Wolaver's (VT): Oatmeal Stout

Ever snorted lines of freshly ground Sumatran espresso beans? I don't recommend it. Fortunately, you will no longer be tempted to. This oatmeal stout from Wolaver's, the Certified Organic wing of Otter Creek, actually smells more like coffee than most coffee. Between the nose and the color-- which I would liken to that of a melted-down bar of Belgian dark chocolate miscegenated with a dollop of freshly skimmed cream-- this beer makes a memorable first impression. However, the richly layered flavors of smoky espresso, chocolate, and oatmeal are a tad off balance, and the head hardly impressed me. All things considered, a solid but not impeccable dessert beer.

74, Kensy