About This Beer
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout 50cl 4.7% is a distinctive Irish craft beer from Dungarvan Brewing Company in County Waterford. Combining locally produced oats, carefully selected coffee and traditional roasted barley, this seasonal oatmeal stout offers a rich, flavourful interpretation of one of Ireland's best-loved beer styles.
Originally developed as a winter seasonal release, Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout brings together two ingredients that complement the natural character of stout: coffee and oatmeal.
The beer is brewed using Flahavan's oats, produced in County Waterford, and coffee specially roasted by Irish coffee specialists Badger & Dodo.
These ingredients contribute to a stout that balances roasted malt intensity with a smooth, rounded texture and distinctive coffee flavour.
Oatmeal stout is a traditional variation of stout in which oats contribute to the beer's texture and overall balance.
While roasted barley provides the dark colour, roasted flavours and bitterness associated with stout, oats help soften the drinking experience.
The result is a beer that can deliver considerable flavour without feeling excessively heavy.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout demonstrates this balance particularly well.
At 4.7% ABV, it sits comfortably within the strength range of traditional Irish stout, offering an alternative to stronger imperial stouts.
The addition of coffee introduces earthy espresso aromas and flavours that complement the roasted barley.
Dark chocolate and toasted grain notes add further complexity, while the finish remains relatively dry.
With 41 IBU, the beer has a noticeable bitterness that helps balance its malt and coffee character.
Unlike sweeter dessert-inspired stouts, Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout is built around the interaction between roasted grains, coffee and a smooth oatmeal texture.
The coffee selection has varied between seasonal releases, allowing the brewery to explore different aromatic characteristics while maintaining the beer's recognisable style.
This makes it an interesting choice for customers who appreciate both Irish craft beer and speciality coffee.
The 50cl bottle provides a generous serving, making it suitable for a relaxed evening or as part of a tasting selection of Irish dark beers.
For stout enthusiasts, Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout offers an opportunity to explore how coffee and oats can enhance a familiar beer style without overwhelming its traditional character.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep brown to black, with a tan-coloured head and an inviting roasted malt character.
Aroma: Earthy espresso, freshly roasted coffee, dark chocolate and toasted grains.
Taste: Roasted barley and coffee lead into cocoa, subtle nutty flavours and balanced bitterness, finishing with lingering dry coffee notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and smooth, with the oats contributing a rounded texture that balances the roasted malt character.
Coffee is one of the defining features of this beer.
Its earthy espresso notes complement the natural coffee-like flavours produced by roasted barley.
This creates a layered coffee character rather than a simple addition of sweetness.
The oats provide an important contrast.
They contribute a softer, more rounded mouthfeel that helps balance the bitterness from the roasted grains and hops.
Dark chocolate notes add another dimension, bringing a subtle cocoa character to the beer.
The finish is relatively dry, with lingering coffee and roasted malt flavours.
At 4.7% ABV, the beer offers considerable flavour without the intensity associated with higher-strength imperial stouts.
Its 41 IBU also helps maintain balance, preventing the malt character from becoming overly sweet.
The result is an Irish oatmeal stout that feels rich and satisfying while remaining approachable.
For the best drinking experience, serve it cool rather than ice-cold in a suitable stout glass.
Allowing the beer to warm slightly can help its coffee, chocolate and roasted malt aromas become more expressive.
About the Brewery
Dungarvan Brewing Company is an independent Irish craft brewery based in Dungarvan, County Waterford.
Founded in 2010, the brewery was established during the early development of Ireland's modern craft beer movement.
Its beers draw inspiration from traditional brewing styles while reflecting the landscape and local identity of West Waterford.
Dungarvan Brewing Company has become particularly associated with its range of traditional-style Irish and European-inspired beers.
The brewery's portfolio includes Black Rock Irish Stout, Copper Coast Red Ale, Helvick Gold Blonde Ale and Mine Head American Pale Ale.
These beers demonstrate the brewery's approach to producing balanced, flavourful expressions of established styles.
Black Rock Irish Stout provides a classic interpretation of Irish dry stout, emphasising roasted malt and a dry finish.
Copper Coast Red Ale explores the caramel malt and balanced bitterness associated with Irish red ale.
Helvick Gold offers a lighter blonde ale alternative, while Mine Head introduces a more hop-forward American pale ale character.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout provides a different perspective on the brewery's dark beer production.
By incorporating Flahavan's oats and speciality coffee, the brewery creates a stout that combines familiar roasted malt flavours with additional texture and aromatic complexity.
The use of local ingredients is an important part of the beer's identity.
Flahavan's is a long-established Irish oat producer based in County Waterford, making its oats a particularly appropriate ingredient for a stout brewed in Dungarvan.
