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Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Boonville, California
BJCP Category: 13C Oatmeal Stout
Anderson Valley Brewing Co. <visit site>
41
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[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Extremely drinkable for a big, full, robust stout. Hops and malts are well balanced so that the sweetness isn’t cloying at all. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Roasted grains with coffee notes. Some caramel maltiness. No diacetyl. No DMS. Very low fermentation esters. Light alcohol. Moderately high hop aroma (citrus accented), unusual for an oatmeal stout but it works with this American version. Quite clean and very inviting. (9/12)
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Appearance: Very dark brown to black. Opaque. Thin but lasting head. Well carbonated, OK for the bottled version but would be a bit high if served on tap with the same carbonation. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate and caramel malts provide a sweet Starbucks caramel latte character. Rich maltiness enhanced by oats that also provide a grainy nuttiness. Sweetness balances with the medium-high hop bitterness. Medium hop flavor of citrus, earthy and woody notes. Coffee ‘n cream aftertaste. Low diacetyl, adds to richness. No DMS. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied. Luscious, smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a hint of lingering bitterness and roasted malt and hop astringency in the aftertaste. Slight alcohol warming. Subtle oatmeal is smooth without being silky. Diacetyl and oats contribute to the smooth texture. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Extremely drinkable for a big, full, robust stout. Hops and malts are well balanced so that the sweetness isn’t cloying at all. Chocolate and caramel malts rather than roasted barley add to the smoothness and low astringency. This beer lies between a Sweet Stout and a Foreign Extra Stout. Chocolate cheesecake or chocolate mousse would be great desserts to have with this oatmeal stout, or simply enjoy a pint or share a bottle over conversation on a cooler night. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This beer is something between a horn of zeese (that’s “cup of coffee” in Boontling), and hydraulic mocha cake. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Some diacetyl up front, and a slight sour note that diminishes quickly. Coffee, earthy aromas dominate. Very low grapefruity aroma detected. Chocolate in the background. (8/12)
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Appearance: Brown-black and opaque; some ruby highlights if the glass catches the light just right. Rocky, creamy, persistent tan head hangs on to the very end of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Roast grain character up front with a French roast coffee flavor, almost a little smoky. Very low diacetyl and slightly curranty fruit add a balancing creamy flavor. Very low citrus hop flavor mid-palate, but the focus is on coffee, some sweet chocolate and a clean finish with a hint of lingering hop bitterness. The balance of this beer is definitely toward the silky, creamy grist presentation. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and silky with moderate carbonation. Low alcoholic warming, but not hot. Finish is roasty and dry with a slight astringency that is short-lived. A very low alcohol warmth sneaks in at the very end. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This beer is something between a horn of zeese (that’s “cup of coffee” in Boontling), and hydraulic mocha cake. The silky, creamy oatmeal character dresses the robust roast barley coffee character in a milk chocolate cloak. A little dried black currant accent apparent, though unobtrusive alcohol flavor. The grapefruit hop in the aroma is a Pacific Northwest presentation, separating this example from her British cousins, which have no hop aroma or flavor. This beer has complexity for those who enjoy dissecting beers, and simplicity for those who seek it. It goes equally well with a lox and caper omelet or a piece of chocolate cherry cake for dessert. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Very nice beer, and is obviously a fresh sample in great condition. It’s a good example of how esters can complement and enhance dark malts. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Sweet toffee and chocolate come through first, with a restrained roast in the background. Mocha is also a good descriptor. Some fruitiness, particularly apricots and pears, reveal the ale character. Alcohol is present but is fairly well masked. No hop character, which is appropriate for this style. (9/12)
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Appearance: Very deep brown, bordering on black yet not quite opaque. Beige head with an interesting mauve hue. Great head retention, and the clarity is excellent. (3/3)
Flavor: Some malty fullness at the forefront, but not quite as silky as some other oatmeal stouts I have tasted. Esters again have a stone fruit character but fade into a fairly roasty finish with bittersweet chocolate. Hop bitterness is moderate to high, more in line with an Irish Stout, as is the fairly dry finish. Some alcohol is evident, but well within my expectations for this style. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, not as full-bodied as English examples of this style, but still solid. Some astringency is present in the finish, but not excessive, and a little alcoholic warmth is evident. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Very nice beer, and is obviously a fresh sample in great condition. It’s a good example of how esters can complement and enhance dark malts. Although I commented that the dry roastiness is a little more “Irish” than the classic examples, I prefer this to overly sweet interpretations of the style. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
The hoppy nose is a little unusual but it has a killer flavor profile. Great balance and finish for such a thick, rich beer. Smooth and easy to drink. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Moderate grassy, citrusy hops—unusual, but hey, it’s from California. Mild roasted/chocolate malt, somewhat grainy. Hops tend to dominate. Light alcohol. Dark dried fruit. Chocolate becomes more prominent as it warms. (8/12)
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Appearance: Very dark brown color, opaque. Tall frothy tan head lasted a long time. Tiny bubbles leave a rocky appearance as they settle. (3/3)
Flavor: Initial chocolate/malty sweetness, rich silky smooth palate. Finishes medium-dry with moderate bitterness and medium-low hop flavor. Oatmeal character is light but noticeable. Clean fermentation profile. Restrained roast flavors—mostly dark chocolate but with supporting caramel sweetness. Malt-forward beer but finishes with enough dryness and hops to not be cloying. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Full body, medium-high carbonation (too much). Very creamy and smooth—nice. Moderately warming. Light astringency from roasted grain. (4/5)
Overall Impression: The hoppy nose is a little unusual but it has a killer flavor profile. Great balance and finish for such a thick, rich beer. Smooth and easy to drink. I’d expect this one to sneak up on you—seems strong. Chocolate flavors are wonderful. A great beer for cool weather. (9/10)
