 shigadeyo (1387), Southwest Ohio Area, Ohio, USA
Jul 14, 2008
7/12/2008: Don’t let the name completely fool you. Be sure to read the label as "bitter chocolate" not separately as "bitter" ... "chocolate" as this beer is definitely bitter, but there isn’t really a rich, creamy chocolate quality about it. That’s completely fine by me, but I wan’t to put that disclaimer out there for those who might see "chocolate" in the name and expect it in the aroma and beer. I guess it is there to some extent, but not in the way many would probably expect. Anyways, this beer pours an extremely dark brown color and has a slightly violet-like hue to it. The tan-colored head is thick and does not disappear quickly. Had I been blindfolded and not poured this beer myself, I would have guessed that somebody place a big bowl of steamy oatmeal in front of me dusted with some cocoa powder! It smells delicious. That same hearty and creamy oatmeal runs throughout the flavor and helps to mute the alcohol that comes across a bit sharp at times. There is also plenty of bitter chocolate and roasted maltiness in the flavor as well. The bitterness is quite apparent and is enough to turn most away. Remember, this is a BITTER chocolate stout and as such has quite a bit of that unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate quality to it. This beer has a medium-full body and is creamy and slick on the palate. Overall this is really the best Oatmeal Stout I have had in a very long time. Stone did an excellent job of balancing all of the characteristics to create this Imperialized Oatmeal Stout. They were also able to achieve a high level of bitterness by using the bitter chocolate and presumably a much lower than previously used amount of hops. Congratulations to them for pulling off such a tasty a fairly unique beer that features artisan chocolate and lots and lots of yummy oats!
Stone Twelfth Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz. bottle (9.2% Alc/Vol) from The Party Source in Bellevue, Kentucky. Rating #62 for this beer...
raphael (277), Portland, Oregon, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Real dark out of the bottle. The sourness surprises me, waves of milk chocolate, a line between bitter and sour, the alcohol. That chocolate-alcohol aroma of kahlua, implying coffee as well, bottom roast. The foam is a beautiful color but quick. Very clean finish.
ketchepillar (276), Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Quite black w/ dark brown head. Aroma is unimpressive and very light; strawberry; very little indication of chocolate or roasted malts. Palate is very very smooth, with a little carbonation/alcohol kick in the finish. Flavor is a little more like one would expect but still odd. The oatmeal makes it weird. Definite light fruitiness-more strawberries going along with the alcohol in a not so pleasing fashion. It finishes about how one would expect though with a lot of rich dark chocolate and a good moderately dry bitterness. Probably would be better, but less intriguing without the oatmeal. Could be good with some age on it as well.
crowderm (179), St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Oily black pour with nice tan head. The head dies quickly, but leaves some nice lacing. The aroma is boozy, with some chocolate, dark fruits and burnt malts. The flavor is kind of bizarre. First bitter burnt malt, then a strange cherry/plum fruit flavor, then the chocolate hits making for an excellent bitter finish. The palate is the standout aspect of this beer. Awesome, thick, chewy. Almost like drinking a bowl of oatmeal prepared with an imperial stout instead of water. Interesting, complex, but a little disappointing. The palate alone however makes this beer worth the price of admission.
hillfiiiiire (208), Atoka, Tennessee, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Pours nice and thick with a quickly dissipating tan head. Aroma is certainly chocolate that I would go ahead and call burnt chocolate if that actually means anything. And not much else, but it is quite nice. Flavor is really weird and interesting. I’m not sure what’s going on. It’s like the oatmeal cures the bitterness of the chocolate because there certainly is the smoothness I associate with an oatmeal stout going on, and it consequently just goes down really smooth. I enjoy it. The palate is nice and full bodied. It’s definitely interesting to say the least.
AdamSkillin (368), High Bridge, New Jersey, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Pours 6,000 mile plus used motor oil black (always a good sign) and tastes of bitter chocolate with grainy oatmeal texture. No overbearing bitter-/ burntness (which is a good thing). Full mouthfeel, great flavor, amazing dark tan head on a truly opaque black beer. Stone always raises and then blasts through my expectations. A-plus beer.
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