Beer Review – Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
I haven’t done a review for a while but I just got a delivery from BIER SHOP.com.au, thanks guys, so it’s time to put a few up. I have a few stouts to do and the first one is an absolute cracker. I have the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Anderson Valley have been around for over 20 years and are based in California USA. We have only recently been able to get their beer here in Australia.
The beer comes in a 650ml bottle, which is a good start. It is a very dark brown, almost black, but does have some garnet highlights when held up to light. It pours a small tan head that lasts reasonably well. The aroma is of bitter chocolate and coffee up front. I also picked up hints of nuts and vanilla behind the stronger aromas. There is a light herbal hop aroma which fits well for the style. I was able to pick up a very pleasant though light aroma of the oatmeal.
The mouthfeel of the beer is very smooth and slick. This is likely from the oiliness derived from the oatmeal. It comes across as a creaminess when drinking the beer as it covers the whole pallet. A very pleasant medium bodied mouthfeel.
As in the aroma flavours of chocolate and coffee dominate at first. The beer is sweet but has enough bitterness to balance perfectly. As the beer warmed and I drank more I started to get more dark roasted coffee flavours likely derived from the roasted chocolate malt used in the beer. There are some nutty flavours in the beer that express an almost almond like quality which lines up with the nut and vanilla found in the aroma. If you wanted to match this beer with food I would recommend something like a rich chocolate cake for a complimentary flavour. If you would prefer a contrasting flavour experience I think it would be fantastic with a lamb roast.
All of the analysis and flavour profiles aside this is a awesome and very drinkable beer. It is one you just want another of. I normally favour a more bitter beer like the American IPAs but this beer is so well balanced both in sweetness/bitterness and flavours it is hard to go past. It’s certainly my favourite oatmeal stout and up there out of all the stouts I have had. Perfect for sipping on a winters afternoon but it’s also drinkable enough that I could drink it on a warm summers day. It is just a really great beer. It’s a world class stout that you can get your hands on so you would be mad not to. Go and get get yourself some today.
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