{"title":"Twisted Hippo","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"twisted-hippo-black-umbrella-4pk","title":"Twisted Hippo Black Umbrella 4Pk","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwisted Hippo Black Umbrella 4Pk\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 7.5% ABV oatmeal rye stout from Chicago's Twisted Hippo Brewing, sold as a four-pack. Rated 87\/100 (\"Very Good\") on BeerAdvocate, this hybrid stout merges creamy oat richness with a distinctive rye spice backbone rarely found in the style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Oatmeal Rye Stout  |  Brewery: Twisted Hippo Brewing\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwisted Hippo Brewing operates out of Chicago, Illinois, contributing to the city's thriving craft beer scene. Black Umbrella is built on a grain bill that incorporates both oats and rye alongside standard barley malt — the oats lend body and silkiness, while the rye introduces a peppery, bread-like complexity uncommon in traditional oatmeal stouts. The result is a beer that bridges two grain-forward styles into a single, cohesive expression at a robust 7.5% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rye bread leads the nose, followed by cocoa and a faint earthy spice. A subtle dark-fruit sweetness lingers underneath, hinting at tart berry or cherry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is smooth and creamy, with oatmeal sweetness giving way to cocoa and roasted grain at mid-palate. As the beer warms, spicy rye notes become more pronounced, adding a peppery edge that keeps the mouthfeel from tipping into heavy territory. Despite the 7.5% ABV, the body skews lighter than expected for the style, making it surprisingly approachable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium in length with a dry, spicy rye tail and residual cocoa bitterness. The oat creaminess recedes cleanly, leaving a balanced interplay of grain and roast.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Black Umbrella\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Umbrella drinks best at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, poured into a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate the cocoa and rye aromatics. Pouring too cold mutes the spice character, so let it warm briefly if refrigerated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStout Float:\u003c\/strong\u003e A scoop of vanilla ice cream plays off the cocoa and rye spice, creating a grown-up dessert drink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Velvet variation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blend with dry sparkling cider for a lighter, effervescent take that highlights the tart berry undertones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeer Cocktail with Amaro:\u003c\/strong\u003e A half-ounce of a bitter herbal liqueur like Averna amplifies the roasted grain and spice notes already present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFall and winter evening sessions when something roasty but not heavy hits the mark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharing with craft beer fans who appreciate grain-forward experimentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing nights centered around smoked meats or rich chocolate desserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing stout drinkers to the added dimension rye grain brings to dark beer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Black Umbrella taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Umbrella delivers creamy oatmeal stout character — cocoa, roasted malt, and a smooth body — layered with spicy, peppery rye bread notes. It drinks lighter than its 7.5% ABV suggests, with a tart berry edge on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Black Umbrella compare to a traditional oatmeal stout?\u003c\/strong\u003e A classic oatmeal stout relies on oats for body and smoothness, while Black Umbrella adds rye to the grain bill, introducing a spicy, bread-like complexity and slightly drier finish not found in conventional examples like Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Black Umbrella good for sipping?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — at 7.5% ABV with a lighter body than most stouts in this range, it rewards slow sipping at cellar temperature where the rye spice and cocoa nuances develop as the beer warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Black Umbrella made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Umbrella is brewed by Twisted Hippo Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery is part of Chicago's robust independent craft beer community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Black Umbrella?\u003c\/strong\u003e Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the roasted grain and rye spice. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa notes. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the malt sweetness. Rye bread with smoked salmon echoes the grain bill directly. Mole-braised dishes align with both the spice and the chocolate character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Black Umbrella come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Umbrella is available as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format for this release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Black Umbrella worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Umbrella positions as a mid-range craft stout, and its hybrid oatmeal-rye grain bill offers a distinctive twist that justifies its place alongside other specialty stouts in the category. The 87\/100 BeerAdvocate score and 3.7 Untappd rating reflect solid critical and consumer approval for the price tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Black Umbrella?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe oatmeal rye stout style is uncommon territory, and Black Umbrella executes it with clarity — the oats and rye each pull their weight without one overwhelming the other. An 87\/100 BeerAdvocate score confirms this is a well-built beer, not a novelty. The lighter body at 7.5% ABV makes it more sessionable than many stouts in the same ABV range, broadening its appeal beyond dedicated dark-beer drinkers. For anyone looking to explore what rye grain does inside a stout framework, this is one of the more accessible entry points available from an independent Chicago brewery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Twisted Hippo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44838372671657,"sku":"32661","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/twisted-hippo.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}