I’ve only ever known Schlafly by name and reputation due to distribution limits, but have a few bottles sitting in my house after finding them on a recent trip out of state. A quick glance at their RateBeer.com page shows more than a few fan favorites.
Their oatmeal stout, which stands at 82 on Beer Advocate, seems to be one of those.
Pouring a deep brown hue, this beer stands up well to it’s British roots. Smells of roasted grains and oats (enhanced by the barley) are unmistakable up front, as residual notes of coffee and chocolate actively compete on the back-end of each whiff. There’s no denying what roasted barley and oat flakes are are able to offer in this beer. After a few sips, the two layers of aromas seem to be throwing down to see who can take the lead – first the malt and then the characteristics of slightly bitter, dark chocolate. It smells of a sweet, boozy bowl of Quaker Oats.
The stout’s flavor profile matches perfectly, with smooth mouthfeel and a dry finish accented by hints of raisin. The middle of each taste is what really set this beer apart, conjuring thoughts of damp, wet dirt bound with the roasted flavors of oatmeal, which become more prevalent on each sip. Eventually, the roasted grains and oats filled my senses, making me imagine it was a weekend morning and had just sat down to breakfast.
Oatmeal stout stats:
