Nils Oscar Coffee Stout - the Nils Oscar Company

bort11

Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a pub glass. Dark hazel head is a little thin, with a few specks on the glass. Color is a dense black/brown with spots of mahogany highlights around the edges.

Smell and taste is not just coffee, it's really, really good quality coffee. Nothing burnt, but perfectly dark roasted. Thin hint of baker's chocolate in the nose. Taste finishes with dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel is a mild cream texture. Smooth, but leaves a fine grit of espresso grounds. Excellent beer to finish the night.

Big thanks to ShrLSU and the Coffee BIF for this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 04:14:49 | More by bort11

theghost3

Louisiana

4.53/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brown/black with a 1-finger tan head that dissapates quickly. No lacing.

The scent is strong of roasted coffee, sweet malts, & dark chocolate. The taste is delicious--quality coffee/mochaccino, sweet malts, brown sugar & cocoa. Mouthfeel is smooth, not as acidic as expected, but that's a good thing.

This is a very drinkable stout. The coffee is fantastic in that it is so smooth & very much quality. It almost tastes more like coffee than beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 02:50:28 | More by theghost3

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into Sam Adams lager glass. Thanks to Chris (cvfish) for this awesome extra!

Pours darkest brown, black towards the top of the glass and just barely opaque at the narrowest point. Nice creamy one-finger khaki head that last for a long while. Gorgeous lacing.

Nose is nice - dark roasted, fresh ground coffee and some underlying roasted malt. Hints of smooth baker's chocolate. There's an earthy, almost vegetal quality to it that really lends a freshness to the aroma. Really nice.

Taste is fresh ground coffee, with an underlying malt body that's sweet, full, and rich with notes of cocoa and roasty malt. Superbly balanced, with very little acidity at all. Refined, and the different aspects in the taste are blended together with perfect cohesion. Finish is long, rich and roasty.

Mouthfeel is full-bodied, with a beautiful creaminess from the head. Fantastic.

Rather shocking that this is a 6% beer - the body, the nose, the mouthfeel, everything about this leads you to believe you're drinking a much bigger beer. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2009 01:03:05 | More by JohnQVegas

Ljunkan

Sweden

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bishops Arms, Karlstad.

Deep brown, almost black color with a fingersized brown head.

Smells of espresso coffee, slightly of dark chocolate & roasted malt. Very nice actually... you can definitely think it's coffee you're smelling.

Taste is even better! Very nice coffee taste, with notes of bitter chocolate & liquorice. Ends bitter with some citrus.

Nice and filling mouthfeel, creamy, smooth and bitter. Overall, very nice... the best beer I've had from Nils Oscar!

A drinkable beer, even though it's nothing you need to have a pint of. A halfpint is enough.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2008 14:09:56 | More by Ljunkan

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark sable-brown, almost opaque, with a thick and fairly persistent pale tan head. Aroma is rich and smoky with a strong overtone of fine roast coffee and hints of toffee and chocolate. Flavor fills the mouth with fine coffee that has a firm tone of unsweetened chocolate and hints of toffee and caramel with a good smoky overtone. Flavor is thick, smooth as glass, and just a little fizzy. Satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2009 00:42:08 | More by Cyberkedi

Bananaman

Sweden

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Ah, great pleasure to be one of the first ones to try this beer. Had it on tap at Bishop's Arms - Karlstad.

Looks really nice! Deep black color with hints of red when put against the light. Would have liked to have it in a nicer glass though. Bishop's Arms 25 cl house glass isn't very satisfying.

Smells amazing! Lots of spicy/earthy high quality coffee in the nose. Some hints of dark chocolate too I think, but that might be the coffee.

Taste is brilliant too, a great deal of spicy coffee together with some nice hoppiness and maltiness. Really filling mouthfeel to, great!

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2008 12:20:03 | More by Bananaman

dqrull

Sweden

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Approx 1 year old bottle.

Pours a black liquid with very light almost unnoticeable red tinges at the edges. A big, thick creamy head crowning it, leaving clumps of lacing on the glass.

A filling smells, with rich fruity coffee along with strong note s of bitter high%-cocoa chocolate. Some fruits from the malt adds to the richness along with a hint of almonds.

Taste is also rich, I would go as far as to say that it is extremely rich for the modest ABV. Again the really rich fruitiness comes along with a great sensation of well-roasted (not burnt) coffee, the coffee-taste lingers along with a huge prescense of dark chocolate, but not as bitter as was hinted at in the nose, it actually is more reminiscent of really dark milk chocolate. While the chocolate and coffee entertains each other in a masterful dance the fruits provide a formidable background, with raisins and prunes initially, transforming into dark berries, blackberries and blueberries towards the ends, not very prominent, but still very enjoyable and fitting. Finishes with a moderate bitterness and a slight tartness that is what makes me think of ripe dark berries.

