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Oatmeal Stout

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Cold brew coffee and vanilla stand out in this dark ale, with a full body and a silky-smooth mouthfeel from a substantial addition of oats that complements the roasted malts. Seven different grains form the foundation of the rich, malty flavor, which Northern Brewer, Nugget and Fuggles hops spice for balance. A flagship, and one of the first four beers Free State bottled in 2010.

ABV
6.1%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
vanillacoffeemalty
vanilla
coffee
malty
roasted
spicy hop
chocolate
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced cold brew coffee and creamy vanilla notes, supported by substantial roasted grain character from the seven-grain bill.
also:dark fruit
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Oatmeal Stout

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet-brown to nearly opaque black, presenting a dense, dark mahogany hue when held to light. A substantial tan head forms and clings persistently to the glass walls with fine Schaumhaftung. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending a soft visual texture to the body.

opaque dark brownpersistent tan headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced cold brew coffee and creamy vanilla notes, supported by substantial roasted grain character from the seven-grain bill. Subtle dark chocolate and hint of dark stone fruit emerge beneath, while Northern Brewer and Fuggles hops contribute restrained spice and mild herbal complexity without dominating the aromatic profile.

cold brew coffeecreamy vanillaroasted grainmild herbal spice

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a vollmundig, silky entry driven by oat-derived smoothness and rich roasted malt sweetness. Mid-palate deepens with vanilla, chocolate, and coffee notes while Nugget and Fuggles hops inject restrained bitterness and spice that balances without harshness. The finish remains malty and slightly sweet, with lingering roasted character and gentle hop grip.

vanilla-forwardroasted malt sweetnesssilky smooth oat bodybalanced hop spice

◑ Finish

The finish is medium-length with persistent roasted grain and vanilla notes tapering gradually. A clean, subtle drying sensation closes the experience without astringency.

roasted grain fadeclean dry end
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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 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 vanilla, coffee, full-bodied character as 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 States beers →