Why we picked it: We usually have Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice in the lineup. This year we decided to try a different offering from them. Hope it was not a mistake.
About Anderson Valley's Barney Flats: The deep ebony color, voluptuous mahogany head and bold, roasty flavors in our Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout are what serious beer drinkers expect from this style. Aromas of freshly baked bread, espresso, and dried cherries meld seamlessly with rich toffee flavors and a creamy mouth feel to create an unparalleled drinking experience.
Food Pairings: French onion soup, pulled pork sliders, smoked meats, chocolate desserts
Cheese Pairings: Smoked Gouda, Havarti
Beer Advocate Score: 91 and 100
Malts: Pale Two-Row, Crystal (40L & 80L), Roasted Barley, Munich, Chocolate, Oats
Hops: Columbus, Northern Brewer
Dates Available: Year-round
ABV: 5.8%Hops: Columbus, Northern Brewer
Dates Available: Year-round
IBU: 14
Case Cost: $43 ($12 a six pack)
*website: https://avbc.com/our-beers/barney-flats-oatmeal-stout/
This stout is pretty tasty but not my favorite oatmeal stout. I'm a little upset with myself that I didn't have this for breakfest. I love how Anderson Valley owns the beer animal.
ReplyDeleteNot bad, but not notable. There are other oatmeal stouts that I would pick out of the case before this one. Mine was a little more carbonated than I prefer in a stout.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting this to be sweeter but after I got over that, I began to really appreciate the balance between everything going on in this beer. I think it helped that I ate a sugar cookie and a handful of M&M's before I dove in. It's very complex and drinkable. Once again, before this I probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to try this one, but I'm happy that I did. This is a great winter beer.
ReplyDeleteAnderson Valley makes really good beers and thia is another to add to the list. I got a lot of the chocolate and raisins in this beer and it was refreshingly light. It tasted so much better while watching the redskins destroy Rex Ryan while the Giants lost. Wish I had another. B+
ReplyDelete"Would accept another"
ReplyDeleteNot bad, good flavor throughout, nice pour with creamy head. Some "milk stout" characteristics, smooth and creamy.
Held to a light, you can barely see the hints of red in this thick stout. Very sweet with the traditional smoky stout leavings. It's what I expected from an oatmeal. It works well for the longest night of the year.
ReplyDeleteIt is a decent stout but I would not reach for this one before the Bell's stout because it has more power behind it. It has the coffee taste but it is just standard.
ReplyDeleteI'll pretty much take any non-oatmeal stout over any stout. I'm sure this is a fine oatmeal stout but it still tastes like oatmeal. Get your damn cereal out of my beer. And despite the Anderson Valley positive winter solstice experience of last year, I still remember them as the wankers who thought selling $14 six packs was a good idea before everyone else started doing it. Get me a Guinness.
ReplyDeleteOver any oatmeal stout. You knew what I meant. Oatmeal bad. Non-oatmeal good.
DeleteI'm not terribly impressed with this one. Just tapped the founders oatmeal nitro stout a few days ago...it's far superior in my very humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt is Anderson Valle and they do make quality beer...this one just don't blown my skirt up.
Perhaps the yummy bells from last night set the bar a little to high.
Not gonna look for this one again. I can't remember if I tried it when I visited the brewery...in fact I can't remember very much of the that day. I had been drinking wine most of the drive up there from Napa and half way thru the private tour of the brewery (it was only me and this couple), the dude insisted that we be smoked out with this crazy stuff his friend was growing. When in Rome I guess...
tough to put down. The interesting part is that this tasted better in the 1st half when the skins were killing Buffalo. Didn't taste as good in the 2nd half when the game got close. Finished it in the 3rd Qtr. Needed another beer to close out the game. waiting for a new beer tomorrow night
ReplyDeleteIt took you 3 quarters (plus half time) to finish a beer!
DeleteTook me a while to come around on stouts, but still don't love oatmeals. This one is more sweet than I prefer and in general is just pretty unremarkable. 2.5/5
ReplyDeleteI'm going to disagree with the general sentiment here and say this was pretty damn delicious. I love stouts but normally don't go for oatmeal stouts. They usually end up mellowing out the underlying beer. In this case it actually works really well with that sweet Anderson Valley aftertaste here. I'd probably grab the Expedition from Bell's before this one. Mainly because of the ABV. B+
ReplyDeletethis one was great too - very smooth and easy to drink. lots of flavor, and you could barely taste any alcohol. Could drink this on a warm summer afternoon or cool winter day. great one all around.
ReplyDeleteGreat beer, I could see having a few of these while watching some football. I did not the oatmeal though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with todd why don't u bring some to mom's house Friday so we can drink a few.
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite Oatmeal Stout. Pretty blah actually.
ReplyDeleteLight, coppery to start but leads to a nice oatmeal-chocolate. Smooth. I agree with the reminiscence with a milk stout. Not bad. Light for the style.
ReplyDeleteBeen sick, but starting to catch up. I poured this into a glass and got no head, but saw some carbonation bubbles at first that quickly went away. Took a sniff and couldn't pick up any aroma. Took a sip and couldn't taste any flavors...shit, I'm still sick. I guess I will have to wait a couple more days before I finish off the last of the beers. Grade N/A
ReplyDelete