Cookie Thief

 At 6%, Cookie Thief is a quirky little stout from Toronto’s Bandit Brewery. It’s an oatmeal cookie stout that, according to the Bandit website, is brewed with lactose, cocoa nibs and oatmeal, conditioned on graham crackers. The beer comes in 355mL cans that have a raccoon scheming for a plate of cookies.

Cookie Thief has has a powerfully sweet aroma, with loads of chocolate, brown sugar, and, sure enough, a little touch of graham crackers. The beer has saccharine notes to a silly degree, with chocolate and vanilla. There are some roasty malt notes and just a slight touch of cocoa bitterness.

All told, this beer ain’t really for me. But, to be fair, it delivers what it says on the tin. It’s too sweet by far, though there is an agreeably smooth texture. I’d be willing to bet it’d taste really nice over ice cream.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Ships in the Night Oatmeal Stout

 At 5.6%, Ships in the Night Oatmeal Stout has a bit of ballast, but at just 25 IBUs, it’s still quite smooth. The beer comes from Kingston, Ontario’s Stone City Ales. It’s sold in 500mL bottles.

SitN is a handsome dark ale—almost black, but with deep amber highlights. The beer has a malty, molasses aroma and a flavour that walks a similar path, accented with brown sugar. The back end has some bitterness, coffee-style, but the maltiness persists throughout.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Memento Mori

 

At 4.5%, Memento Mori is an Oatmeal Stout from Toronto’s Indie Alehouse. Sold in 500mL bottles with Indie’s generic labels, MM is a near-black ale that pours with a thin layer of tan suds. 

 

MM has a gorgeous coffee and cocoa aroma. For flavour, it starts sweetly with a roasted malt and molasses vibe, before transitioning into a mild but agreeable espresso bitterness. The texture is smooth from end to end.

For a beer with a relatively light frame, Memento Mori has a complex flavour. It’s a nice beer and if the back end were a bit more substantial, it’d be a real winner. As it is, I thought it was a nicely put together bit of brewing.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.

Ketchin Zeez

An oatmeal stout from Bowmanville, Ontario’s Manantler Craft Brewing Co., Ketchin Zeez is a 5% ale sold in festive 650mL bottles. It’s a dark ale that pours with a disappointingly thin tan head.

KZ has a sweet molasses aroma with roasted malt notes and a touch of vanilla. The flavour kicks off sweetly, with a slightly woody vibe and vanilla bean notes. There is a bit of cocoa bitterness in the back end, but it’s quite understated. The real star of this ale is its creamy mouthfeel, which is smooth and fantastic.

Ketchin Zeez has a lot of positive attributes, but it doesn’t come together quite as well as I’d have liked it to. The beer doesn’t have a bottled on date, but based on the Christmasy label, I suspect it’s a bit older than ideal. The beer is a bit flat, but more than that, I also found it to be overly sweet and I don’t think that can be blamed on age.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Letra C

 The core beers at Cerveja Letra are assigned alphabetical names—A through F. I decided to kick my experience off in the middle of their offerings with their 5.5% alcohol oatmeal stout—Letra C.

In typical stout fashion, my beer arrived dark—approaching black—with a thin tan head. To my nose, Letra C had the expected molasses and roasted malt notes, but also something a bit spicy—a faint touch of chili pepper. This tinge of spice didn’t materialize in the flavour, which was driven by roasted malts at the outset and transitioned into a relatively bitter (20 IBU, but tastes more robust) coffee and cocoa stained finish.

This was one of the most flavourful dark beers that I sampled on my Portugal journey. An oatmeal stout isn’t typically my idea of heaven when sitting outside on a 31C afternoon, but this one really hit the spot. Besides, I was on vacation in Portugal and it was shady in my corner of the beer garden. Bliss.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.

Super Symmetry Oatmeal Stout.

Category 12 Brewing does its brewing damage in Victoria, British Columbia, and that’s where I picked up a 473mL can of their Super Symmetry Oatmeal  Stout. At 5.9% and 35 IBUs, Super Symmetry is a blackish ale that pours with a short-lived cream head.

To my nose, Super Symmetry is plenty malty, with a mellow mocha skeleton. The flavour has chocolate milk and malt on the front end with some java bitterness at the back end.

Smooth and fairly full-bodied, this is a nice take on an oatmeal stout. It has good balance and a lovely flavour.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.

