EValP (30), Colorado, USA
Nov 26, 2006
At first look, this is a typical oatmeal stout. Dark and rich brown hue with a fantastic fluffy light brown head. A closer look yields a thick body, cask conditioned and the aroma….
This oatmeal stout is infused with coffee, light to heavy malt with hints of molasses, milk chocolate and an enticing mild coffee shows through. The yeast gives it a slightly sweet smell too and even a bit of tar and smoke due to the cask conditioning. Tasting brings the enjoyment of beer to a whole new level. Initially a light sweet yet bitter flavor with the expected coffee, but it grows in the mouth with a pleasantly developing taste. Complex flavors of smoke and roasted coffee succumb to an agreeable acidity in a stout. Smooth body with a slightly oily yet creamy texture allows this to be a very drinkable oatmeal stout. Finishes average for this type of beer and with a delightfully soft carbonation and slight acidity to the feel in the back of my throat, I drink another.
This is a really great oatmeal stout. With the infused coffee, it makes it that much more interesting and drinkable but the cask conditioning makes this ale amazing and I can’t wait to drink another.
segfault (74), Centennial, Colorado, USA
Oct 10, 2006 The best coffee-infused beer I’ve ever had (on cask at the brewery). The coffee and oatmeal had me looking for the eggs and bacon! Man, this was good. PLEASE make it again! Solid black body, nice head, coffee notes, slight metallic and roasty flavor - yum!
 Kevin (1765), Colorado, USA
Sep 10, 2006 cask at the brewery. solid black body with a nice puffed brown head that lasts. coffee aroma comes through well. straight up in your face coffee flavor with no astringency. dry roast flavor throughout this. coffee lingers and lingers. sweetness lies underneath in a fruity way. wonderful rich mouthfeel. a winner.
TAR (1998), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Sep 10, 2006 Cask conditioned – gravity dispensed: Penetrable black. Dense and sticky beige foam. Striking aromas of smoky coffee, potting soil, tar, and chocolate fudge. Fairly ashy and hints at dried plums. Soft carbonation supports a silky and oily body. Dazzling interplay between rich yet acidic java and pungent smoke-accented roast. Delightfully beefy at the center, but a chalky dryness ensues and accentuates the lush chocolate which hugs the palate and bolsters the body. Malts are fairly shallow and unpronounced, but the coffee is seductively silky and gritty with notions of char and compensates with heaps of multilayered decadence. Also fairly estery with notes of ink and juicy plums, but still quite quaffable due to the moderate level of dryness. Lightly metallic zing complements the understated malt sweetness, but doesn’t overwhelm or detract. Finishes immensely tarry and chocolate fudge-laden, yet deceptively light with dry char and subtle but effective notes of billowy smoke. Cheers to Kevin and the gang for not only serving Real Ale that’s finely conditioned, but also without the use of a sparkler. A fun couple of pints this was.
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