Rogue Ales & Spirits Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout
What the brewers say
“Ebony in color with a rich creamy head, earthy flavor, and a mellow, chocolate finish.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Light aroma with a touch of oats and light roast. A light hops flavor—citrus and pine American hops. Oatmeal and slight toast come through in the finish. Very low ester profile, but maybe a touch of vanilla. There is a nice roast character in this beer. Some complex chocolates along with some earthy nuttiness, toast, and roast. Coffee notes are also present.”
Flavor: “Roasty malt, toast, and creamy oatmeal. Slight sweetness up front transitions into assertive bitterness that lingers. Lots of American hops flavor, and hops bitterness carries through to help cut the sweetness and add complexity. Rich blend of milk and dark chocolate with some bready toasted notes. Ester profile is quite subdued with some dark cherry peeking through. There is a sweetness that carries through with chocolate and coffee. Very bitter for this style with hops bitterness of pine.”
Overall: “A slightly higher body and sweetness would help balance out this beer. The American hops and bitterness are pretty intense and not very appropriate for this style. The malt complexity is pretty good, and the body is nice. Oatmeal is used well, but overwhelmed by the hops. This beer provides nice complexity with some bold flavors. It was sweet but not too sweet.”