People's Pint Pit-Stop: Ken Fidy Oatmeal Stout

During my maiden stop at Toronto’s People’s Pint Brewing Company, I was suckered into a 12oz pour of their Ken Fidy Oatmeal Stout—I say I was suckered because what I actually ordered was their Oatmeal IPA, Do People Still Like IPAs?, but through a crossed wire, I ended up with the 6.5% alcohol nitro stout instead. Fortunately, my server was super chill and pleasant about the minor error, making me like the brewery even more.

Black, under a tan foam, the K.F. had a slightly sweet, malt and molasses aroma. The nitro tap gave the bear a beautiful, velvety texture that well suited its mellow vibe. The flavour was roasty, with cocoa notes. The back end was modestly bitter, with a hint of raisin in there too.

A tasty ale made all the better for its nitro format, one must assume that Ken Fidy is an homage to Oskar Blues’ Ten Fidy, though without the boozy heft.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Oatmeal Stout East Coast Edition 2018

From Scotland’s Black Isle and its Black Isle Brewing Co. comes Oatmeal Stout East Coast Edition 2018. This beefy 9.5% imperial stout comes in 330mL bottles. It’s a dark ale topped with a tan head and it boasts a powerful aroma rich in raisin, brown sugar, and malt notes.

This jumbo oatmeal stout has a malt-first configuration. It kicks off with sweet and boozy warmth and a bit of woodiness. The back end is more bitter than I expected, with a slightly smoky tang.

Strong, yet balanced, this Scottish stout is a beauty.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.

Moonless Night

Moonless Night is an oatmeal stout from Toronto’s Eastbound Brewing Co. Wildly sessionable at just 4.4% alcohol, the beer comes in 355mL cans. It’s a black ale infused with amber highlights, and it pours with a nice covering of light tan head.

For a low-alcohol stout, Moonless Night has a remarkably solid aroma. It has smooth scent that features chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt notes. The flavour is a little less pronounced, though it does have some nice notes of latte, and builds to a fairly bitter crescendo. Mostly, though, the highlight of moonless night is its smooth mouthfeel.

Flavourful and sessionable aren’t beer adjectives that often intersect. Moonless Night is an example, though the beer is rich enough that you might not want to have more than one in a session despite the low percentage. The bitterness at the finish adds a nice element of balance, though the beer is still a bit too sweet.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.

Skull Rock Stout

Thunder Bay, Ontario is the birthplace of Skull Rock Stout. An oatmeal stout, S.R.S. contains 5.1% alcohol and comes in 473mL cans emblazoned with a sinister skull. The beer comes from T-Bay’s Sleeping Giant Brewing Company.

For the style, this stout has a surprisingly reddish tint—still dark, but not the jet black I was expecting. It pours with an extremely vibrant and sudsy tan head. To my nose, S.R.S. is quite alluring and assertive, with a malt-focused scent built around chocolate and leather notes. The flavour has a nicely toasted and malty front end, enriched with bitter chocolate. This gives way to a mostly hoppy finish.

The biggest thing that I took away from my engagement with Skull Rock Stout is that it tastes way stronger than its 5.1% listing. That said, though, it could have been a smidge stronger and not lost a step. It isn’t as smooth as I was expecting from a brew made with oatmeal, but that doesn’t really take away from my enjoyment all that much.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Nightwatcher Oatmeal Stout

Cooking up a mess of homefries for a Sunday brunch for me and the Bitter Wife, I found myself with a serious craving for a dark ale. Fortunately, I had a 473mL can of Nightwatcher Oatmeal Stout chilled and ready to go. A relatively light brew at just 4.4% and 25 IBUs, under its fluffy eggshell head, Nightwatcher was uncommonly light-hued for a stout, with a clear, rusty caramel colour. The beer came from the Lake of Bays Brewing Co. in Baysville, Ontario.

Nightwatcher had an aroma that was both grainy and slightly metallic. The flavour had fewer rough edges, with a thin, but nicely balanced, combo of grains and mocha. The mouthfeel was compellingly smooth, but with just enough of a hop flare at the back end to keep it honest.

For all of the good, this beer did have one major drawback—it was way too thin for a stout, especially for an oatmeal stout. I really wanted it to have a bit more body. Still, a pretty nice effort from one of Ontario’s less talked about breweries. Nightwatcher is a beer I’ll certainly buy again from time to time.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Skinny Dippin' Stout

"Don't be the last one in!" is the motto of Skinny Dippin' Stout, an oatmeal stout from the underrated and extremely talented Gravenhurst, Ontario outfit, Sawdust City Brewing Co. At 5.5% and 35 IBUs, a  single 473mL can of this elixir won't have you peeling your clothes off, though it has a bit of heft.

