Oatmeal Stout Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy It

Oatmeal stout is a style of beer characterised by the addition of oats to the brewing process, which gives it a smooth, rich body and a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel. The beer is dark brown to black in colour, with a roasted malt character that is caramel-like and chocolatey. It is typically low to medium alcohol, with an ABV of 3.8-6.1%. Oatmeal stouts are widely available to purchase from breweries and beer retailers, with notable examples including Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, and Summit Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout.

Oatmeal stout beer brands

Oatmeal stouts are characterised by a smooth and rich body, with a dark brown to black colour. The roasted malt character lends caramel and chocolate notes, and the beer is typically smooth rather than bitter. Oatmeal stouts also have prominent coffee-like roasted barley and malt aromas. They are typically low- to medium-alcohol beers, with an ABV of 3.8-6.1%.

• Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout: A classic creamy and chocolaty beer with a hint of bitterness and a long, lingering finish. It has a full body and a hint of graininess, making it a great pairing for food.
• Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout: An American-made version that is creamy and velvety smooth, with robust roasty, espresso, and toffee flavours. It has a fairly full body and is easy to drink.
• Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin: An intense oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels, with notes of dark chocolate and espresso. It has a soft, rounded character and a distinct sweetness.
• Summit Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout: A delicious draft-only oatmeal stout from Minnesota that is velvety smooth with a creamy head. It has notes of chocolate and coffee, making it a perfect pairing for a hearty meal.
• Founders Breakfast Stout: A rich, dark spin on oatmeal stout with chocolate, Sumatra, and Kona coffee added. It has a creamy texture and is a great breakfast beer.

Other notable mentions include:

• Rogue Ales & Spirits Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout
• Schlafly Beer/The Saint Louis Brewery, LLC Oatmeal Stout
• Two Roads Brewing Co Espressway
• Belching Beaver Brewery Peanut Butter Milk Stout
• Hoppin' Frog Brewery T.O.R.I.S. The Tyrant
• WeldWerks Brewing Coffee Maple Achromatic

Where to buy oatmeal stout beer

Oatmeal stouts are a variety of stout beer that is rich, dark, and chocolatey, with a velvety mouthfeel. They are typically lower in ABV and IBUs than other stouts and feature the addition of oats, which give them their characteristic smooth texture and flavour.

If you're looking to buy oatmeal stout beer, there are several options available to you, depending on your location. Here are some places where you can find oatmeal stouts:

Beer Retailers and Distributors

Online beer retailers such as BeerMenus and Total Wine & More offer a variety of oatmeal stouts for purchase. BeerMenus, for example, lists Brown's Oatmeal Stout, which is brewed by Brown's Brewing Company in Troy, NY, and has won awards at prestigious beer competitions. Total Wine & More offers a range of oatmeal stouts, including Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Modern Times Black House, and East Brother Oatmeal Stout, available for pick-up at their Sacramento, CA store.

Local Bars, Restaurants, and Liquor Stores

Oatmeal stouts can often be found at local bars, restaurants, taprooms, beer stores, liquor stores, and package stores. BeerMenus, for example, provides a list of places near you that serve or carry specific beers, although availability may vary by location.

Breweries

Oatmeal stouts can also be purchased directly from the breweries that produce them. For example, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout is brewed by Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, England. Other well-known oatmeal stouts, such as those mentioned by Serious Eats, include Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout by Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin by Firestone Walker, and Summit Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout by Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Online Beer Delivery Services

In addition to online beer retailers, there are also beer delivery services that may offer oatmeal stouts. These services vary by region, so checking local options is recommended.

The history of oatmeal stout beer

The history of oatmeal stout dates back to the mid- to late 1800s, when it was discovered that adding oats to beer made it healthier. Oatmeal stout was often considered a table beer and was prescribed to nursing mothers and ailing children and believed to be a remedy for sickness in general.

The first known use of the word "stout" to describe beer was in 1677, when it was used to refer to a stronger version of the common dark beers of the time. These early "dark beers" had no modern equivalent and were most closely related to the English Brown Porter. The word "stout" continued to be used to describe a beer's strength through the early 1700s when a refined version of British brown ale rose in popularity to compete with the new and fashionable paler ales. This evolved brown ale eventually gained the name "Porter", thanks to its popularity with London's dockyard working class.

By the 18th century, Porter was the beverage of choice among dockside and street porters and thirsty London workers. Early London Porters were commonly strong beers, around 6.5% alcohol, to maintain freshness over longer periods. Among the many breweries producing different styles and characteristics of Porter, one brew stood out: a strong, dark, roasty beer named "Single Stout". This appears to be one of the earliest examples of the word "Stout" being used to describe a specific type of beer.

In the mid-1700s, the Irish began making their own versions of Porter, particularly favouring the "Stout Porter", which used less water to make the beer stronger. This beer became the connection between Porter and Stouts, also known as "Stout Butt Beer", and eventually just "Stout". However, the use of "Stout" on its own did not become common until after 1817, with the invention of drum kilning, which allowed for better control of kilning temperature and time, resulting in the elimination of smoky flavours.

While oats had likely been used in brewing for centuries, they reemerged as a brewing ingredient in the late 19th century, coinciding with a marketing trend that emphasised the health benefits of certain stout styles. Milk stouts, for example, were promoted as an elixir for nursing mothers, while oatmeal stouts were touted as a tonic of strength and health. One advertisement in the Saturday, January 27, 1894, issue of the Aberdeen Journal described oatmeal stout as:

> "Oatmeal Stout (Rose's) most nourishing and strengthening, strongly recommended for Invalids. See medical opinions. Brewed from Oatmeal, Malt, and Hops only."

Oatmeal stouts continued to grow in popularity, even sparking patent disputes between breweries. However, by the end of World War II, their popularity began to wane, and by the 1970s, they had all but disappeared from the market. It wasn't until 1980 that Samuel Smith brewed their oatmeal stout, ushering in a new wave of popularity in Europe and extending its influence into the US.

How to serve oatmeal stout beer

Oatmeal stouts are a great choice for serving with autumnal meals, such as roasted root vegetables, pork shoulder, and slow-braised beef stews or chilli. They can also be served as a coffee substitute with dessert.

When it comes to food pairings, oatmeal stouts are quite versatile. They go well with wild game, rare flank steak, and cheddar, brie, or Camembert cheese. If you're serving dessert, oatmeal stouts are a great match for chocolate-based treats, especially if you're looking for something with a bit of sweetness.

Oatmeal stouts typically have a creamy, velvety texture and flavours of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts. They are usually low to medium in bitterness, with hints of caramel, nuttiness, and earthiness. The addition of oats enhances the body and mouthfeel of the beer, making it smoother and more luxurious.

When serving oatmeal stouts, aim for a temperature range of 46-54°F (8-12°C). This will ensure the beer is cool and refreshing while also allowing the complex flavours and aromas to come through.

Some popular oatmeal stouts to consider serving include:

• Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
• Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
• Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout
• Ipswich Oatmeal Stout
• Tröegs JavaHead Stout
• New Holland The Poet
• Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout
• Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout
• Nimbus Oatmeal Stout

Food pairings with oatmeal stout beer

Oatmeal stouts are known for their strong notes of chocolate and coffee, and their ability to pair well with both savoury and sweet dishes. When it comes to food pairings, there are two basic principles of matching: similarity and contrast. Similarity involves selecting common taste or aroma elements in the beer and food, which emphasise each other. Contrast, on the other hand, involves choosing different tastes and aromas that complement each other, creating a unique and special dining experience.

Oatmeal stouts are extremely versatile and can be matched with virtually any type of food suitable for stouts. For those who enjoy seafood, oysters are a classic pairing, offering a perfect balance of saltiness, texture and sea flavours alongside the dryness, bitterness and roastiness of the stout. Other good seafood options include mussels, lobsters, crayfish, scallops and squid.

If seafood is not to your taste, dried meat and ham are also excellent choices with stouts. The dry intensity of the beer enhances the salts and intensifies the aromas of the ham. The more intense the ham, the better the match. Steak seasoned with sea salt and coarse-ground black peppercorns will also create new and interesting flavour profiles when paired with a stout.

On the sweeter side of the spectrum, oatmeal stouts go well with beef, veal and lamb, especially when cooked with a spicy sauce that has a touch of sweetness. The chocolate flavour notes in stouts also make them an ideal match for chocolate puddings and desserts. Whether it's pure chocolate, chocolate cheesecake or chocolate truffles, oatmeal stouts will complement these treats beautifully.

For those who enjoy a mix of sweet and savoury, oatmeal stouts can also pair well with classic desserts such as caramel flan, crème brûlée and panna cotta. And of course, let's not forget the simple pleasure of enjoying a stout on its own, savouring its complex and rich flavours without any food at all.

Frequently asked questions