The first (pictured on the right) is from Mikeller Brewery in Norway. It is called Beer Geek Breakfast as it is an oatmeal stout with coffee in it as well. As I was pouring it, I think I was a little frightened as it looks like motor oil after about 10000 miles. I immediately called Kerry over for backup.
Here is the rating:
BREWER: Mikkeller (Norway)
BEER NAME: Beer Geek Breakfast
BEER STYLE: Oatmeal/ Coffee Stout
PRICE: 9.99/ pint (ouch!)
Appearance: As previously stated, it looks like Pennzoil after 10000 miles or so in the old farm tractor out back or maybe liquid charcoal. To say this beer looks imtimidating may be like saying Cristiano Ronaldo dates attractive women. The foam on top is darker than most beer I have seen. This is not messing around.
Mouthfeel: Have you ever swallowed molten lead? This is somewhat similar (I imagine).
Aroma: Smells like a combination of black licorice, coffee, and alcohol. Actually it is quite pleasing.
Taste: On first taste, you really get ran over by the coffee bitterness. After that subsides, the warmth of the alcohol takes over and leads you into the actual oat taste of the beer. This is quite a complex beer with a definite beginning, middle, and end. For supposedly being only 7.5%, this beer packs a punch on the alcohol end too. I am half way through the pint and am feeling a little more warmth then before. Looks like I'm going to need some aspirin in the morning...
Overall Rating: 4.0. Too much coffee for me but I can appreciate the taste complexity and the balance that the brewer was going for. This would be the perfect -15 degrees day on the ski slopes when you want a pint or two before bed. A word of warning, for those of you who think Guiness is a strong beer, you may want to skip this one. It is one of the most powerful beers I have ever drank. Good stuff. A definite trophy beer.
NEXT: Samuel Smith's (my boy!) Oatmeal Stout. (this is the one that most drinkers say is the most accessible if not the best Oatmeal Stout on the market). I have very high hopes for this.
BREWER: Samuel Smith, England (Might be the best brewer on the planet)
BEER NAME: Tadcaster Oatmeal Stout
Beer Style: Ummm, oatmeal stout
Price: Maybe $5.99/ pint? Around there at least.
Appearance: Dark, somewhat clear although you can't see through it due to the darkness. Good, strong head with excellent lacing. A nice looking beer. Looks like a stout that won't decrease the years off your life.
Mouthfeel: Very foamy, malty beer with a smooth feeling as it goes down. A very nice, clean stout. This is a beer that has been perfected and not messed with.
Aroma: Not a whole lot there; a slight hint of nuts maybe? Some black licorice as well? Just a good clean beer scent more then anything.
Taste: I was expecting a nice beer and I'm not disappointed. This is a beer that is dominated by the grain involved; the oat. While not resembling oatmeal that I have tasted, it makes you feel like you dipped your hand in the oat barrel and chewed on some. Very smooth with a great finish. This is about half the beer that the first one was which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is smooth enough to drink a few pints of without feeling like you just conquered the neighboring tribe by brute force. I fully recommend it. Per the usual Sam Smith output, it is perfectly balanced and a great entrance into this particular beer style.
Overall rating: 4.75. Excellent beer. Period. I love Sam Smith. He hasn't let me down yet. I need to buy stock. Or move to Yorkshire, England and rent a room above the brewery. How many quid is that I wonder? Anyone have an extra pence or two lying around?
