Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

A beer that could’ve been a lot better if it wasn’t trying so hard. This seems to be a pattern from Stone that incorrectly insists that boldness and complexity are exactly the same thing. Again, this one is too bullish...and I’m usually the one complaining about lack of flavor. As advertised, chocolate, roast nuts, and coffee are present, as well as a nasty vinegar/tasbaco flavor in the background and finish. Still good on many levels, but you’d expect more from a brewery whose leg gets humped so much and often...unjustifiably.

Black, fast fading brown head.Nose of chocolate & alcohol.Harsh alcohol heat,espresso and bitter chocolate profile,bitter chocolate most noticeable in finish Once again, the alcohol is too overpowering, as with most Stone brews.

Had at tasting at the stinking rose. dark brown color, dark beige head nose is dark bitter choc smoke, flavor is similar with a nice hop finish that does not over power. good beer

22 oz bottle. Crazy black pour with a nice creamy head. Very viscous. Aromas of dark chcolate and some coffee. Flavors of roasted malt, and a very very bitter chcolate flavor. Like unsweetened cooking chocolate.

black body, dark and lasting tan head; cocoa definitely, fruits like fig (i did indeed note some dark fruits), some spice (anise or licorice that is light), and certainly the noticeable alcohol; basically creamy, bitter, salty, somewhat burnt, yet ironically smooth; yeah, i like it... but, meh.

A gift from POP!!! Nice black pour with thick tanhead and a balanced chocolate aroma. A bitter sweet oatmel chocolate taste with a dry hop finish. I loved it !!!

Bomber, pours black with tan head. Aroma of dark chocolate, vanilla, bitterness, and coffee. Taste was nice, with coffee, chocolate, and sweet oats. Creamy thick mouthfeel. Nice effort by Stone, not spectacular, but pretty good.

Cask, BSF at the GBBF. Shiny black, red/tan head. Fresh sawn oak boards, raw chocolate, tawny port, cardamom. Some interesting charcoal background noise. Vanilla, salty, smokey dark chocolate, raisins, plum skin finish. Like a dessert: a 1/3 pint was plenty. But I did very much enjoy that much of it.