Rogue Brewing Co. - Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

This beer was heartily recommended to me by my brother Dan, who urged me to seek out this beer for some time now. I inquired at the P Street Whole Foods about it, and got a "oh, yeah, totally" nod from the bearded beer buyer James. He had actually already ordered a case, and it arrived a few weeks ago.

I checked BeerAdvocate, and they give it a 93/100 - or an "exceptional" rating. It's a 6.1% ABV oatmeal stout made with Northwest hops, crystal hops, roasted rye, and roasted barley. It's pretty much universally recommended as a great stout. I'm a huge fan of medium stouts so this was a natural for me to try. According to their website, this beer is available year-round although James at Whole Foods seemed to suggest it was a seasonal. Anyways, I got a bottle, so that's what matters.

I cracked it open and let it sit a moment before pouring it. It had a smooth, quick pour and made a light tan-colored head. Have you poured a beer, had it foamed up, and then the foam recedes leaving some head residue on the walls of the glass? That's called lacing. This beer laces very well and the foam sticks to the glass nicely. I poured it out and let it sit to enjoy the nose.

The first taste was one of charred hops and chocolate beans. It's got a heavy oaty taste which pairs nicely with the chocolate beans. There was a nice full mouthfeel that makes this beer very taste-forward and enjoyable. You don't have to go looking for the flavor here - it comes at you pretty easily. The beer was carbonated nicely but the carbonation didn't interfere with the taste.

The finish was one of smooth, lingering sweet, carmelized malts, leading into an aftertaste is toasted vanilla bean.

This beer isn't what I was expecting. Given my previous experiences with these kinds of beers, I was expecting something a little more muted, a little smoother, perhaps like the Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout or one of my old college go-to beers, the Lancaster Milk Stout. What I got was a beer that was a little stronger, a little harsher, and one that's more toasted than some of the aforementioned brews. I almost think this beer might be better a little warmer. Let it sit for 15 after you pour it and then try it. The flavor definitely opens up.

In conclusion, this is a delicious beer. It's not the best beer I've ever had - that distinction goes to Orval Trappiste - but I urge you to seek this out if you can. Another good thing about this particular beer is its cost. In general, Rogue ales are also decently priced - this one is $7 for a 1pt 6oz bottle. Stone, on the other hand, sometimes charges $15 for similar brews.

Give this a shot! It's pretty good and especially if you like beers that are a little stronger and toasted. Imperial  Stout fans will enjoy this very much.