From the Brewery: 

“‘Brewed for the harvest’ This beer begins in spring when oat seeds are sown as soon as the soil can be worked. Meanwhile, select types of barley are planted with hopes that Mother Nature will be kind. Our brewers wait patiently until the legumes are mature and ready for the scythe. Upon delivery to the brewery, these ingredients are mixed together in the mash tun where they steep, creating a rich molasses-like liquid. Spicy hops are boiled with the thick brew, giving balance and complexity. Brewers yeast feasts upon the rich sugars, concluding its transformation into oatmeal stout. Pour Oat into a snifter, allow its thick tan head to slowly rise, releasing unbridled aromas. The color of Oat is as dark as a moonless night. The first sip reveals Oat’s thick and nourishing taste. Like a haversack to a horse, a bottle of this stout is a meal in itself. Enjoy responsibly.” 10.8 % abv

The Pour: 

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a brandy snifter. The color is solid black, with a very thin brown/tan head that settles quickly to nearly nothing. Minimal lacing is left on the glass.

The Nose: 

Very sweet and roasty aromas. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, caramel, black licorice and alcohol are all prevalent.

The Mouth: 

Incredibly thick and luscious  in the mouth, very smooth going down. The initial flavor is of the dark fruit, which gives way to a very complex roasty aftertaste. Bitter dark cocoa, burnt caramel/toffee, a bit of nuttiness (maybe hazelnut?), alcohol warmth, roasted oats.

Final Thoughts: 

An imperial oatmeal stout, what a neat beer. As labeled, a bottle is truly a meal in itself. The flavor profile leans a bit too far into the dark fruitiness initially for me, but the delicious roasty combination that coats the palate is quite delectable. A step below Souther Tier’s Choklat, it is still quite a good beer that any stout drinker would enjoy. 8/10.

Southern Tier Brewing Company – Lakewood, New York