Oatmeal Stout

What is Oatmeal Stout?

Oatmeal stout is a stout brewed with up to 20% oatmeal. Oats have a significant concentration of water-soluble lipids and proteins that give the beer a smooth texture and a rich body. Roasted malts infuse the beer with notes of chocolate, caramel, and coffee.

Oatmeal stout is usually somewhat sweeter than traditional dry stout but less sweet than milk stout.

Origin Story

Oatmeal stouts became popular in England in the late 19th century, where stouts in general, and particularly oatmeal stouts, were associated with healthy nutrition and considered rejuvenating beverages.

By the mid-20th century, however, this style had largely faded. A mention of oatmeal stout in Michael Jackson’s 1977 book The World Guide to Beer inspired an American beer importer Charles Finkel. He commissioned British brewery Samuel Smith to create a new version of oatmeal stout. 

Since the release of Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, the popularity of this style has slowly grown. Even though it remains a niche beer, there are over 100 oatmeal stouts available on the market.