Town Hall Black H20 Oatmeal Stout

Brewed by Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery
Style: Sweet Stout
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

The color was a good dark black with limited color distortion when tipped or held to the light. The head was exceptional as per a nirtro drop would do. A crisp tan color with a creaminess to it. The smell is sweet with a candy liquorish fragrance to it. Stronger roasted and some light plums are noticeable too. The taste has a nitro twist to it. Makes a creamy taste but also dampens the taste down. The malt has a stronger oatmeal and roasted mixed with black patent taste. More of a chocolate quality then say coffee. A hinted lactose flavor is noticed as well but it’s very subtle. Not quite milk but maybe influenced by the nitro. The hop is minor but limited earthy tastes support the strong oatmeal malt taste. The beer was full bodied with good carbonation. A good taste that is sweeter then most oatmeal stouts. Overall I’m not a fan of nitro but I think it gave more of a smoother and creamer taste, but also limits the malty flavor.

This was a decent beer and I would drink it again, I do enjoy Oatmeal Stout, however, this one did nothing to make me go wow. The smell started me off nice but the taste was not as impressive. There is the taste of roasted grains and caramel. This beer is filling and enjoyable, but don’t expect to be swept off of your feet.

Draft @ Brewpub. Black pour with a tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, light bitter chocolate, and coffee. Flavor of roasted malt, bitter coffee, and bakers chocolate. Medium body, sweet/roasty with a roasty finish.

On tap. Dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma is coffee and roasted chocolate. Nice flavor and mouthfeel, good stout.

Draft @ Brewpub: Black, tan head, light lacing. Nose of bright chocolate and licorice, sweet mocha and a breve like coffee note. Moderately astringent flavor, super roasty and charred. A nice blend of creamy oatmeal though.

Date: 06/23/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

black, fine tan head, drippy lace, sweet roasted and dark chocolate aroma, creamy body, lots of roasted flavor, sweet dark chocolate comes in the second wave,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Just another pretty face. Just another good looking oatmeal stout. Kind of sits there without intensity or complexity. Sweet coffee taste, smoke smokey nose, some bitter finish that seems out of place.

There was a lot to like about this beer. I thought it exhibited the dry-roastiness of an Imperial Stout while maintaining a lightness on the tongue and dryness of an Irish stout and delivering the light sweet finish of a breakfast stout. So, I would say this is a very pleasant blend of all three styles! It pours very dark, although not inky like an imperial stout, with a thick nude pantyhose colored head. Aroma was roasty. Flavor was extremely roasty, with hints of coffee, and some slightly sour sweetness at the finish. Mouthfeel was light yet substantial (and wonderful!), and not at all syrupy the way some heavier stouts can be. I found this to be an extremely drinkable, yet extremely flavorful, stout and enjoyed it immensely. Highly recommended.