Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

Formerly brewed at Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Escondido, California USA

Multiple 22 oz bombers over its run. Beautiful dark pour with a light brown medium sized head. They don’t stint on the bitterness in the chocolate, which could have been a novelty but paid off quite well. Well balanced with a little bit of sweetness in the body so as to not turn off pickier drinkers. I’m going to miss this one when it’s gone.

Draught at GABF 2008. Pitch black coloured with a medium sized beige head. Roasted aroma dominated by dark chocolate. Roasted flavour of dark chocolate, coffee and liquorice with notes of hops and alcohol. Roasted and hoppy finish.

Pitch black pour with a quarter inch brown head that fades quickly. Aroma of toasted malt and chocolate. Flavor is dark, rich chocolate syrup with a semi-sweet finish. Pleasantly bitter. Like an alcohol-infused Hershey’s Special dark. Very good.

Pours black with a small tan head. Aroma of chocolate, malt, light booze. Taste is also chocolate, roasted malt, and plenty of bitterness. Mouth is smooth and creamy. Finish is bitter. Very nice, easy drinking brew.

Date: 08/23/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: South Bay Drugs, San Diego

Appearance: black, fine tan head, drippy sudsy lace,
Aroma: dark chocolate aroma with a touch of sweetness, just a hint of fruityness,
Body: creamy body,
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, touch of roasted, creamy milky sweetness balances the bitterness from the roasted and dark chocolate to bring out a milky chocolate,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

GBBF, Trade Day, 2008 Gravity cask. Smooth, tasty, easy drinking and sweet. American hops and American cookie dough. Very tasty and enjoyable.

Bottle from Discount in Milwaukee. First off, pour is black and thick, dark brown head that eventually goes away. Nose is strongly chocolate and Nutella, a little bit of fusel alcohol as well. This, to me, blows Stone RIS out of the water. Taste is much roastier and rich, very dry and distinct bitterness. If this had another 6mths on it, it would be perfect. As it stands, a bit alcoholic and boozy. There is some burnt cherries in the finish. Very damn fine beer, wish I had more to lay down...

this beer cascades slowly into a glass like an espresso mixed with molasses, thick like oil - almost gurgling. it is of the darkest shade of brown with a thin hazelnut colored head. it is smooth and rich, with a finish of dark cherries, bulgar, and cacoa. fundamentally strong and classic in its endeavor, truly delicious, far from revolutionary.