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 one of the few scattered across the midwest.
20242019
Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout has a 5% ABV and 33 IBU. When I originally reviewed this beer, I was pouring it from a 32 oz. crowler can. But this time I’m pouring it from a 12 ounce can, which is how they’re currently packaged over at Neff. 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?
Stouts are one of my favorite types of gluten free beers to review. Partly because stouts used to be a bit rare in the gluten free market. Now that so many gluten free breweries have stepped up to the plate, there are many DAMN good stouts out there (and I want to try them all).
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 2024 Taste Test
Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout
The Astronaut Cookies Oatmeal Stout pours with an enormous head the color of toasted coconut. The head is so boisterous, that it has me wondering if my glass is too warm? The color is DENSE. To the tune of 80% dark chocolate dense. 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!
Astronaut Cookies’ Oatmeal Stout’s body tastes creamier and a bit thicker to me than it did in the past. Neff’s description that this beer is like a dark chocolate chip cookie is absolutely dead-on. It has a twinge of bitterness, like a dark chocolate covered espresso bean, and plenty of roasty malt to keep the palate salivating.
The overall mouthfeel is rich and smooth, with a chocolate-heavy flavor and a wonderfully smooth finish. It’s worthy of a dessert beer label, without being too heavy to enjoy as an appetizer–which I’m doing now–just to be sure it’s safe for all of you. ;)
Astronaut Cookies has earned itself a spot in my top 5 stouts with this one. It’s well balanced, chocolatey rich, has the perfect kick of bitterness to give it a crispness on the palate, and best of all, it’s oh so DARK.
The 2019 Taste Test
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! :)
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