted, dark malts housing notes of chocolate and unsweetened chocolate. Smattering of flaked oats as well as some meek, mild hints of dark fruit.

Taste: RHOMS has a moderately roasty start with tastes of chocolate and coffee and even Mayfield-brand Rocky Road ice cream. Medium-light sweetness throughout. Gentle touch of dark fruitiness in the background. Small hint of nutty oats in amongst the roasty malt flavors. Low degree of bitterness. Final hints of chocolate and coffee on the near-dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Properly smooth medium-plus body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Smooth and reasonably well-balanced. Not a bad little milk stout, really.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2010 22:26:07 | More by ChainGangGuy

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

RiverHorse's Oatmeal Milk Stout pours the black-bodied and creamy tan headed beauty that you might expect. The head retention is very good, and the lacing is more than adequate.

In the nose it's distinctly cocoa-ish and a touch fruity.

The flavor is not much different, but it is fuller and more complex. It's initially a touch fruity and sweetish, displaying more cocoa across the middle, and then some more distinctly chocolate-like notes with an edge of roastiness as you swallow. It lingers gently in the finish with a velvety side of cocoa and some toastiness and dying embers of roastiness. The bitterness is kept in check so that it maintains the sweet edge that's intended, but it's also solid enough to anchor it and help to dry the finish. A hint of dark malt acidity also helps it.

Nicely done! I've been more and more impressed with the beers from River Horse within the last year and a half or so, and this one really helps to bolster my opinion of them.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2009 23:39:37 | More by NeroFiddled

WesWes

New York

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep, dark black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a really nice black, chocolate, and roasted malt scent along with a hint of lactose. The taste is good. It has a sharp, roasted flavor that boasts of black and chocolate malts. It goes down easy and finishes dry with the slightest bit of sweetness. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn fine sweet stout. It has excellent malt complexity and isn't overly sweet; just right.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2009 21:18:21 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer poured into a goblet. Beer is black and forms a thin brown head of small bubbles. Head leaves some lacing on the glass.

Beer has a mild, roasty aroma, kind of like coffee. Overall light.

Beer is surprisingly light in body but overall creamy in the mouth. All the flavors are pretty subdued though. Some bitterness in the back but only mild to moderate sweetness up front. No oatmeal so I guess its just a body component but it doesn't really fill out the beer. Its pretty mild and overall drinkable. Its pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 02:50:14 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a small, thin tan head. It left some thin trails of lace.

S - It smelled of oatmeal, molasses and hints of chocolate. It had a sight floral aroma, too.

T - It tasted of sweet molasses, chocolate and caramel. It had some bitterness from oatmeal and hops to balance it out.

M - It was soft, smooth and creamy. A medium-bodied stout that was quite easy drinking.

D - I really like this sweet stout. It is a deliciously balanced version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2009 22:49:26 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is nearly jet black in color (only some traces of amber were noticeable at the bottom of the glass when it is held up to the light. It poured into a pint glass with a thin creamy tan head that faded away but left wispy patterns of bubbles floating on the surface.
S: The smell is slightly sweet and has aromas of chocolate and coffee with hints of roasted malts.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has some flavors of milk chocolate. There are some hints of bitterness in the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied, somewhat smooth and slightly creamy on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: I had no problem drinking this and could have easily have a few of these in one night.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2011 02:52:57 | More by metter98

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This brew was labeled as a brewer's reserve when I had it back in 2010. The beer poured out as a nice deep black color with a nice tan/brown colored head on it. The smell of the beer was roasted, even a little chocolaty. The taste of the beer had a pretty good sweetness to it. The roasted malts were nice and left a sweet aftertaste. The mouthfeel of the beer was a little on the thin side to me, I wasn't too impressed there. Overall this beer was decent, I don't see why it was a "brewer's reserve" but if they want to say that I guess they can.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 03:56:16 | More by Knapp85

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: pours a black color with a big 2"+ tan colored head that lasts. Some mild lacing develops.

Smell: roasted malts and hints of dark chocolate are picked up by the nose.

Taste: roasted malts, light amount of chocolate, hints of coffee and a mild bitterness make up a nice flavored stout. There is a mild creamy quality to this throughout.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp to start, smooth through the finish. The flavors linger softly on the tongue after the swallow. Medium bodied beer.

Drinkability: this is a great session stout despite the slightly higher alcohol contents. Now one of my favorite beers from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2008 19:38:32 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black with some dark brown hues and a tan/light brown head that is sizeable at first, then descends to a lasting thin cover.

