This one is an Oatmeal Stout. Typically, these generally have a nice roasted malt mash feel to them. Oats are usually common (obviously!) and many are sweet and have an extra something that a regular stout doesn’t have, a little sweetness. Hints of hops are often present, but not overpowering.
This one is brewed by the Independence Brewing Company out of Austin, Texas. Independence began its run at brewing craft brews in 2004. Rob and Amy Cartwright, their dog Jasper, now Indy as well, take a true love for beer and turn into great beer that we can all enjoy.
This pours into a tulip glass a very nice deep brown, almost black in fact. It’s so thick, Superman couldn’t see through this one! Guinness beware! I nice thick head to start that settles into a pleasurable thin head which leaves a lacing that makes the glass all giddy!
To smell this one, is to experience great pleasure. If the pugnant chocolate aroma doesn’t get you, the actual oatmeal smell from the oats will. I took a sip as quickly as I could, but then had to sniff this one again. Wow, unusual to have a local craft brew come out with a stout this nice.
To taste this one is to experience an Oatmeal Stout that truly speaks for this style. The chocolate comes out immediately hits you and then the oats. Kind of like having a bowl of chocolate oatmeal! The taste of hops does not seem that prevalent.
The longer this one lingers, the more the oats come out. What surprised me, was that I seemed to get more of the hops as well. Very thick, but not so thick that it becomes a meal all its own.
Over all, I was more than impressed (if you couldn’t tell!). I am a huge lover of Stouts and Porters, Stone’s Imperial Russian and Oatmeal Stouts in particular, but this impressed me. Hidden away in the heart of Texas’ capital, a gem of a brewery awaits those that are willing to seek it out. Not sure what the ABV is, but seems around 7-8%. Paired nicely with the chicken wrap, chips and queso I had for lunch.
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