Having partaken and graded a number of beers myself before I was asked to write for PHM I found myself in an interesting situation. Do I re-purchase beers I have already reviewed or do I continue to seek out new beers? I chose to do both. One such beer is this little beauty above. Wolaver is a brand name of Otter Creek Brewing Company in Middlebury, VT. It is brewed in collaboration with Panorama Brewing Company as their organic line of brews. If you visit the website (www.ottercreekbrewing.com) you can see how this is done and the green process that is used in making these beers.

What does an organic beer taste like was my first question? In my mind I thought it would taste just like a regular beer and for the most part it did. On the other hand, the thought did cross my mind that it might taste a little weak sauce or disappointing. You know feeling. After buying some butter or dressing, you bring it home, use it, taste it, hate it, and then realize its “light.” You can definitely tell the difference.

However, I was not let down by this beer the second time around. Enjoying oatmeal stouts it had all the right characteristics. The product was a dark mahogany with a simple tan head that settle rather fast. I like my oatmeal stouts to have a more pronounced oat aroma and flavor and this beer fit the bill. It was like putting your face into a bag of oats or opening the lid to the Quaker Oats jar. There was a roasted/burnt grain aroma, it smelled earthy and organic. Maybe it was the Amish workers on the bottle, but you can tell there is a natural quality to it.

The taste was of oats with some minor notes of chocolate and a few coffee hints in between. On the back end there was some bitterness from the brunt grain and nuttiness. Overall it was a very thick, chewy beer that coated the palate just enough. It has lingering oat flavors, was full bodied, rich and filling…a meal in a bottle.

Note: It did not pair as well with my Double Stuf Oreo’s as did the Samuel Smith Imperial Stout. Try it!

ABV: 5.9%

Grade: B