Mouthfeel is luxurious with a very smooth liquid and a light carbonation of small bubbles.

I've had this beer several times before, but this was my last bottle that I had saved for the longest, almost a year, and to me it is very evident that the beer has benefitted greatly from it. From memory I think the beers coffee-profile has backed up a bit to leave room for the mature notes of dark fruits and a more pronounced chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 19:51:56 | More by dqrull

champ103

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown with some ruby highlights around the edges. At first a one finger tan head forms that recedes to a ring. Very light lace is left behind.
S: A huge roasted malt aroma. Chocolate and coffee dominate. Very dry. Very rich and inviting.
T: Lots of roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate again. Again, very rich. Dry wood. A great beer.
M/D: A rich, creamy, and full body that is perfectly carbonated for the style. Very dry. Easy and smooth to drink. A stout I can quaff several off.

A great coffee stout. One I highly recommend. At only 6% I can enjoy several in a sitting. Unlike many other huge impy stouts that are one and done.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2009 00:58:43 | More by champ103

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 ounce bottle. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. This definitely is a coffee stout, I mostly smell coffee but there's also some roasted malt and dark chocolate noticable in the aroma. The taste is similar to the aroma, coffee is strongest in the taste but there's also roasted malt, dark chocolate, and also a little bit of citrusy hops in the finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy and a bit oily with average carbonation. Drinkability is very good, it's smooth and goes down pretty easy. I have to say this is a good beer, I'd definitely pick this up again. It's a good, enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2009 00:49:27 | More by bluejacket74

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle into a snifter.

Pours a dense black, with a finger of frothy mocha colored head. Retains with a creamy ring around the edges and some thin wisps that swirl around the middle, leaving a solid cascade spotty yet creamy lacing back. The aroma is dark and delicious smelling, with roasted coffee permeating the bouquet, with a bit of a citrus presence to it, that mixes with some big sweet notes of chocolate and caramel to impart an nice and thick underlying tang to the nose.

The taste packs a pervasive crunchy tasting coffee and dark roast combo, which mixes with some moderate hop character, and really blooms out nicely in the back into a dry and slightly astringent bitterness. All of these darker flavors are well balanced by some thick and chewy tasting notes OF chocolate, molassses, and even some light citrus. I would have to say that the sweetness maybe actually be the dominant character in this but it's all so well balanced by the bitterness, it's hard to pinpoint which takes control the most. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied in the mouth, with a creamy texture to the carbonation that lends this a very easy feel on the palate. Really nice drinkibility for a 6% ABV.

This was a pleasant surprise for sure from Nils Oscar, especially since I haven't exactly been blown away by their other offerings. Full, roasty, loaded with an even mix of coffee and sweet malts, with a great drinkibility to it. As a coffee lover, this was a pleasant treat.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2009 19:18:06 | More by Kegatron

EliottJW

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer pours very lightly... that is to say that I'm not entirely excited by its consistency, but the coloring is right with a deep, dark brown. retains it's mocha head quite nicely as well with light lacing as I drink it down.

the nose is extremely mild on this one... while all that I'd like to smell in a coffee stout is present (milk chocolate, roasted, sweet coffee), it's just entirely too mild. sticking my nose all the way in the last is the only way to get any kind of whiff.

on the tongue, it's pure whole cream in a cup off black coffee. that's the only way to describe it... where founders breakfast stout is a black cup of coffee, this beer is a half cup of coffee and a half cup of whole cream. it's good, definitely... surprised me with how creamy it was.

consistency stays right in line with the taste, like a cup of cream filled coffee... it's a medium body, but actually feels as though there's some cream stirred in.

this beer is extremely drinkable... extremely! I could suck back a full 6 pack of this stuff and not even notice... it's kinda dangerous!

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2009 21:07:34 | More by EliottJW

rarbring

Sweden

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is very dark brown, almost black, a beige rather small head with some lacing.

Dark burnt bread, coffee and very dark chocolate in the smell. A sweetness of raisins are there as well.

The coffee and chocolate is also very present in the taste, some bitter notes complement a dried fruit sweetness.

A mild carbonation and creamy fluid.

A beer perfect for creamy desserts, or by its own ...

