This beer was recommended by my old buddy RA, one of his favourites. I saw it on the shelf and decided to validate, or dispute, his position on the subject. Will the saint be heavenly or sacrilege? Some may consider naming a beer after a saint sacrilege but I usually don’t “hang” with that crowd.
This is one of 26 St. Ambroise offerings from McAuslan out of Montreal in the belle province. There is a St. Ambroise church in Montreal just up the road from McAuslan’s brewery both on Rue Saint-Ambroise.
Oatmeal Stout, thick dark pour with a nice light head, not tan like some stouts. The aroma is strong, something akin to roasted coffee. First sip was a bit harsh, certainly flavourful. Nice mouthfeel, substantial. The harshness subsided a bit but stuck around the whole quaff. It wasn’t bitter but I wouldn’t call it smooth either. The big focus here is on a full flavoured stout which St. A definitely is. A lot of stouts today are trying to emulate Guinness, but not this one. St. Ambroise Oatmeal is its own stout and I appreciate and respect that in a stout. It is unique.
Even though it is only 5% it might be a bit too strong/harsh for the middle of the road quaffer, definitely a stout lover’s stout, which is why RA cottons to it. Even though I usually look for a smooth stout I enjoyed this bière for its full bodied flavour. Bien joué McAuslan.
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