There’s nothing like a dark and hearty oatmeal stout to fill you up and keep you warm during the long winter months. Goose Island’s Stockyard Oatmeal Stout is one of the stoutiest around. Made for Chicagoans, this broad-shouldered beer has depth of flavor and aroma as well as a rich color. Ring in the new year with this smooth and satisfying brew.
Dark roasted coffee, chocolate and thick caramel aromas exude from this beer. Its flavor really brings oats forward with hints of cocoa and coconut that balance well. I recommend pouring it into a glass, as this aerates the beer and helps to unlock its deepest flavors and smells. A good pour will also reveal the nice brown head this brew produces. While not as tall as some stouts, this head is very nutty and pleasing both to the nose and the palette, leaving excellent lacing along the length of the glass.
Darker than a black bull’s tucas on a moonless prairie night, Stockyard Oatmeal Stout maintains a rich black color throughout. The enticement of its dark depths is almost as enjoyable as drinking the beer itself. An initial subtle sweetness turns to a pleasing toasted bitter flavor with a lingering aftertaste. Its thick body turns to medium in your mouth as carbonation is released, making this beer more drinkable than many stouts. While it will certainly fill you up, it won’t leave you with a heavy gut or sluggish feeling. What more could you ask for?
Jake Kulju is a freelance writer, and food & wine reviewer. Visit his web site, www.jakekulju.com.