The smell is of chocolate with some roasted coffee and a vague fruitiness/earthiness.

The taste is of chocolate, dark bread and some raosted coffee. Not quite as sweet as some classic examples of the style, but that sits well with me. Leans sweet enough to fit with style, but with an earthy, slightly roasty dryness in the finish.

It has a creamy medium-to-full body.

A nice stout - doesn't quite have the lactose and sweetness that others have - but, as a sweet-ish stout, it's very nice. Alcohol is reasonably, but not completely, well-covered. If it were more so (or lowered), I could easily drink plenty of this one. As it is - still very drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 04:16:21 | More by jwc215

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a five+ finger tan head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Opaque dark brown color. Light-medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Molasses nose. Flavor is sweet molasses and coffee. $1.83 for a 12oz bottle from Manchester Wine and Liquors Manchester, CT.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2009 23:13:22 | More by jdhilt

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a deep roasted coffee color with dark burgundy highlights around the edges when held up to the light. The head was fizzy, and khaki in color and displayed a rather short retention span while the lacing was very slight.

S: moderate in strength with dark roasted barley and coffee with a earthy bitterness. Some dry creamer notes but not much else complexity wise. Was a little disappointed here.

T: The flavor was dark roasted watered down coffee beans, bitter, with a touch of dry lactose. A slight acidic bite of burnt malt lingers about on the finish. Once again didn't find a lot of complexity here. Lacked a creamy and milky presence and came off fizzy and chalky. Was more of a dried powdery creamer taste. A quick watered down coffee finish rounds things out in an otherwise less then climatic finish.

M: light, a little rough around the edges and very overcarbonated per style. Would of perfered a creamy, silky texture, this was sodapop fizzy, chalky, and lacked substance.

D: only slightly above average here. Way overcarbonated, lacked a real milky and cremay nature and cant say this was particular good when compared to such staples as Youngs, or even Sam Adams and Lancasters milk stout which I found to be exceptional. Much better out there by style. This was also a little on the high side abv wise which would limit multiples.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2009 23:24:30 | More by beerthulhu

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Its pure black body and bleach white head have a sort of Oreo cookie thing going on. The contrast is most visually appealing and its creamy head appears, fortunately, intent on lasting the full course. The body is opaque and only against a bright afternoon sunlight does it afford even the slightest highlighting.

Surprising to me because I remarked on the appearance before ever smelling the beer, its aroma also draws the mind to Oreo cookies. Perhaps it is the power of suggestion but I doubt it. A dark, roasty chocolaty biscuit flavour is accompanied by a sugary vanilla lining. This smell has me thinking cookies and milk. And it's making me hungry.

But thoughts quickly switch from dessert to breakfast with the unmistakable taste of coffee in the flavour. I'd be shocked if actual coffee wasn't used in the recipe. In the aftertaste, another breakfast staple, oatmeal, is also vividly tasted. Bittersweet chocolate is also present, layered in a roasted and tobacco-like smokiness.

The mouthfeel completes the profile. It is creamy and milky with more smokiness and roast lingering than bitterness. It is quenching and quaffable. The flavours are robustly displayed but the texture is velvety and ultra smooth. The coffee bean taste is far from astringent and blends well into the beer. It's hard to believe this is almost 7% alcohol!

River Horse asks us to "break out of the ordinary" which may be more of a 'do as I say and not as I do' kind of thing. All of their beers I've yet to try were very ordinary styles, albeit ones brewed fantastically. What I do intend to break out in the future is definitely more River Horse offerings; I hope they're all as good as this one!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2009 19:45:49 | More by biegaman

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured 1/4 finger of tan head. Leaves some lace. Color is a deep caramel brown.

Aroma: Chocolate, lactose, roasted malts, light coffee, some vanilla.

Taste: Big burnt malt flavor up front. But a lactose sweetness follows up. SOme milk chocolate and light coffee.

Mouthfeel: Roasted, sweet, and bitter. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends with cocoa notes.

Overall, not bad, but a bit burnt of the tongue. Somewhat drinkable for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 23:48:41 | More by mothman

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I picked this up at Thirsty's in East York PA. Poured chilled in my mug
A - A lot like root beer in appearance-deep brown w/ a smooth frothy tan head of 2 fingers w/ tiny pin sized bubbles and nice streams of lace

S - Deep roasty coffee notes w/ lots of mocha and milk chocolate w/ subtle vanilla aroma- very mild in all other respects. Not much yeast or hop scent to speak of, just dark malt

M - Silky smooth like a beer milkshake w/ creamy milky notes w/ plenty of roastiness you'd expect from a stout. A slight spiced pine hint whcih gives it a feel that is balanced and interesting - on the mark w/ spot on carbonation.

