Bissell Brothers Coffee Umbra Oatmeal Stout

Bissell Brothers' Coffee Umbra is an oatmeal stout from Maine, a style that gets its character from two things: dark roasted malt and a good proportion of oats in the grist. The oats add protein and beta-glucans, which give oatmeal stouts a rounder, silkier body than a standard dry stout of similar strength. The "Coffee" in the name points to coffee being added to the beer, so expect roasted-bean aroma and flavor layered over the stout's own malt profile. The listing doesn't give ABV or IBU, so check the can or bottle for those figures. Oatmeal stouts like this usually lean toward cocoa, dark toast and bittersweet chocolate. Coffee tends to reinforce those roasted notes and can add a faint espresso edge on the finish. Hop bitterness is generally restrained in the style, so the bitterness you taste mostly comes from the roast, not the hops. That makes the beer smooth and balanced rather than sharp, with a mild sweetness from the oats and unfermented malt sugars. For serving, pour it cool rather than ice cold. A range of about 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F) is typical for stouts, and it lets the roast and coffee aromatics open up. Straight from a cold fridge, the flavors stay muted and the body can feel thin, so give the bottle or can 10 to 15 minutes on the counter first. A tulip or nonic pint glass works well. A snifter-style tulip narrows at the top to hold the coffee aroma, while a nonic is a comfortable everyday choice. Pour with a firm stream down the center of the glass to build a tan head, then let it settle before the first sip. On the table, the roast and light sweetness suit foods that can stand up to them. Try it with smoked brisket or sausages, aged cheddar, or a baked-in-the-skillet dish like cornbread with chili. For dessert, brownies, vanilla ice cream (poured over as a float if you like), or anything built on dark chocolate or hazelnut will echo the coffee in the glass.