SDS is an opaque, nearly black brew, with a tan head. It has a sincerely lovely aroma that mingles roasted malts, cocoa, oats, and molasses. The flavour isn't quite as rich, though it doesn't lack for depth either. The beer kicks of with malty and mocha elements, before adopting a slightly malty stance at its finish. Also creditable is the creamy mouthfeel.

Skinny Dippin' Stout is a nice effort--reminiscent, in some ways, of my very favourite oatmeal stout from Saint Ambroise, though with a bit more chocolate emphasis and a lot less bitter molasses. Really nice ale, though a bit more boldness couldn't have hurt.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.

Luck & Charm Oatmeal Stout

A dry stout, Luck & Charm Oatmeal Stout comes from Maclean's Ales in Hanover, Ontario. Sold in really cool 500mL bottles that feature a charm bracelet, L&C is a 5.6% alcohol elixir. It's a charcoal-coloured ale that pours under a lively tan head.

L&C has a mild scent--sweet and slightly grainy, with some malt notes. The flavour is a bit more robust, though still quite light and delicate for a stout. The progression moves from sweet and malty out front to a slightly coffee-accented bitterness in the finish. While the flavour is quite light, the mouthfeel has a bit more depth, with a creamy, smooth nature.

Maclean's Luck & Charm is a nice, gentle ale with a solid strength and a refined flavour. While I'd have liked something a bit more robust, this beer doesn't taste at all anemic--it's just mellow.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.

Stone Hammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout

Stone Hammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout sprung of the liquor store shelf and into my waiting arms faster than you can say "unhealthy relationship with alcohol." Hailing from Guelph, Ontario, SHS is the progeny of Stone Hammer Brewing and a partnership with Planet Bean Coffee. According to the 473mL can, this beer is brewed up nice using a single origin coffee called Café Feminino. At a regulation 5%, this ale won't overawe with potency, but it does pack a saucy 30 IBUs. It poured coffee black, under a zealous tan head.

SHS has a heady, malt-driven aroma that boils up some nice café mocha notes, as well as a touch of sweets. However, like a fine cuppa, there is considerable bitterness laced throughout the flavour, experienced as both French roast and hops leanings. The finish is particularly punchy, with heavy-handed coffee elements.

This beer tastes considerably stronger than its 5% pedigree. According to the can, it's a five-time award winner, headlined by golds at the Ontario Brewing Awards. This is understandable, considering the lovely java tones that stoke SHS's fire. It could use a more boisterous opening note, but its nose and finish pack enough heft to make up for that minor shortcoming. It's been ages since I was able to try something new from Stone Hammer--their Dark was an early fave when I moved to Ontario five+ years ago, but since then, I've not seen much innovation. Hopefully this beaut of a beer is a herald of more things to come from this unsung Ontario brewer.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Dark Horse Stout

Cooking rotini primavera for dinner on a Monday evening, I worked up quite a thirst--one that I decided to quench with an oatmeal stout, specifically Dark Horse Stout, brewed in Ottawa, Ontario by the Broadhead Brewing Company. At 5.5%, it had enough pop to curry my favour, and it sure looked nice when poured out of its 473mL can--opaque black, topped with a saucy tan head.

Rich and malty to my nose, Dark Horse also had mocha elements as well as a whiff of hay. It delivered a velvety smooth mouthfeel that went a long way, and a mild flavour that aimed a bit lower. Less robust than I'd  wished for from an oatmeal stout, notes were primarily malty, with some cafe au lait and a touch of leather, as well as a bit of bitterness at the end (26 IBUs according to the can).

Dark Horse was a pretty nice little stout to keep me occupied while cooking up some rotini. It wasn't particularly flavourful, but it didn't hit any off notes either. With its smooth texture and wealthy aroma, I counted myself reasonably satisfied.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Ships in the Night

Ships in the Night is a 5.6% alcohol oatmeal stout from scenic Kingston, Ontario. It's built by an outfit called Stone City Ales, that I hadn't previously encountered. Always keen to try new Ontario brews, when I saw it listed at Toronto's Bar Hop, I felt compelled to give it a whirl. This, despite the fact that it was a sweltering Saturday afternoon in August, hardly ideal oatmeal stout weather.

