How many words are there for black?
The stout is wonderfully bold and roasty. It tastes very much like darkened malt without much else. The finish is one the sweeter side and any bitterness comes more from the burned or charred malt flavor rather than hops. I don’t think the oats add much of anything to the taste but their characteristic slickness is definitely present. The overall effect is at least medium-full bodied.
Seven and a half pounds of Maris Otter was the base of the recipe with three quarters pound of oats as the defining ingredient. Ten ounces each of Victory and chocolate malts as well as six ounces each of caramel 80 and black barley made up the remainder of the grist. A long and not particularly cool 90 minute mash and 60 minute boil checked in at 1.046 OG. The only hop addition was 1.75 oz of East Kent Goldings at the beginning of the boil. Yeast of choice was WLP002 English Ale.