People's Pint: Oatmeal Stout

People's Pint: Oatmeal Stout

           Another brew from the People’s Pint – their Oatmeal Stout is worth blogging about.  Oatmeal Stouts are a relatively new indulgence of mine, largely because it was a style not usually commercially distributed - but now more and more breweries are producing fantastic beers in this style.  This does not mean that it is a new technique.  In fact, oats were commonly added to beer in medieval Europe – but the craft largely died out until a resurgence at the tail end of the nineteenth century.  Oatmeal Stouts are traditionally big in body and unbelievably smooth due to the addition of oats, which also impart a smidgen of sweetness.  Other than this, however, I find that Oatmeal Stouts are more unique to the brewery and not to the style of brew – they are exciting because you have a general idea of what to expect (and no, Oatmeal Stouts do not taste of oats) but you are always surprised!

            People’s Pint did a good job on their Oatmeal Stout.  It pours a deep brown, almost black, with a foamy head that sits back and becomes denser rather quickly.  It has an interesting nose: butter and wood and an earthy sweetness.  The first few sips have a strong espresso and chocolate presence.  There are strong hops and toasted bread behind each taste and a smokiness that takes up shop in the back of your throat at the finish.  The carbonation is very present; it cascades over the top of your tongue and froths up into your gums.  This brew is primarily bitter with only a very faint sweetness with a buttery creaminess cut by a dry powdery palate: definitely a study in balances.      

Beer: Oatmeal Stout

Serving Type: Tap

Style: Oatmeal Stout

ABV: 5.1%

Score: B-