Written by Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is one of those beers that everyone needs to try at least once! I’ve been looking forward to reviewing this English Ale for some time now and I’m eager to give it a try!
A little bit on oatmeal stouts first. Way back when, oatmeal stouts were commonly ‘enjoyed’ by lactating mothers and were considered to be nutritious – like a liquid super-food rich in vitamins and nutrients. Oatmeal stouts were also a very popular style of beer from the 1800′s up until around the time of the First World War.
I’m not exactly sure why this delicious style of beer went out of favor and pretty much disappeared, but I’m happy that Samuel Smith decided to resurrect the Oatmeal Stout in 1980.
This granddaddy of oatmeal stouts poured into my glass an almost black color – when held up to my trusty halogen for further inspection, I can see glimmers or ruby red peeking through. The head is frothy and robust – its something that takes awhile to subside and this beer also creates something of that cascading bubble effect then it is poured. Not sure why, but I think that’s a very cool effect that certain beers pull off. The off-white colored head has good retention and there’s always something of a head on this beer up until the end.
The smell of this beer is quite nice too. It reminds me a little bit of other oatmeal stouts I’ve had – sweet smelling roasty malts, a bit of that breadyness and not much else in the way of over the top excitement. Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is just a good smelling beer without much fanfare!
Ah, the taste! This 5% ABV oatmeal stout is considered a classic for good reason! The taste is just beautiful with nice malty flavors mingled in with bits of coffee and chocolate, that neat bready flavor and surprisingly some vanilla! What a mix!
This beer is smooth to the N-th degree! No boozy bite or burn, no hop whollop – just creamy, malty flavors and textures. This oatmeal stout is an easy drinker, and at 5% ABV its easy to do so.
I’m going to give this particular beer an easy 5-star rating because for me, it just pushed all the right buttons. Its not an extreme beer, but its done very well and it deserves all of the praise that it gets. I do hope that the person who decided to bring this Oatmeal Stout back at Samuel Smith’s in 1980 got a big raise or something because this is one of the best beers I’ve ever tried.
Rating: 
What do you think? Does Samuel Smith make the best Oatmeal Stout? I also enjoyed the Founders Breakfast Stout which was a stronger, more flavorful version. Its just a style I really enjoy!
It’s not for nothing that Michael Jackson used to describe this as one of his top ten beers in the world.
And frankly, if it was good enough for Michael to rate it THAT highly, who are we to argue?
Well, as we’ve recently discussed, it’s down to personal taste and horses for courses, but this remains an absolute classic.
I agree Scott, five stars everytime.
.-= Bob Massey´s last blog ..Waltz Darling =-.
I’m so stoked that you like, err scratch that, love this beer. It is an absolute classic to me.
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Brooklyn Dark Matter =-.
I’m happy that I’m discovering some really great beers that have been hiding in plain sight! This Oatmeal Stout is one, and Celebrator is the other that come to mind right away.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Aprihop – Dogfish Head Brewery Spring IPA =-.
One of my favorite beers that I have ever tried and my absolute favorite oatmeal stout. It is just a wonderful beer that is so well balanced and delivers in every area possible. I a review of this as well a little while ago: http://breweryreviewery.com/?p=1280
.-= Nate´s last blog ..Beer Review #52 Delirium Tremens =-.
I’ve got a bottle in the basement…gonna drink it tonight now!
Love your input on lactating mothers and this beer. It is so interesting how beer was quite the nutritional staple for past societies. I think we need to bring back that ethos.
.-= nate´s last blog ..Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Old Rasputin XII =-.
To expand on @Nate’s observations, when I was a child (not THAT long ago) there used to be adverts for a stout called ‘Mackeson’ with the slogan “Looks Good, Tastes Good, and by golly it does you good!”
That would never be allowed these days!
.-= Bob Massey´s last blog ..Waltz Darling =-.
@Bob…That’s awesome!
.-= nate´s last blog ..Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Old Rasputin XII =-.
Glad you liked this one Scott. It is such an iconic beer and one of the best I’ve had. It was actually one of the beers that got me into craft beer. Great review. 5 stars baby!
@Nate and Bob. I found one of the Mackenson ads, although not the exact one Bob mentioned:http://tinyurl.com/yywc7us. Still pretty jolly though lol.
.-= Billy Broas´s last blog ..How to Cook with Beer [Beer Newbie Mission #5] =-.
I love you’re “hiding in plain sight” reference, Scott, because that’s how I feel about this one as well. I’ve rushed right past it looking for bigger, sexier stouts. I think I’m going to pick one up and use it as a baseline for what oatmeal stouts should be.
I just did my first Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout a few days ago myself and I was blown away by it. Such a treat of a beer and so incredibly smooth. I had done a Young’s Oatmeal Stout before and loved it but they’re not making it anymore. So glad I found a replacement for it and so remorseful I was away from Oatmeal Stouts for so long, it had literally been years. This one is a must for the rotation.
.-= Son Beer Love´s last blog ..Even More of The Most Interesting Man in the World =-.
Thanks for all the great comments everybody! I feel like I ‘discovered’ gold with this beer and I’m really happy to see others seem to enjoy it just as much!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Tröegs Java Head Stout =-.
Little late to the comments. But this beer is horrible. Just kidding…wanted to sound contrary. Honestly, this is a terrific brew from a terrific brewer. One of the best brewers in the world.
.-= Michael Reinhardt´s last blog ..WLP 568 Review: Saison Blend =-.
It’s the classic Oatmeal Stout for sure but there is one other that I found to be as good if not better. Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. Worth a pick up if you ever see it around and the history of the area is nearly as weird as the bit about breastfeeding mothers drinking it.
.-= Wolfman-K´s last blog ..No glue, no tape, built like a house of cards, a man in Germany… =-.
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. Have to keep that one in mind, I love this style of beer! Thanks for the tip Wolfman-K!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Us! =-.