Oatmeal Stout

Tasted following a day of running and checking out the Davenport parade for Festival of Trees. Enjoyed following a late lunch with Joe and Jen at Lemongrass Cafe in Moline. I got this bottle from the Rock Island Hy-vee, as a new addition to their selection!

Appearance: Poured with a brown clarity. In the glass, much of the transparency was inhibited by color, which took on a dark molasses looking consistency, with a touch of light penetrating the edges. Little to no head in retention, while it initially maintained an accumulation of bubbles on the sides of the glass.

Aroma: Rich maltiness reminiscent of biscuits and brownies. The chocolate malt is impeccable as it pierces the nostrils with a very effervescent scent and highly apparent sweetness.
Taste: The start maintains a similar biscuity sweetness, but no sooner does the chocolate emerge, towards the end, that the beer truly blossoms with a delicate bittersweet flavor. Some roastiness is present in the after flavors, but hardly deterring. Notes of cracker crust throughout as well as, while finishing with a brief nuttiness and maple character. Definitely some oaty element within.
Mouthfeel: Lighter bubbly texture than expected, with a higher carbonation as well. Body is a tad less than medium. Frothy going down with a drying after-feel. Some (but very little) residual stickiness on the lips. Less of a body than I would have expected from an oatmeal stout.
Overall Impression: Very basic, yet flavorful stout. I found a lot of distinguishable flavors throughout this beer, which still remained quite balanced. The chocolate nuttiness was certainly a turn on, as well as the light drinkability of it. Well crafted.


87/100

Rathskeller Amber Ale

Tasted this Thursday afternoon after a 5 mile tempo in 27:45. Finished and steamed a bunch of Cauliflower, Broccoli and Brussels sprouts for dinner. Found this beer in the cooler at work. Never heard of this beer, why not give it a try?

Appearance: Right from the pour, I could tell this beer boasted a large proportion of carbonation. The head erupted immediately as I poured the beer, filling the glass before I had a chance to empty all the beer from the bottle. Nevertheless It is light and fluffy taking on a soft texture, peaks and all. Darkened amber with a rubied hue. Carbonation within is heavy and likened to a soft drink. An underlying haze is present throughout.

Aroma: Faint notes of esters are apparent in conjunction with a mild caramel malt backbone. Some herbalness. Similarly there is a touch of oxidation in this beer that makes that caramel scent a bit stale smelling.
Taste: After the carbonation ceases to burn my taste buds, I can pick out a woodsy earthy flavor paralleled by more of a lighter biscuit malt foundation. However, the oxidative element I picked up in the Aroma, is even more prominent in the flavor, particularly towards the end. After having the carbonation settle (by pouring it back and forth between glasses), a mild caramel, semi chocolate sweetness emerges, though extremely subdued. Finish maintains a fruitiness to it, filling out with an aftertaste of grains.
Mouthfeel: Bubbly bite right from the start, inhibiting a lot of the flavor, way over carbonated. Body is medium light with a dry bittered feel at the very end.
Overall Impression: It's cool to see all the different directions breweries take amber ales. Some go hoppy, some malt forward, others chocolate. Nonetheless, this beer was a bit sub-par for any amber standard, especially with the oxidation, and certainly the carbonation.


70/100