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Special Oatmeal Stout

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Flavours reminiscent of dark chocolate and coffee run through this stout, built on roasted barley, with a fresh hop bitterness and a dry, silky finish. Oats in the grist add body and smoothness, enhancing the roasted barley. It is hand brewed behind the Black Bull Inn in Coniston, in the English Lake District.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatecoffeeroasted
chocolate
coffee
roasted
malty
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced dark chocolate and roasted barley notes, complemented by a subtle coffee undertone that deepens on the second sniff.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Special Oatmeal Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown color with a dense, persistent head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. The beer presents itself with excellent clarity despite its opaque appearance, allowing light to catch the mahogany edges when held to the source. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting a creamy visual presentation.

black-browndense headfine lacingopaque

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced dark chocolate and roasted barley notes, complemented by a subtle coffee undertone that deepens on the second sniff. Fresh hop bitterness introduces a clean, herbal edge that prevents the aromatics from becoming heavy or cloying. The oat adjunct contributes a soft, grain-forward backdrop that grounds the roasted elements.

dark chocolateroasted barleycoffeeherbal hops

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, with chocolate and coffee flavors developing immediately across the palate. The oats deliver a silky mouthfeel that enhances the roasted grain character, while a measured hop bitterness provides structure and prevents sweetness from dominating. Mid-palate maintains richness without heaviness, balancing malt depth against crisp, drying edges.

chocolate-forwardsilky bodyroasted graindry bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and comparatively brief, with roasted grain and subtle bitter notes lingering gently on the palate. A creamy residue from the oats persists, leaving the mouth clean and inviting another sip.

dry finishroasted aftertasteclean
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
82
Appearance
82
Finish
74
Serve at 10–14°C

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

Pint glass

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Special Oatmeal Stout

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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 chocolate, coffee, dry character as Special Oatmeal Stout will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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