Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

"Black syrup with a tall brown crown, dangnabit this looks as thick as tar. Aroma is disappointing, cold dust (I can’t explain what that is but trust the smell of cold dust is a real smell), sand box (not in a bad way), some mild alcohol, some coffee and cigarettes. This stuff smells well below average and well well below what was expecting from Stone. Taste is thin and watery, a coffee bitterness lingers while dark chocolate dominates the watered down taste. There is a flavour that hides in the background that I will describe as burnt sourness a to me this is what is ruining the beer. I’m shocked about how mild the flavour is there is no boldness to it, it’s just kind of there. On the very last sip I tasted some sweet milk chocolate. This wasn’t the beer I was expecting WHAT HAPPENEND?!?! I have only had a few Stone beers but this is the first subpar one. Just had a huge whiff of rubbing alcohol in the remains of my glass. Thanks Jeff?"

Bomber. Pours dark brown, opaque, and with a medium sized tan head. Aroma is full of bittersweet chocolate, some cocoa, and roasted malt. Flavor starts a bit harsh: oatmeal is there, but bitter chocolate dominates. When it warms however it improves. More sweetness comes through, especially a nice molasses note, along with more toasted wood and roasts. Finish still shows astringency a bit more pressing than I would like, probably from the alcohol and roasts. Pretty tasty overall, though flawed.

Bottle 65 cl. Courtesy of fiver29. Pours black and opaque with a light brown head. Rather alcoholic aroma with some burned malt. Medium-bodied, dried fruit and hard roasted malt, raisins, chocolate and a little cardboard. Fairly alcoholic finish. A surprisingly bland impy from Stone. 120609

Draft at Stone Bistro. A black beer with a thin brown head. The aroma is sweet with strong notes of roasted malt and medium notes of sweet malt, oatmeal, and coffee. The flavor is sweet malty with notes of roasted malt and oatmeal, as well as lighter notes of alcohol, that is felt on the tongue, leading to a dry and roasted finish.

Bottle at The Penguin. Huge collapsing chocolate mousse head over tar, lacing thickly at the strength. Burnt toast and oak chip charcoal aroma completely drowning out the chocolate. Spiritous whiskey burn from the off, lightning struck oak, toast fished out of the bin...just a mouthful of smouldering carbon really. Oily but not slick or luxurious. What a disappointment. All roast and no hops, certainly no chocolate or oatmeal. Crumb of incinerated nut, dab of yeast extract. One of the rawest, most ethanol-drenched efforts I’ve had in a while. Bit more choc lurking in the bottom of the bottle, but such a thin and one-dimensional flavour profile. Saw it all off in the end. Not a bad beer but a bad chocolate oatmeal stout.

Bottled. Pitch black with a small to medium brown head. Quite malty with notes of chocolate, hops, grain, hops and a hint of ashtray - also a bit vinous. Quite nice and well balanced.

Aroma: No surprise - smells like dark, bitter chocolate.Alcohol noticeable in nose. Appearance: Completely opaque, basically black. Thin but medium brown head present. Flavor: Neutral at first with a quick sharp rush / bit on the tongue of carbonation and intense bitterness with a smooth, rich, malty finish. Palate: Overall initial to finish time is actually quite short making this boldly named stout feel more like a weak porter. Overall Impression: Not bad but probably will not purchase again. Did enjoy the bitterness with the smooth malty finish.