Carolina Brewery Oatmeal Stout

Draught during my NC brew tour. This is black stout indeed. Perhaps some slight red hues come through. A firm tan head floats for quite some time. There is a thick oatmeal cookie aroma with solid chocolate and coffee presence. The brew is very hearty, oaty, with a moderate chocolate sweetness. The finish leaves a considerable hop bite on the tongue for the style. Very solid and balanced stout.

From notes 11/17/03: Pours an inky black color with a proud tan head. Creamy rocky head. Very impressive lacing all the way down. A spiderweb of foam. Aromas were roasty with coffee and chocolate prevalent. A fair amount of hoppiness as well in the aroma. Tempting. The flavor is nice with the requisite roasted coffee and chocolate flair, but with an added touch of toffee or caramel too. Nice. Hops are present in a healthy quantity in the taste. Upon asking, I was told they use Cascade and Fuggles. After hearing that, the power of suggestion took over and I could begin to detect the slight citrusy feel of the Cascade. The oatmeal provides a smooth rich feel, but not as hefty as I’d like. Drinkability is spot on as this (and almost all Carolina Brewery beers in my opinion) goes down so so smoothly.

Opaque black with a tan creamy head. Coffee and chocolate aroma. Flavor is also coffe and chocolate but a grainy oatmeal flavor is also lurking in there. Medium body, yep another oatmeal stout.