Day 13 of the 4th Annual Advent-ure Calendar

Day 13: Great Lakes Brewing Company Ohio City Oatmeal Stout

The first of two Great Lakes beers on the list! The Ohio City Oatmeal Stout is “dark and roasty yet light and smooth as a fresh coat of snow, our Oatmeal Stout will kick your cabin fever and inspire you to toss another log on the fire.” It’s exciting having another Great Lakes beer on the list because most people think of their Christmas Ale as THE Christmas ale of the season so let’s see how this one holds up across the entire spectrum of our winter selections.

Reflections

Beard & Broad
Beard: Damn, I don’t remember this beer being this good last year. It was good, but I don’t recall liking it as much as I do now. It’s thick and roasty and creamy and chocolatey, but still finishes rather light and dry. It’s like drinking a chocolate milkshake but not feeling like heavy garbage afterward. Instead I feel like light, joyful, wintery non-garbage. I’m buying this again and going to be drinking a lot of it.

Broad: Truth be told, I was excited for this one because I remembered really liking this one. Upon opening the bottle, the aroma is sweet and roasty. The first sip is truly glorious. It’s toasty and roasty. I get notes of toffee, coffee and maybe some chocolate. It is so crazy smooth but yet so bold in flavor. I truly am in love with this beer. I’m super picky about dark beers like porters and stouts and this one just takes the cake. I will say it’s also a nice change of pace from the spicy holiday ales.

Adam & Alex
Adam: GLBC Oatmeal stout is basically a flawless example of stout. Outside of Guinness this is my favorite dark beer. I get loads of coffee and a little toffee and chocolate and malty deliciousness. I want to drink this always and forever. Merry Christmas. Holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol.

Alex:  I love Great Lakes Oatmeal Stout.  It tastes like coffee to me with a hint of chocolate and smokiness.  It’s a nice change from all of the holiday spices we normally get.  I will drink this time and again.

Scott & Christa
Scott: The Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout is a complex one.  It’s a very light beer drinking-wise, but it does have a strong toasty and almost smoky taste that I’m not sure if I enjoy.  I’m a huge lover of stouts, so I immediately appreciate drinking this style beer but I probably won’t be purchasing any of these for my Christmas beer stockpile in the future.  It’s okay though Great Lakes, the legendary Christmas Ale will always be in my fridge (until I drink it).

Christa: For some reason, I’ve convinced myself that oatmeal stouts are going to be sweet. I love oatmeal, I eat it every day and I’ll shove you out of the way for oatmeal cookies. But, when it’s in beer, I am not a fan. This one is more savory, almost smokey. To be honest it’s like nothing I’ve ever tried. I don’t hate this, it’s super interesting and I feel like each sip is unique. It’s robust in flavor like a bold coffee roast. It’s not something I want to drink a lot of but I am interested enough to buy it again. She’s an enigma.

Tony & Megan
Tony: One of my absolute favorite beers of any season! I’m a darker beer, porter, stout kinda guy and this is a great one. Its dark, chocolatey, and you get some of that good smokey, roasty coffee flavor. It’s smooth with bold flavor and just all around a great beer.

Megan:  I must admit, I’ve had this before and I’m a big fan of this beer!! I love how it’s dark and warm but not heavy. This is a perfect winter ale and one of my favorite Great Lakes beer. It’s not bitter or spicy. It’s smooth with a roasted smokiness. Love love love ❤️