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Black Gold

Castle Rock Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Oatmeal Stout · One of 18 Oatmeal Stouts in hopIQ

Castle Rock's Black Gold sits at the sweet spot where an oatmeal stout can still be called modest — 4.8%, creamy mouthfeel from the oats, roasted coffee and dried fruit that never overpower. The carbonation is low enough that it feels smooth, not flat. A winter warmer that doesn't demand winter temperatures.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark41
See all Oatmeal Stout alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Oatmeal Stout.
Malt character
coffee
roasted
caramel
chocolate
malty
wheat
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Stouts

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Gold

Appearance

Deep black-brown in the glass with a dense, tan head that settles into a persistent collar around the rim. The body is opaque, with low carbonation visible as a gentle cascade of fine bubbles. Schaumhaftung is evident in distinct lacing that clings to the glass as you drink.

deep black-browndense tan headlow carbonationpersistent lacing

Aroma

The nose leads with roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes, followed by subtle wisps of dried plum and apricot. Oats contribute a gentle sweetness and soft grain character without dominating. No aggressive alcohol burn despite the modest ABV; the aromatic profile remains restrained and inviting.

roasted coffeedark chocolatedried fruit notessoft grain

Taste

The palate enters smooth and creamy, with the oats delivering a silky mouthfeel that coats without heaviness. Roasted malts unfold into coffee and subtle caramel sweetness through the mid-palate, balanced by restrained bitterness that arrives late and fades cleanly. Dark fruit undertones emerge in the background without competing for attention.

creamy mouthfeelbalanced sweetnessroasted maltsrestrained bitterness

Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering coffee and a whisper of dark chocolate that persists for several seconds. No astringency or harsh alcohol bite; instead, a gentle fade leaves the palate refreshed.

clean finishlingering coffeemoderate length
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Black Gold

Serve at 10–14°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within a year. Standard stouts are best fresh but hold reasonably well for 6–12 months.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Black Gold

About Oatmeal Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Oatmeal Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Oatmeal Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, coffee, rich character as Black Gold will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Oatmeal Stouts in hopIQ

Explore all Oatmeal Stout beers in hopIQ →New to Oatmeal Stout? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →