Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

The Stats
Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 5.00%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 4.21/5
- RateBeer: 3.9/5

There's nothing like a classic. Hailing from Yorkshire's oldest brewery and using the same well from 1758, Samuel Smith is a landmark in the beer world. Plenty of the today's styles got their start overseas and it is good to pay respect any chance you can. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout is still today one of the highest rated and celebrated examples of the oatmeal stout and just as sweet as it ever was.

Pours not completely black with dark brown/red on the edges when held up to the light. The pour produced nearly three fingers of a frothy beige head.

It smells like fresh-baked multigrain bread with some sweet malts and nutiness.

The taste is considerably sweeter than a standard stout with a big syrup and molasses component. There's some subtle chocolate and coffee and the roasted presence is also subdued. The sweetness is meant to shine in this style and this does a great job without being overpowering or cloying. The finish is surprisingly bitter with something similar to  hop bite which was something I didn't expect at all. It plays off the sweet flavors rather well.

Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. The oatmeal has made this a silky-smooth ride. While not as roasty as a standard stout, this is still robust and flavorful without being thin and watery. At only 5.00%, this is easy to drink even for those who aren't used to the style.

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout still stands today as one of the best in its class. It is super sweet, and robust, but also sessionable. Great for beginners, but also good for those who are looking for an excellent oatmeal stout.

Rating
8.7/10