A taste of… Wolaver’s Oatmeal Stout

Otter Creek Brewing
793 Exchange St.
Middlebury, Vermont, USA 05753
(800) 473-0727

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Wolaver’s Oatmeal Stout was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There was date number on the neck: “2579 BOTTLED 10/08/09”

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.
I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: This crystal clear deep red garnet colored brew is topped with a fairly thin head of tiny, tightly knit bubbles. They were not taught they were of tatting. (No noticeable Belgian Lace.)

Aroma: The first impression is the rich roasted aroma of highly roasted barley malt. A second visit reveals a bit of tobacco and some leather. The third visit has resemblance to a warm chocolate brownie that is remarkable.

Mouth feel: There is more to the body than first met the eye.

Flavor: First impressions are of tobacco, prune and liquorish. The second sip brought out more of the prune and the receding of the sharper flavors first met. The third sip left less of an impression that the first, perhaps because of flavor fatigue (this is not a bad thing… just the taste buds getting used to something new).

Finish: At first this seems to be a coyote-beer sneaking away trying not to wake you up. Then there is a sweet trace of grain that refuses to leave without saying goodbye.

Comments: Here we have a real “Porter”, or as the Irish call it, a “black beer.” If they will give me that I will agree that this is one very nice porter.

Food & Beer: Baked ham, sliced not too thin, with a layer of thin sliced sharp cheese, and a touch of sweet brown mustard, on a half loaf of crisp baguette would make a fine snack to pair with this dark brew.

The Brewery: http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/119

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/wolavers-oatmeal-stout/28631/