Drinks: Empyrean's Collapsar Oatmeal Stout

When Empyrean first began pouring their oatmeal stout, reactions amounted to a resounding ‘not bad, but….’

You see, acifionados of the style have become accustomed to muscle-bound fillers, densely flavored and bitter in temperament. Empyrean’s effort drew furrowed brows due to its relatively easy nature and sweet disposition.

The Lincoln-based brewery apparently learned from the early shrugs. Collapsar Oatmeal Stout rises from the glass with soothing hearthstone aromas: charred malt, dark roasted coffee, gritty dust—even a hint of chocolate cream.

Initial impressions suggested a cold night, a...