Stouts are not for everyone. Packed with flavor, they can be heaven for an experienced beer lover, but a lot less enjoyable for someone with a less-refined palate.
That's where this week's new beer comes in. The Down ‘n Dirty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout is a kind of training wheels for the style—it's accessible, drinkable and pleasant for the newbies, while staying pleasant, if a little weak, for the pros.
With all beers, proper serving is important; you wouldn't swig a fine wine straight from the bottle, and you should avoid that mistake with beer as well, especially this one. Years of conditioning from Bud Light and Miller commercials has trained too many drinkers to consume beer ice cold (i.e. when the mountains tell you it's a ""code blue"") and straight from the bottle. But as any true beer drinker will tell you, serving makes a world of difference.
If you have Tyranena's Down ‘n Dirty chilled and straight from the bottle, you won't exactly spit it out—even in the wrong conditions it's nice. Give it a good pour and serve it at room temperature, however, and the beer comes alive.
A beautiful, dark and full head covers a very enjoyable brew, with the initial sweetness of the chocolate transitioning to a somewhat bitter oatmeal finish. The silky-smooth stout weighs in at 6.30 ABV to help us stay warm as winter drags on while balancing its flavors to stay very drinkable.
For those who are normally wary of stouts and the punch they can pack, I appreciated the mellowed flavors. Those with a better appreciation of the style, however, argued that compared to other interpretations of the style Down ‘n Dirty came up short. It is accessible and enjoyable, but ultimately it could have been even more intense—for that reason it can't quite reach the four-star mark of a truly quality beer.
Tyranena has made a solid beer, and definitely the kind our panel would buy again to enjoy with friends. If you're looking for a full-bodied stout that will really flood the senses, however, Down ‘n Dirty won't quite satisfy.
Best enjoyed when: Sitting around a campfire with friends.
Best served: In a pint glass, at room temperature.
Grade: 3 1/2 Beers (Out of 5)
