Neff Brewing Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout

Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout

Brewed By Neff Brewing In Oklahoma

It’s time for dessert! Today’s taste test is for the Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout brewed by Neff Brewing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Neff Brewing (formerly New Era Fine Fermentations) is Oklahoma’s only dedicated gluten free brewery, and they’re one of the newest additions to this list.

Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout has a 5% ABV and 33 IBU. I’m pouring it from a 32 oz. crowler can. Before we continue to the taste test, I want to share the mouth-watering description Neff Brewing released alongside this stout.

Dark roasted rice and chocolate millet malts along with a healthy amount of toasted oats make this beer taste like a dark chocolate chip cookie that was freshly dipped into the Milky Way.

You thirsty yet?

The Taste Test

Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout

The Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout poured with a generous head that doesn’t rush off. It’s the color of 80% dark chocolate. A rich brownish black that’s completely opaque, even when held up to the light. It’s a truly beautiful beer…here’s to hoping the body matches the visual presentation!

Stouts are one of my favorite types of gluten free beers to review. Partly because stouts are a bit rare in the gluten free market. Certainly becoming less-so as time passes, but right now, not every gluten free brewery makes a flagship stout. Most of them only produce a seasonal offering that we can look froward to once a year.

The other reason I love reviewing stouts is because I find stout aromas to be intoxicating. This one is no exception. It’s packed full of espresso notes, and darkly roasted malt. There’s also a lot of chocolate and a detectable bitterness on the nose, a confusing twist to the senses. (By the way, the head still hasn’t completely disappeared.)

The taste matches the aroma quite well, but the body is lighter than I expected it to be. The flavors are powerful, but not overwhelming. I’m getting much less espresso on the palate, and way more of the dark roast and cacao notes. There’s also a notable brightness within this stout. It’s almost a bit fruity. Not stone fruit though. More like a orange. The overall flavor reminds me a bit of an orange chocolate bar.

The body tastes fairly medium for a stout, but it’s not watery at all, just not super dense. It’s not as dark and heavy as it looks. This actually makes it a pretty easy-drinking stout. It’s 5% ABV feels modest enough for me to put down this whole crowler myself, without any guilt. (Actually, let’s be real…there would be no guilt either way. Ha!)

Overall, I like this stout. Not my favorite on the market, largely due to my desire for a slightly thicker body, but still a great one nonetheless. It’s just a bit Irish-like in the mouthfeel. The flavor is fantastic. The carbonation is perfect, and the aroma is lovely. I loved the head too.

As of the writing of this review, Neff Brewing still has this beer on draft at the Tulsa taproom. To check if that’s still current, visit their website and click “See What’s On Tap” right there on the homepage. If this stout sounds like your cup of tea and you’re lucky enough to be nearby, head in there and snag a pint for yourself! Then let me know what you thought of it. :)

P.S. Like what I do for the gluten free beer community? Consider buying me a beer for my efforts! ;)