Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

In honor of International Stout Day, tonight’s featured beer is Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.

From the Anderson Valley Brewing Company website: “Barney Flats is the Boontling name for Hendy Woods State Park, a deep redwood forest with a tree canopy so thick it can seem like nighttime at high noon.

It is no wonder that Anderson Valley Brewing Company named its deep, rich, dark oatmeal stout after Barney Flats. Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is full-bodied with a decadent mocha character and smooth mouthfeel balanced by a subtle hop bite. Near and dear to our hearts, Barney Flats was our first gold medal winner in 1990, but recently took bronze at the 2010 World Beer Cup.

Great on its own or as the perfect desert beer. Pair with chocolate and you’ll never have anything else.

As with all of our products, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized.” 

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Fours a very dark brown, nearly black with a thin tan colored head and great lacing.

Aroma: Chocolate and roasted malts, coffee and vanilla.

Taste: Roasted, caramel and chocolate malts, coffee, vanilla and a slight hop bitterness at the finish.

Overall: Expertly balanced, smooth and creamy, Anderson Valley Brewing Company Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is great.  At 5.7% ABV a few of these’ll do ya, but you’ll want to drink more.  Incredibly solid and a must try!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey