Overview for the Oatmeal Stout

The Oatmeal Stout is very dark, full-bodied, roasty, malty ale with a complementary oatmeal flavor. The sweetness, balance, and oatmeal impression can vary considerably. Historically, the use of oatmeal in stouts originated in the 1800s, and were marketed as being “healthy” beers. The Oatmeal Stout was popular in England between the two World Wars and the style was revived during the modern craft beer era.

Style Expectations

A very dark, full-bodied, roasty, malty ale with a complementary oatmeal flavor. The sweetness, balance, and oatmeal impression can vary considerably.

Appearance

Medium brown to black in color. Thick, creamy, persistent tan- to brown-colored head. Can be opaque (if not, it should be clear).

Aroma

Mild roasted grain aromas, generally with a coffee-like character. A light malty sweetness can suggest a coffee-and-cream impression. Fruitiness should be low to medium-high. Diacetyl medium-low to none. Hop aroma medium-low to none, earthy or floral. A light grainy-nutty oatmeal aroma is optional.

Flavor

Similar to the aroma, with a mild roasted coffee to coffee-and-cream flavor, and low to moderately-high fruitiness. Oats and dark roasted grains provide some flavor complexity; the oats can add a nutty, grainy or earthy flavor. Dark grains can combine with malt sweetness to give the impression of milk chocolate or coffee with cream. Medium hop bitterness with the balance toward malt. Medium-sweet to medium-dry finish. Diacetyl medium-low to none. Hop flavor medium-low to none, typically earthy or floral.

Mouthfeel

Medium-full to full body, with a smooth, silky, velvety, sometimes an almost oily slickness from the oatmeal. Creamy. Medium to medium-high carbonation.

Reviews

Sticky Stout

Oatmeal Stout  •  Red Hare Brewing Company

Sticky Stout is an English-style Oatmeal Stout by Red Hare Brewing Company that blends roast malt, floral hops, and sweet dark fruit. Read More

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Upslope Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout  •  Upslope Brewing Company

Upslope Oatmeal Stout is an English-style Oatmeal Stout by Upslope Brewing Company that blends floral hops and coffee roast with dark chocolate and bready malt. Read More

Samuel Adams Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout  •  Boston Beer Company

Samuel Adams Oatmeal Stout is an English-style Oatmeal Stout by the Boston Beer Company that blends hops, roast, chocolate, and caramel with bready oats. Read More

Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout  •  Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout by Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster) is aromatic, rich and creamy. Its complex palate offers so much flavor for so little! Read More

Black House

Oatmeal Stout  •  Modern Times Beer

Black House is an Oatmeal Stout brewed by Modern Times Beer whose espresso flavor and creamy feel are a coffee lover’s delight. Read More

Lovely, Dark And Deep

Oatmeal Stout  •  Brewery Ommegang

Lovely, Dark And Deep, an English-style Oatmeal Stout by Brewery Ommegang that blends bready oats with coffee roast, dark chocolate, fig, and prune. Read More

Red Velvet (Nitro)

Oatmeal Stout  •  Ballast Point Brewing Company

Red Velvet (Nitro), an English-style Oatmeal Stout by Ballast Point Brewing Company blends sweet chocolate and beets with pine and oats. Read More

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