Barley Island Brass Knuckles Oatmeal Stout

Brewed by Barley Island Brewing
Style: Sweet Stout
Noblesville, Indiana USA

Serve in English pint

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Dark pour with a brown crown of deliciousness. I have to thank Optigon again for this, that dude is one hell of a trader. I would never have tried an oatmeal stout otherwise. I loved this brew. Roasted malt, chocolate, lingering flavor on the palate and not overly thick as you would think. Very good.

UPDATED: MAR 5, 2012 If you ever find yourself visiting the Noblesville brewery, this is one of the best bets on the rotating tap list. As far as oatmeal stouts go, Brass Knuckles ranks somewhere in the middle for me. A thick, full-bodied pour creates a head that is darker than you would imagine, but the aftertaste leaves something more to desire. There is still a lot going for this one, though, and I would rank it toward the top of what Barley Island has to offer. They are a hit-and-miss microbrewery nowadays, but this is always a nice mainstay.

I was not expecting this to be such a deep black but there it is. It’s head is just huge too and long lasting to the point where it’s still sitting there a few inches thick when you want to just get right down and start drinking it. This is a big, sweet brew w/ balance provided by roasted malts. Aroma is more subdued than the flavor and has the expected chocolate but an unfortunate bit of cardboard. This drinks a bit bigger that it’s 4.9% ABV but definitely in a good full-bodied way and not a sticky way. To be honest, I think this is a really good beer but in less than perfect condition, probably a bit old. I want to give Barley Island the benefit of the doubt but I can’t figure out when it was bottled based on the bottle.

Chocolate and coffee on the nose, this ale is deep brown with a short lived tan head. Taste is medium sweetness, followed by lightly bitter and sour notes. Body is a little light for an oatmeal stout, texture is slick, carbonation is soft, and finish is slightly bitter but rather abrupt. In summary, this is a sessionable oatmeal stout that I’d not turn down but not seek out, unless its time to get my oatmeal on. (Oh yes I did.)

Date: January 18, 2012 Mode: Bottle Source: Crown Liqour Description: Opaque dark brown pour with some head that did not last and no lacing. Aroma was roasted malt and oats. Taste is similar with some coffee and sweet chocolate.

12oz bottle pour. leaves the bottle damn near black and with a minimal tan head. looks really nice in the glass! roasted malts, coffee beans and some chocolate hit your nose. the texture is creamy and full bodied. you pick up on some roasted coffee flavor and chocolate but neither are overpowering. very tasty.

Full bodied beer with a strong blend of malts and chocolate. Pours pitch black and it great alone or with a meal. Finishes smooth.

Sweet malts in aroma. The flavor is mild coffee, chocolate and smooth in texture. Subtle in flavor, the coffee is the dominating flavor although not dominating, a very good all the way through.

[Bottle] Nearly black, clear pour with a light brown head. Roasted malts, oatmeal, chocolate and coffee in the aroma. Similar roasted grain taste throughout. Distinct smoky notes add a pleasant dimension to this brew. Sweet chocolate and residual brown sugars keep this beer on the sweet side despite the smoke. Burnt bread and light vanilla hints in the finish. A nice body and pleasant finish. A good one.

Dark roasted malt aroma. Pours pitch black with thick brown head. Lots of dark malt flavor with lingering roast malt aftertaste. Some dark malt astringency which is okay. Overall a very nice oatmeal stout.

12 oz. bottle. $1.60 single @ Binny’s. Nice chocolatey smell in the bottle neck. Also in the glass, with no sourness like a regular stout, nor alcohol. Tan colored head atop a opaque black body. Taste is very smooth as befits an oatmeal stout. Dark malts without the bitter "roastiness." Malt is thick and sticky on my lip. Again, alcohol in moderation here. Easy to take down with no ill effects.I would wish this had secondary fermentation instead of carbonation for an even smoother texture, but it’s wonderful just as it is.