A dog on the label is a good way to get me to try a beer. I am not really sure why, but I have said before that a label goes a long way to breaking the tie for me when buying and trying a beer for the first time. Perhaps I am a sucker, but very often it has worked out in my favor.
Stouts are very comforting to me. Maybe I am just mesmerized by the black color, not really able to see what is going on in that glass. My current favorite beer is an imperial stout (review coming some day and a gold star for anyone who can guess which one) and though this one is good, it was not able to knock out the champ.
Brewery: Stoudt’s Brewing Company (Adamstown, Pennsylvania)
Name: Fat Dog – Imperial Oatmeal Stout
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 9.0%
Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge and served in a pint glass.
Aroma: Deep roasted malt aroma with no sharpness or burnt notes. Light sweetness.
Appearance: Black with maybe the slightest hint of red. Medium height (before I adopted the finger measurement), deep tan color head that dissipates slowly with some trail. Opaque.
Flavor: Roasted malt/grains in front with a slight coffee flavor toward the finish. Very light hop bitterness. The roasted flavor(s) linger with some dryness at the finish.
Mouthfeel: Full body with light to medium warmth noticeable. Smooth on palate with low carbonation.
Overall Impressions: Very nice stout. Roasted flavors balance well with the higher alcohol content. Definitely could have used a second one (which is a measure of a good beer).
Grade: B+
Stoudt's Brewing Co. - Fat Dog
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