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2010 19:41:06 | More by rarbring

Ch1mpy

Sweden

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Temporarily available at the Systembolaget stores from November 2008.

Black colour with a brown head. Little lacing.

Distinct espresso smell. At first you only sense the bitterness of the coffee but after a few sniffs you discover a fresh spiciness.

Taste is dominated by a bitter espresso but there is also a presence of hops and citrus fruits.

The best part of the Rwanda Gatsinga coffee stout is in my opinion the mouthfeel which is extremely smooth and leaves a pleasant malty coffee-dominated aftertaste and a smile on your face.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 19:34:06 | More by Ch1mpy

cvfish

Louisiana

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - This beer poured a black color with brown highlights around the edge, produced a tan fluffy head that good retention and laced on the side of the glass nicely

S - The aromas produced were everything you could ask of a Coffee Stout, strong roasted malts and freshly ground coffee bean aroma

T - This beer is defiantly strong on the coffee side, but the roasted malts and bitter chocolate are still present. The coffee is really fresh tasting

M - The mouth of this beer was not spot on for me, it had a medium body, but was still very smooth and creamy, and it had a light amount of carbonation

D - This was a great Stout, special thanks to Dan Stein for bringing this one in and recommending it, it was a fantastic Stout that did not disappoint me

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2009 22:26:14 | More by cvfish

DoctorDog

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 11.2oz. bottle into a snifter. Label indicates "Scandinavian Craft Brewers Guild" on the back.

A- Deep dark brown, completely opaque in appearance. Pours with 1/2 a finger of light brown head, which fades rapidly, leaving only a thin ring. Minimal spotty lacing.

S- Roasted, earthy, slightly acidic coffee, with an slight underlying sweetness.

T- Strong coffee and bitter chocolate. Nice malty flavor coming in under the coffee notes, and providing a bit of sweetness and balance. This is really working for me.

M- Moderate fine bubble carbonation is fairly refreshing on the tongue. Medium feel, very slightly creamy, and fairly smooth. Not what I'm usually looking for in a stout, but in this instance, does not detract substantially.

D- Excellent. This stout was surprisingly refreshing. As a coffee fiend, the taste was one I could swill all day long. Moderately low ABV.

Future outlook: If you don't like black coffee, don't try this beer. If (like me) you do, then by all means give it a try if you can. It doesn't feel "like a stout," but it's still a great coffee beer. Unfortunately for myself, this beer is made in Sweden, is fairly pricey, and I don't anticipate regular access to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2009 04:38:16 | More by DoctorDog

eriktoyra

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle stored away for one year in the cellar.

A: Pours a black liquid into the glass. The fudge colored head is foamy and about one finger high. Thick curtains on the glass. Nice!

S: It smells of dark roasted coffe, raisins and plum. The coffee smell is rather mild. I can also find some earthy and spicy tones. Maybe some dark chocolate also.

T: Not as much coffee as I expected up front. Dark chocolate, heavily roasted malts and some raisins. The coffee is more dominant at the end. The aftertastes can be described as bitter chocolate with roasted coffee beans.

M: Oily texture, almost like a milk stout. I guess there are quite a lot of wheat malts in this one. Medium body with low carbonation. Very smooth.

O: A nice and potent coffee stout. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 20:06:25 | More by eriktoyra

glid02

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this in a trade with ShrLSU - thanks!

Pours black with dark brown highlights and a one-finger tan head. The head recedes fairly quickly into a thin layer on top leaving webbed lacing.

Smells of roasted coffee and espresso with a nice amount of roasted malt. As it warms hints of unsweetened chocolate waft out but this is all about the coffee aromas.

Tastes similar to how it smells. The roasted malt flavors are a bit stronger than the smell led me to believe but the main taste remains roasted coffee and espresso. The ending is solidly bitter and coffee flavors linger in the aftertaste. As with the smell, unsweetened chocolate flavors join in as it warms.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with soft carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I had no problem finishing the bottle and could easily have a few more.

Overall this is a very smooth coffee stout, and with a bit more thickness it could be excellent. Still, even as it is it's well worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2009 21:38:49 | More by glid02

KYbrewgal

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma of roasted malt and carmel and toffee, slight coffee. Pours dark brown with a tan head that lingers. A smooth coffee flavor with no harshness or bitter "bite"; chocolate flavor, toffee or toasted sugar, medium mouthfeel. Tastes like an English style base beer. Low hop flavor that balances the malt sweetness. Long finish of roast and coffee.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 16:35:17 | More by KYbrewgal

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.13/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours deep brown with red hues, almost black. The small pale brown head sinks quickly into some lacings.