My pint arrived looking like a stout--dark, moody, and topped with a cream head (this one was another photographic casualty of my now-deceased cellphone, so no pic). The head wasn't as dense or as thick as I'd have liked, but no matter, on to the aroma. Well roasted malt, molasses, leather, and mocha filled my nose. An agreeably smooth mouthfeel is coupled with a pleasant flavour to create a nice taste sensation. Chiefly, there are roasty malt notes, but these are supplemented with dark chocolate and molasses up front, and a respectable hop presence and a bit of booze heat toward the rear.

Ships in the Night was a fine example of an oatmeal stout. Not quite as thick and filling as I might have liked, but flavourful and, importantly, solidly bitter. I'll be watching out for more Stone City Ales for sure.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Brewed in Boonville, California by the Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout has a very curious label. It's festooned with a brown bear sipping fresh water from an idyllic water course in a lush, green valley. However, on closer inspection, the bear has a trophy buck's antlers. No explanation is given. Barney Flats contains a rugged but refined 5.8% alcohol, which is probably for the best, since it comes in a hefty 650mL bottle. According to the cap, this deep brown ale is produced in a solar powered brewery. It pours with a layer of thick, sultry cream head.

The nose is pretty modest, and is made up of rounded malt notes and a whiff of molasses. Barney Flats has a velvety mouthfeel, and is a treat going down the ol' gullet. Like the aroma, the flavour is understated. It leans toward malty, with shades of molasses, caramel, and brown sugar. It finishes gently, with caramel sweetness and just a pinch of hops.

For me, this beer's strongest suit is its creamy smoothness. Otherwise, it has a lovely flavour, but one that seems shy. I'd have liked it to emote a bit more and assert its presence at centre stage. I also loved the label. What's the deal? Is it a "caribear"?

Rating: 7.0 out of 10.

The Poet Oatmeal Stout

The Poet Oatmeal Stout is an opaque, black ale from Holland, Michigan. It's brewed by New Holland Brewing Co. The alcoholic percentage isn't listed on the bottle, I'd already recycled the cardboard six pack holder on which it was listed, and I don't have a QR code reader on my phone (the bottle has a code for "brand info and stats"), so I had to go to the New Holland website--it contains 5.2% alcohol and has 37 IBUs. It pours with a modest but durable covering of tawny head. The spooky label on the 355mL bottle features a raven silhouetted against a full moon.

Smooth, slightly sweet, malt aroma on The Poet had some nice espresso leanings. A velvet mouthfeel really showcases a molasses and chocolate-heavy mocha flavour. There's a healthy coffee finish that provides bitter balance.

A nice example of an oatmeal stout, my only minor complaints have to do with sweetness. A much better than fine dark ale--I'd definitely buy it again.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Craftsman Oatmeal Chocolate Stout

All the way from Blenheim, New Zealand comes Craftsman Oatmeal Chocolate Stout, a tasty offering from Renaissance Brewing Ltd. Craftsman comes in 500mL bottles and contains 4.9% alcohol. It pours a very dark brown--almost black--with a gleam of ruby, and comes topped with a thin but durable tan head.

Unfortunately, the label came off on the way home from the liquor store, so I didn't bother photographing the bottle.

Craftsman has a strong aroma of roasted chocolate, backed with an espresso charge. The flavour is very chocolatey. It definitely leans toward dark, high cacao chocolate. It also features some really delightful cafe mocha notes. There is even a decent hop profile stalking around the finish.

Just like quality chocolate, this stuff manages deft balance between sweet and bitter. I'm not always into chocolatey beers, but this brew works. It's rich and flavourful, but not too sweet.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Street Brawler Stout

 Buffalo, New York's Pearl Street Grill and Brewery offers a nice stout known as Street Brawler. I had occasion to sample one late one evening during a trip to the Buff, and found it quite to my liking. Street Brawler was billed as an Irish-style oatmeal stout. It contained 4.5% alcohol and came in a plastic cup. S.B. arrived a very dark brown, almost black, topped with a creamy head.  It has a roasty malt aroma, with tobacco notes and a touch of cacao. The flavour is relatively bitter, with pronounced tobacco notes. There are elements of roasted dark malts and some molasses.

 This is a pretty nice stout.  It has an interesting flavour, but a bit more booze would be nice.  A fine brew worth sampling if you find yourself in Buffalo.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.