Beer of the Weekend #545: Thomas Creek Coffee Oatmeal Stout
Today’s brown bottle lunch is Thomas Creek Coffee Oatmeal Stout, brewed by the Thomas Creek Brewery of Greenville, South Carolina.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is non-opaque black; light from a window passes through. One finger of tannish head dissipates quickly, leaving a skim and ring around the edge.
Smell: Roasted malts dominate, offering a robust roasted character reminiscent of black coffee. Underneath is the characteristic oatmeal smoothness. As it warms, espresso emerges. Chocolate emerges, too, and after a while the aroma balances as the roast yields to the oatmeal.
Taste: Full-bodied mouthfeel. The roasted malts predominate in the first sip. Once again, the flavor is not espresso-like; it is much more similar to straight black coffee. The roast is robust and the bitterness lingers in the back of the mouth. The oatmeal smoothness emerges slowly and counterbalances the bitterness, though the aftertaste is not affected. Flavors of chocolate and dark berries, reminiscent of raspberry and dark cherry, emerge along with caramel and molasses. There may also be fleeting hints of black licorice.
Drinkability: It is not the best coffee or oatmeal stout, but it is a solid and robust brew. It delivers the coffee and oatmeal as promised.
Fun facts about TCCOS:
-Style: The beer is classified on BA as “Oatmeal Stout.”
-Price: $2.49/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV.
-TCCOS was first released in November 2013.
-Description via the Thomas Creek website:
-TCCOS is a seasonal available from November to March.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is non-opaque black; light from a window passes through. One finger of tannish head dissipates quickly, leaving a skim and ring around the edge.
Smell: Roasted malts dominate, offering a robust roasted character reminiscent of black coffee. Underneath is the characteristic oatmeal smoothness. As it warms, espresso emerges. Chocolate emerges, too, and after a while the aroma balances as the roast yields to the oatmeal.
Taste: Full-bodied mouthfeel. The roasted malts predominate in the first sip. Once again, the flavor is not espresso-like; it is much more similar to straight black coffee. The roast is robust and the bitterness lingers in the back of the mouth. The oatmeal smoothness emerges slowly and counterbalances the bitterness, though the aftertaste is not affected. Flavors of chocolate and dark berries, reminiscent of raspberry and dark cherry, emerge along with caramel and molasses. There may also be fleeting hints of black licorice.
Drinkability: It is not the best coffee or oatmeal stout, but it is a solid and robust brew. It delivers the coffee and oatmeal as promised.
Fun facts about TCCOS:
-Style: The beer is classified on BA as “Oatmeal Stout.”
-Price: $2.49/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV.
-TCCOS was first released in November 2013.
-Description via the Thomas Creek website:
A creamy Oatmeal Stout with a delectable coffee aroma and a smooth roasted coffee flavor throughout. Brewed with our very own locally roasted coffee blend from Greenville’s Red Harvest Coffee Company.
-TCCOS is a seasonal available from November to March.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
