The Swill: Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
The Still: Goose Island Brewing Company
Stockyard Brewing Company (D.B.A.)
Chicago, Illinois
http://www.gooseisland.com/
The Drill: Oatmeal stout, 12oz bottle, 5.0% ABV
The Spill: More an American stout than an oatmeal, it presents a deeper, more bitter personality than the usually chocolately-sweet style. Like the malt found in dark beers, the oats are roasted, giving them a dark, toasty flavor to add to their natural sweetness. The result is a full-flavored beer that's more muddy than silky, more bitter than sweet, and more American than English: three criteria that raise the bar--and the tap rating--for this drinker.
Says Bill: I've only seen this beer at Trader Joe's, and, judging by all the online reviews I read, I think that's the only place it's available. Most likely, Trader Joe's has contracted Goose Island Brewing Company to create this beer (see their oatmeal stout at the above website) and allow TJ's to put their own label on it. It's a practice that's fairly commonplace, though annoying when you're trying to do research.
Refill?: Sure, and if someone out there wants to send me some of the Goose Island stuff, I'll drink them side-by-side for comparison: 4 taps out of 5.