Badger & Dodo is an Irish speciality coffee roaster whose coffee has been used in the beer's seasonal releases.
The combination reflects the brewery's interest in collaborating with other Irish producers and highlighting locally associated ingredients.
The coffee selected for the beer has varied between releases.
This approach allows different coffee characteristics to influence the stout while preserving the overall balance between roasted barley, oatmeal and coffee.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout has been part of the brewery's seasonal range for many years, developing a following among Irish stout enthusiasts.
Its continued appeal reflects the compatibility of coffee and roasted malt, two flavours that naturally complement one another.
The beer also demonstrates that a flavourful stout does not need an exceptionally high ABV.
At 4.7%, it offers a rich drinking experience while retaining the balance expected from a traditional oatmeal stout.
Dungarvan Brewing Company's wider range provides opportunities to explore different beer styles from the same producer.
From classic Irish stout to red ale and American pale ale, the brewery's beers reflect a commitment to traditional styles and distinctive regional identity.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout stands out through its combination of coffee, oats and roasted barley, creating a recognisable expression of Irish craft brewing.
Food Pairings
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout is particularly well suited to food pairings that complement its roasted coffee, dark chocolate and smooth oatmeal character.
Its balanced bitterness and dry finish make it versatile with both savoury dishes and desserts.
Chocolate desserts are among the most natural pairings.
A rich chocolate brownie complements the beer's cocoa and roasted malt flavours.
Dark chocolate cake provides a similarly satisfying combination, particularly when the dessert is not excessively sweet.
Chocolate mousse is another excellent option.
The smooth texture of the dessert contrasts with the beer's roasted bitterness, while the chocolate flavours complement the coffee notes.
Tiramisu is especially appropriate because it combines coffee, cocoa and cream.
The beer's espresso character echoes the coffee in the dessert, while the oatmeal texture provides a rounded contrast.
For savoury food, beef stew is a classic stout pairing.
Slow-cooked beef, onions, mushrooms and rich gravy provide deep savoury flavours that complement roasted barley.
The beer's dry finish helps balance the richness of the dish.
Roasted mushrooms offer another excellent pairing.
Their earthy, savoury flavour works naturally with coffee and roasted malt.
A mushroom and lentil pie can provide a satisfying vegetarian alternative.
Mushroom risotto is also worth considering, particularly when prepared with a rich stock and a modest amount of mature cheese.
Barbecued foods provide further possibilities.
Smoked beef, grilled mushrooms and caramelised onions offer roasted and savoury flavours that complement the stout.
Avoid excessively sweet barbecue sauces, which may overwhelm the beer's relatively dry character.
Cheese is another interesting option.
Mature Cheddar provides sharpness and savoury depth that contrast with the beer's roasted flavours.
Aged Gouda offers nutty and caramel-like characteristics that complement the oatmeal and coffee.
Blue cheese can create a more intense pairing, especially when served with toasted bread or nuts.
For a simple accompaniment, try roasted hazelnuts or walnuts.
Their toasted flavours complement the beer's nutty and roasted malt notes.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout is also enjoyable without food.
Its balance of coffee, chocolate, oats and roasted barley makes it a satisfying beer to savour on its own.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout, there are several other Irish dark beers worth exploring.
Brehon Ulster Black Oatmeal Stout 50cl 5% is a particularly relevant comparison.
Brewed by Brehon Brewhouse, it combines roasted coffee and dark chocolate flavours with the smooth texture associated with oatmeal stout.
Comparing the two beers offers an opportunity to explore how different Irish breweries interpret the oatmeal stout style.
Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout places particular emphasis on the combination of specially roasted coffee and locally produced oats.
Brehon Ulster Black offers another interpretation of the style, with its own balance of roasted malt, chocolate and oatmeal character.
For customers who enjoy traditional Irish stout, other dry stouts provide an interesting comparison.
Irish dry stout typically places greater emphasis on roasted barley, restrained sweetness and a crisp finish.
Oatmeal stout introduces additional softness and texture, creating a different drinking experience.
Coffee stouts provide another avenue for exploration.
Some focus on bold espresso flavours, while others introduce subtler coffee characteristics that complement the roasted malt.
Stronger imperial coffee stouts can offer more intense chocolate, coffee and dark fruit flavours, although they typically have a much higher ABV.
For a broader selection of Irish and international dark beers, browse our Stout & Porter collection.
This category includes a variety of stout and porter styles, from traditional Irish stout to oatmeal stout, coffee stout and stronger imperial expressions.
Whether you're exploring Irish craft stout, discovering the influence of oats in brewing or looking for a beer that combines coffee and dark chocolate flavours, Dungarvan Coffee & Oatmeal Stout 50cl 4.7% offers a distinctive and satisfying choice.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15