S: Roasted dark malts with some black coffee, but rather mild and smooth. Some dark dried fruits lures in the back. Some dark bitter chocolate as well. Balanced.

T: Coffee, chocolate, vanilla and heavily roasted malts, a bit burnt makes this beer quite complex. Some bitter hops and some dark dried fruits as well.

M: Aftertaste is on the shorter side but lovely bitter. Body is full and very smooth/creamy while carbonation is held back.

O: Nice, balanced and complex, but still very modest.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 18:31:18 | More by Sunnanek

trafordboy

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black color with a brown head. Little lacing.

Distinct espresso smell. At first you only sense the bitterness of the coffee but after a few sniffs you discover a fresh spiciness.

Taste is dominated by a bitter espresso but there is also a presence of hops and citrus fruits.

The best part of the Rwanda Gatsinga coffee stout is in my opinion the mouthfeel which is extremely smooth and leaves a pleasant malty coffee-dominated aftertaste and a smile on your face.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2009 19:05:25 | More by trafordboy

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Root Cellar.

Poured dark brown color with an average frothy brown head that was mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate complex roasted coffee and malt aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Medium to heavy coffee bittersweet flavor with a medium to heavy bittersweet finish of moderate duration.

Good brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2009 01:09:30 | More by tmoneyba

GbVDave

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a Val-Dieu goblet.

A: Pours a dark, cola-black with some faint lightening at the edges. One-finger, khaki-colored head recedes quickly to a thick, bubbly ring that leaves some pretty lace behind.

S: Rich aroma of dark roast coffee, with hints of milk chocolate, fudge, dark chocolate, and some citrus-y hops lurking in the background, for effect.

T: Tangy and bitter espresso roast coffee with a dusting of cocoa, plus fudge, milk chocolate, blackened malt, and some lemon-y hops. Cherry and toast in the finish.

M: Slightly on the thin side, sort of like a porter. Chocolate and coffee run the gamut from bitter to sweet to dry to roasty.

D: This beer went so fast! I think the slightly thin mouthfeel contributes greatly to what makes this so damn drinkable. Very refreshing coffee stout treat that isn't a 13% booze bomb.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2009 00:30:52 | More by GbVDave

bark

Sweden

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The colour is pinch black; the three finger head is warm pale brown. It sinks slowly to a finger thick head with a massive crater. Very little lacing occurs.

The smell is dry and sour-bitter. Dry and elegant notes of strong coffee, lots of heavily roasted malt. Did I find notes of rye? Hints of crackers and dark chocolate.

The taste is fresh and a little bitter. Then, a perfect taste of somewhat citric espresso coffee emerges. Sweet creamy notes of cocoa, newly grinded coffee, some beef stock and a flowery touch. Full bodied. The aftertaste brings a mild warming flavour of alcohol, fine notes of coffee and Brie cheese, lemon peels and balancing mild background bitterness. The finish adds some more beef stock.

The carbonation is medium to mild, the bubbles small. The liquid is creamy, very creamy for a 6% beer.

I have tried this beer from keg, and I must say that the coffee flavours were even more present than the bottled version.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 19:55:10 | More by bark

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nils Oscar Rwanda Gatsinga Coffee Stout, brewed and bottled by Nils Oscar Bryggeri, Nykoping, Sweden. Stout brewed with fair trade coffee. 11.2 oz.

Deep black color, rich, roasted espresso-like ring of foam, small and soon-gone.

Aroma: cocoa hits first, rich and luxurious, sweet, so sweet that I never notice the coffee. Figs, date, chocolate-covered carob. Molasses, maple, motor oil. Deep and ridiculously rich. Wow. Nice.

Tasting: smoothness takes on complexity. Roasted malts over all, fairly clean flavor, not giving off the complexity felt in the aroma. Excellent balance, beautiful, lush malt, tasty, with a light finish. Rolls easily off the palate. Does it's bit and exits.

I could ask for more, more, more, but there's nothing wrong with just giving you enough.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 00:40:17 | More by feloniousmonk

scottyshades

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pitch black color that produces a think coffee color head that dissipates quickly...Hardly any lacing along the glass but who cares

The nose is comprised of ground coffee and espresso beans that give a waft of vanilla flavoring to it. All malts here

The flavor profile is largely espresso with coffee. Chocolate, molasses, caramel, and the toasted/burnt malt flavoring

The mouthfeel and drinkability are both excellent. Finishes a little dry and bitter...very good

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2009 02:08:25 | More by scottyshades