Samuel Smiths - Oatmeal Stout

Tonights review is of a winter time classic.  So why review it in the middle of summer?  Because its one of the few beers that's enjoyable year round.  In cold weather, it warms and comforts the body.  During warm weather, its refreshing and full of roasty goodness.

We reviewed one of Sam Smiths tasty concoctions back at the beginning of the year.  The Winter Welcome Ale scored highly with me.  The dedication this brewery has to their craft is second to none.  They are one of the few, if not the only, major brewery that still uses Yorkshire squares to ferment their beer.  Simply put, these stone, open air fermentation vessels require a lot of attention throughout the fermentation process.  But the result is a beer that is effervescent and full of unique flavor.  More information on the process and its history can be found here.

Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout is one of the most well known brews they produce.  The oatmeal stout style was originally marketed towards lactating mothers back in the 1800s because of its nutritional benefits.  Not the first demographic I would have thought of when it comes to beer marketing... but I suppose perceptions surrounding beer in the 1800s were a bit different compared to todays view on the common beer drinker as a late 20s, early 30s scruffy white male who lives in a house made out of Bud Light.

Deep opaque black with a light tan foam, this stout already has me thinking 'creamy'.  There isn't a powerful aroma right away.  But after letting it warm you can easily find an inviting subtle roast with hints of bittersweet chocolate.  The first thing you will notice is the texture.  Its silky smooth, attributable to the oats and fermentation process.  Bittersweet chocolate is balanced by a strong roast presence.  Earthy undertones from either the yeast or hops help to blend the sweet and roasty together into a smooth, dry finish.

Overall - No doubt about it, easily one of my favorite oatmeal stouts, if not stout in general.  Smooth, roasty, full body, and dangerously drinkable.  The four pack these come in could be gone in an evening without realizing it.  If you havent tried anything from Samuel Smiths yet, try this one first.  Its definitely #winning in my book.