|
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
|
|
|
|
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
|
|
|
|
|
|
Though I am quite fond of beer, you can be sure I don't drink it for breakfast. If I did though, this might be the one I'd
have. Oatmeal in your beer, instead of your bowl? Sure! Oatmeal stouts have
been around for over a century, and there's a good reason why. Beer's
backbone, it's heart, it's soul, is grain. For the most part, that grain is
malted barley, but other grains can be added to beer as well. Wheat is the
most common, and will be used in the highest quantities, at times up to 50%
of the mash, sometimes even more. Beer can be made with rye too. The Germans make rye beers that are a mixture of barley and rye; the Russians make Kvass, a beer completely mashed with rye. Corn is used in some American lagers (Rolling Rock for example). Native Americans in both North and South America brewed chicha with only corn. Budweiser is made with rice; sake is an all rice beer. And of course, oats are used in some beers too. Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout pours to a jet black color with a huge head formation and rich licorice nose. The palate is rich and yeasty with notes of chocolate, prune, raisin, plum pudding, and licorice. It is slightly roasty, but also slightly thinner in mouthfeel than I expect. There's also a certain "musty" character similar to that found in beers brewed with Ringwood yeast. The finish is slightly sour but also a little sweet and has a roasty bitterness to it. You'll get more licorice here too. I've always felt that this beer has a slightly "winey" character about it, perhaps most comparable to a merlot. That being the case, you shouldn't be surprised to learn that Sam Smith's Oatmeal goes rather well with red meat. I paired a bottle with a seared T-Bone, generously seasoned, to very good effect. So what about the oats? They impart a smooth, silky, slightly creamy character to the beer along with powdery oatmeal notes. Some beers display this better than Sam Smith's does, but Sam's is remarkable for it's overall complexity. There are a LOT of things going on in this beer. It's a must-try beer for anyone serious about beer. And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box. *Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer. (B)=Bottled (D)=Draft |
|
|
Rating
|
|
Try?