Oatmeal Stout

A smooth, roasty stout with oatmeal-derived fullness, rounded roast, and moderate bitterness. Compared with Dry Stout, it is softer, fuller, and less angular in roast character.

Defined by the addition of oats increasing smoothness, body, and mouthfeel.

Also known as: Oatmeal Stout
Family: Roasty Dark Beers - Stouts, porters, and dark ales with roasted flavours
Variant of Stout - Within the Balanced Ales, defined by structural balance between malt, hop, and alcohol without dominant fermentation character.
Variant influence: Oats add smoothness and fuller mouthfeel.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Oatmeal Stout within the GBI model.

ABV: 4,4%
IBU: 33
Colour: 58,5 SRM / 115,2 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Deep brown Black
Clarity:
Clear Slight haze
Aroma – Malt:
Medium High
Aroma – Hop:
Low Medium
Aroma – Yeast:
Low
Aroma – Special:
None Low
Sweetness:
Low Medium
Sourness:
None Low
Bitterness:
Medium High
Body:
Medium High
Astringency:
Low Medium
Carbonation:
Low Medium
Alcohol Strength:
Low Medium
Finish Length:
Medium Long
Oxidation:
None Low

Smooth, full-bodied, and roasty with a creamy mouthfeel and moderate bitterness.

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What gives Oatmeal Stout its character

These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.

  • Very high roast level creates very dark colour, intense roast flavour, firm bitterness and a pronounced roasted character dominating the malt profile.
  • Moderate oats clearly boost creamy body and haze.
  • Early-boil-focused hopping strongly increases IBU and perceived bitterness and can lengthen the bitter finish.
  • Low crystal usage slightly increases colour, body, sweetness, finish length and caramel-like malt aroma.
  • Moderate grist intensity provides more extract, supporting somewhat higher gravity, body and alcohol strength.
  • Roasted barley produces intense dry roast and stout-like character.
  • Melanoidin malt adds intense maltiness and strong melanoidin aroma.

History

Developed as a variation of stout using oats to increase body and perceived smoothness.

How Oatmeal Stout compares to other beer styles

This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.

Oatmeal Stout vs Stout

Compared with Stout, Oatmeal Stout has:

  • a fuller body

Other differences:

  • Oatmeal Stout can be less astringent.
  • Oatmeal Stout can have a longer finish.
  • Oatmeal Stout can have floral and earthy hop notes.
  • Oatmeal Stout has chocolate malt notes; both styles have roast and dark Roast malt notes.
  • Oatmeal Stout includes oats; both styles include barley.

Oatmeal Stout vs Irish Stout

Compared with Irish Stout, Oatmeal Stout has:

  • sweeter
  • a fuller body
  • less astringency
  • a longer finish

Other differences:

  • The color range of Oatmeal Stout extends to lighter shades.
  • Oatmeal Stout can be hazier.
  • The malt aroma range of Oatmeal Stout extends to lower intensities.
  • The hop aroma range of Oatmeal Stout extends to higher intensities.
  • Oatmeal Stout can have a stronger alcohol impression.
  • Oatmeal Stout can have floral and earthy hop notes.
  • Oatmeal Stout has chocolate malt notes; both styles have roast and dark Roast malt notes.
  • Oatmeal Stout includes oats; both styles include barley.
  • Irish Stout is keg-conditioned.

Compare Oatmeal Stout with another beer style

Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.

Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Oatmeal Stout.

Best food pairings for Oatmeal Stout

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Oatmeal Stout.

  • Roasted meats
  • Chocolate desserts
  • Creamy cheeses

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Oatmeal Stout.

Serving notes
Serve cool · Gentle pour to preserve creamy texture
Pouring technique
Hard pour for classic head
Aging potential
Fresh drinking
Common faults
Gummy mouthfeel · Excessive sweetness · Raw grain notes
Style details
  • Origin: UK — Originating from British ale traditions.
  • Glassware: Nonic Pint — British-style pint with outward bulge for grip and foam retention; common for ales and stouts.
    Tulip — Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Keg — Packaged in keg.

Commercial examples of Oatmeal Stout

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Oatmeal Stout in the market.

  • Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
  • Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
  • Young’s Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout – Competition winners and medalists

Medal winners for Oatmeal Stout from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

2026 competition results

World Beer Cup 2026

Oatmeal Stout

  • Gold – Voided – Counter Weight Brewing Co. , United States
  • Silver – Event Horizon – SPACECRAFT Brewing Company , Thailand
  • Bronze – Oats – Pizza Port Solana Beach , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

2025 competition results 9 medalists

Great American Beer Festival 2025

Oatmeal Stout

  • Gold – Backside Stout – Steamworks Brewing Co. , United States
  • Silver – OS Express – Drowned Valley Brewing Co. , United States
  • Bronze – Scaredy Cat – Vintage Brewing Co. , United States

Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )

World Beer Cup 2025

Oatmeal Stout

  • Gold – North Tower Stout – Earth Rider Brewery , United States
  • Silver – Opacus Oatmeal Stout – StormBreaker Brewing , United States
  • Bronze – Dragula – Insurgente , Mexico

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

Brussels Beer Challenge 2025

Oatmeal Stout

  • Gold – Urania - Oatmeal Stout – Ventitre , Italy
  • Silver – Justout – RichKat Craft Brewing , China
  • Bronze – Black Wisdom – Antikorpo Brewing - Birrificio Cittavecchia , Italy

Source: Brussels Beer Challenge ( official website )

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