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Otter Creek Couch Surfer

Named after one of its home states largest rivers, Vermont’s Otter Creek Brewery has been crafting delicious brews since 1991. After it was acquired by Long Trail Brewing Company in 2006, Master Brewer Mike Gerhardt, formerly of Dogfish Head, joined Otter Creek and kicked off his new role by spending months learning every position in the brewery in order to fully absorb the company’s culture and style. The company underwent an array of changes under its new leadership including a fresh new logo and the discontinuation of its original recipes like Copper Ale, Stovepipe Porter and Black IPA.

Gerhardt is credited with inspiring the majority of Otter Creek’s current selection, label artwork and product names. His beloved orange Volkswagen bus dubbed “Fresh Slice” was the inspiration for both the name and label design of the respective beer toting the same title. The Backseat Berner IPA was named in honor of Gerhardt’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Oslo, whose depiction can be found adorning several of the Otter Creek labels including their Couch Surfer Oatmeal Stout.

Couch Surfer is a leading example of the type of laid back yet high quality style that Otter Creek is known for. This exceptionally smooth and almost creamy Oatmeal Stout offers a 5.4% ABV and an IBU (International Bittering Units) of 32. It pours almost black in color with a moderate but lingering head and robust, velvety flavors of intensely roasted malts, cocoa and mocha. Beer Advocate scored it with an 87 and beer aficionados added comments like “top notch stout,” “silky mouth-feel,” and “luscious.”  A touch lighter than some of its heavier Oatmeal Stout competition, this is the perfect beer for both sipping away the end of the winter chill and welcoming in the beginnings of warmer weather.

-Kelsey, Divine Wines