19 Sep Three Must-Try Indiana Oatmeal Stouts
By Andrew Dickey for Indiana On Tap
From Dry to Russian Imperial to Milk, stout beers offer plenty of variety.
But for now, let’s focus on one: The smooth, full-bodied and sweet Oatmeal Stout.
Historically, the stout dates back to Dry Stouts in Ireland (think Guinness); Milk, Crème and Sweet Stouts in England and the Russian Imperial Stout, which originated when brewers had to make a stronger beer that could make the trip to the Baltic region in the 18th Century.
Fast forward to the 1970s and a revamp of the stout that brought the Oatmeal Stout back into the fray, and it wasn’t long before good Oatmeal Stouts started to make it into brewery lineups.
Oatmeal is a grain like barley that blends with the malt to make a smother, full-bodied beer. The grain also contributes to a slightly sweeter flavor.
My first Oatmeal Stout, to my memory, was from Schlafly in St. Louis. They have a popular T-shirt that says: “Beer is not just for breakfast anymore,” a nod to their use of oatmeal in their stout.
I have attended nearly three dozen beer festivals since 2001 and tried a plethora of Oatmeal Stouts, the most memorable being one from Broad Ripple Brewpub. I worked a stint at the now-defunct Three Pints Brewing Co., where I poured their excellent Pole Barn Stout – I had a can recently, and it still drinks smoothly.
There are plenty of amazing Oatmeal Stouts out there, but here are my picks for the three you should put on your “must try” list.
Bulldog Brewing Co. in Whiting makes the Morning Shift Stout, which clocks in at a decent 7.5 percent ABV. With oatmeal to back up the flavors, chocolate malt also comes into the mix, blending into the beer like a no-bake cookie in a way that caught my attention. The brewers also add raw coco nibs during fermentation to up the chocolate flavor profile. The brew is creamy and served on nitro at the Bulldog Tap Room when available. The chocolate adds bitterness to the finish as the froth laces the glass perfectly.
Bloomington Brewing Company is one of the old guard of Hoosier Breweries, and I have been enjoying their beer since 2003. Their Swashbuckler Oatmeal Stout is a delicious beer that the brewery describes as their “classic take on a traditional oatmeal stout with familiar aromas of oatmeal and subtle hints of coffee.” I think there is more coffee flavor present then anything, and the taste reminds me faintly of espresso. You can definitely taste and appreciate the buttery caramel notes and the earthy finish as well. It’s sensational.
Last but definitely not least, there’s the Shadow Boxer from Indiana City Brewing. This beer is rich and full flavored. There’s a nice roasted feel in the taste and aroma, and the notes of coffee and vanilla come through as the beer opens up. There is adequate bitterness on the end, though the beer is smooth and almost sweet in its creaminess. It is another full-flavored stout. Overall, I would say the Shadow Boxer is my pick for the best Hoosier-made Oatmeal Stout.
Maybe you have a different top three list or don’t have one at all, but these definitely all are ones you should try if you like dark beer. They embody the full flavor taste I expect from craft beer and represent the style very well.
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