Oatmeal Stout
A smooth, full-bodied stout brewed with oats for a silky texture and gentle roast.
About the Oatmeal Stout style
Oatmeal stouts add a proportion of oats to the grist, which contribute beta glucans and lipids that give the beer a notably smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel without the added sweetness of a milk stout.
The style was popular in England around the turn of the 20th century, faded, and was revived by the craft movement. Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout is widely cited as the beer that reintroduced it.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: Pale and roasted malts with a portion of oats (flaked or malted) for a silky, full mouthfeel.
Hop character: Low to moderate, in a supporting role.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean ale yeast, leaving the oats and roast to define the texture and flavour.
A typical Oatmeal Stout runs 4 to 6% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 25 to 40 IBU and a colour of 22 to 40 SRM. It is traditionally served in a nonic pint. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Serving and carbonation
Serve an oatmeal stout cool, around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, with moderate carbonation or on nitrogen to bring out its silky body. The oats give it a smoothness that a restrictor-plate nitrogen pour flatters especially well.
Fermentation in brief
A clean ale yeast fermented in the high teens Celsius keeps the focus on the oats and roast. Attenuate normally; the smoothness comes from the oats in the grist, not from residual sugar, so there is no need to leave the beer sweet.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Founders Breakfast Stout and Anderson Valley Barney Flats. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Strength (ABV) | 4 to 6% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 25 to 40 |
| Colour (SRM) | 22 to 40 |
| Traditional glass | Nonic pint |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Set up your Oatmeal Stout on tap
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines · Wikidata (Q3347894)