Rock Bottom Chicago Bourbon Raspberry Oatmeal Stout

At the Night of the Living Ales III festival, they were calling this Clare’s Thirstier Ale. (Note: I had two other "new" RB Chicago brews there, but I dasn’t enter them, the brewery’s page being a hodgepodge of possible duplicate entries.) I liked this because the fruit wasn’t too strong. It had a nice pour, black with a tan head. The aroma is roasted malt, milk chocolate, raspberry, and a touch of Bourbon. All are blended together smoothly in the flavor which has the additioon of vanilla, coffee, and an oaken woodiness. Nice.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/events-detail.asp?eventID=4959>Night of the Living Ales III, Goose Island - Wrigleyville, Chicago, IL, 3/3/2007.<font size=-1>

On tap at R.B. Chicago. Poured a lovely black with a short cap of caramelly-beige head.. thick ring & dusting stuck around for the duration. This was served too cold, but the aroma opened up nicely as this warmed up... dark chocolate, fresh raspberries, and milk chocolate sweetness come through. Dark roasted chocolate all the way through the flavor.. very nice vanilla and bourbon accents with some oak.. coffee and mild herbal bitterness. The sweet oat aspect made it quite smooth across the palate.. tasty, tangy bourbon and increasing bitterness around the tongue and through the finish. Very good stuff!