T - A deep roasted coffee richness w/ nice chocolate malt textures and a slight hoppy flavor w/ both spice and pine hops that marry w/ the vanilla cream flavor of the milk part of the oatmeal stout. The malt is full and sligthly dry giving subtle complexity

D - A great stout-I really enjoyed the full flavor combo of smooth malt and creamy milk stou in one bottle - Very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2008 04:42:30 | More by Slatetank

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle.

Poured a dark black color with brown edges and virtually no head at all. What head was there was off white. Aromas of chocolate, some oatmeal, roast, and some lactose. Tastes of oats, caramel, chocolate, light coffee. and roast. Thin and somewhat flat body.

Hmmm, after puting in my rating and then reading the others, I can't help but wonder if there was something wrong with my bottle. Especially from the flat pour to flatter body. I may have to give this one another shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2008 03:21:08 | More by hopdog

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Nice full inch of mocha head beer is a deep dark black with mild carbonation bubbles
S - Light mocha and lactose in the nose. Smell is sweet.
T - Mild roast and milk sugar sweetness. Defiantly one of the better milk stouts I had.
M - Medium bodied good beer.

Overall one of the best beers I believe River Horse makes. If I ever order from Halftime Beverage again I will pick up a six pack. Great quality stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 23:45:50 | More by DrDemento456

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smells of chocolate and cream, some oats. Taste like it smells, oats and cream, a bit sweet. Feels creamy in the mouth and has good drinkability. Overall this makes for a fine brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2009 18:39:41 | More by tone77

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is a very dark, black-ish beer, with a tan head. The coffee-like aroma is mixed with grain, distant smoke, and a bit of dark malt smells. For taste, this beer is drier than I expected, but still robust, with a firm bitterness and some grain and highly roasted malt flavors. It has a heavy body, with a very smooth, dense, and mouth-filling feel. All in all, this is a solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 23:41:04 | More by Suds

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours jet black with a finger high tan head. There is good head retention on the beer and moderate amounts of lacing on the glass.

S: Moderate aromas of dark roasted malts, oats, molasses, and chocolate.

T: Flavors of sweet oatmeal (like a cookie), chocolate, and cream. Nice complexity and balance to the flavor. Not as sweet as I expected and very little bitterness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Creamy and smooth.

O: Quite nice for an oatmeal & milk stout - a combination that I really enjoyed. Easy to drink and quite sessionable and a beer that was enjoyed by all of my guests at the Super Bowl party. Probably the best offering from this brewery that I have experienced.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 14:03:12 | More by dbrauneis

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

River Horse- Oatmeal Milk Stout

A- Deep dark brown with a huge, over carbonated, head. Big thick lacing.
S- Sweet milk chocolate with molasses and vanilla.
T- Molasses oatmeal cookies with milk chocolate, vanilla, and light roast coffee beans.
M- Sticky sweet and slightly grainy with a dry bittering coffee finish.

Overall- Very enjoyable and possibly River Horse's best beer!

**Re-reviewed 1/4/09**
Delicious!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 16:24:18 | More by NJpadreFan

srandycarter

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Very close to black, not much head. Sudsy ring left only.

S - Fresh baked cookies, cocoa, chocolate milk and coffee.

T - Taste emulates smell. Not very pronounced, nor watery. Nice even finish.

M - Medium bodied, so so carb, great balance, good coating.

D - Pretty darned quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2009 05:58:47 | More by srandycarter

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark brown body that is mostly opaque with about one finger of brown head that is a bit soapy looking and has some ok retention. Some sheets of lacing are left behind.

The aroma has all kinds of sweet malt, but really smells like coffee with lots of cream and sugar in it.

The flavor is not nearly as sweet as the aroma. Lots of coffee again, and a touch of coffee with cream and sugar comes through, but the coffee flavor is much stronger than in the aroma. Also, roasted malts are pretty noticeable. Pretty substantial hop presence adds a citrus flavor to the background.

Good mouthfeel. Moderate to creamy with moderate carbonation.

Pretty drinkable, a solid beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2009 06:43:18 | More by Hojaminbag