Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Style: Stout
Boonville, California USA

Dark brown/black pour. Medium to full bodied. Smells of coffee and dark chocolate, roasted malts. Tastes of the same with a sweet oat finish, slightly bitter but not overly. Great for what it is. I am really not big on the style but the beer is well made.

I am not a big fan of things called "Barney"-anything after having disturbing images seared into my head thanks to a goofy, ambiguously gay purple dinosaur...and the cops, who people also call "Barney" sometimes. This Barney was a pleasant surprise, however. Roasted malts, coffee/chocolate flavors, oaty creaminess. Full mouthfeel. I approve of this Barney, but strongly disapprove of the others.

Deep, dark brown with moderately full body, too much carbonation and no personality whatsoever.

Gorgeous nose. True oatmeal, sugar cane, white chocolate and fresh malt. Black as night with a brown head. Looks inviting! Curious; hits the mouth with a distinct taste of black olives..but its not unpleasent! Some sourness further in and the olives hang around and don’t give any room for oatmeal. The malt does get a say in the background, and its nice roast. Still, I was expecting more of a oatmeal profile....especially after the promising aroma.

Pours dark ebony into an English pint. Long lasting mocha head leaves spot lacing as it recedes to coat surface. Dusty cocoa aromas. Sour cherry and musk from front to back. Lasting chocolate finish.

Bottle. So, following two drainpours I’m wondering what is in the cards for the night and head for something that I think will be a safe pick. Pour is a lovely dark brown with a tan head that sits at about two fingers before it starts dying back and lacing on the side of the pint glass. Aromas are a compelling mix of chocolate and coffee with a hint of dark fruits surfacing inconsistently. This is a much better start than my earlier forays. Flavor has a sour edge to it that is a little odd and makes me wonder if it is intentional. Since Ratebeer is down, I’ll have to wait to find out if this is something that others are picking up as well. Still, things are OK… chocolate is a main draw and the sourness seems to be connected to a plum/prune flavoring.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a thick short lived tannish head, some lacing, over an opaque black body....nose of bread, yeast, chocolate, coffee, molasses, grain....tastes of malts, molasses, then finishes with mild hop bitterness....mouthfeel creamy, thick, heavy. Meets the style.

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a medium size foamy head with average retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of black chocolate with some light dry roasted malt notes. Taste is also a well balance mix between some dry roasted malt notes with some nice black chocolate notes. Creamy texture is really enjoyable with some good carbonation. Very well done and well balance while still being easily drinkable.