Nimbus Oatmeal Stout

Around 2002 or so, with a brand new car, and a full weekend free, I decided to take a road-trip to Arizona, to check out the beer scenes of Tucson and Phoenix, maybe pick up some local offerings, and maybe grab some New Belgium stuff too (NB didn't come to CA officially until 2005 or so). Well, to make a long story short, I found plenty of worthwhile brewpubs, but for bottled AZ microbrewed beers? No luck.

Nimbus was on my list back then, but only some four-and-a-half years later, has a Nimbus beer finally crossed my path. Worth the trouble and hype? Well, I don't know about the rest of the Nimbus stuff, but this particular beer is pretty damn tasty!

Very worthy in all aspects, it seems to me. Nice in the nose, aluding to the roasted character from the get-go. Immediately appealing in the smooth and yet not boring mouthfeel. I have to assume that the oatmeal helps this aspect more than a little. Very nice roasted character to the flavor profile. Dry and quaffable, without being too dry and vaguely sour (ala "Irish Style"). Just a very nice Stout, that doesn't try to get too cute or avant garde.

A very solid and well-made Stout -- and that's coming from someone who isn't a huge Stout drinker. Thumbs up here.
//TB