Oak Barrel Stout

[steveh]

Old Dominion Brewing Company - Ashburn, VA. 12 oz bottle, 25/MAR/2004 bottling date. 5.2 ABV. "Brewed with vanilla beans and oak chips." Though, the back of the label talks of "dry hopping" with vanilla beans (can you dry "hop" with anything but hops?). The web site says this beer is aged in oak barrels, but the label only mentions the chips.

Dark black in color with the faintest of ruby showing through. Creamy, thin tan head leaving nice lacing through the life of the beer.

Rich vanilla aroma with hints of chocolate. Some DMS and piney hops coming out with warming.

Roasted malt flavor with creamy vanilla back. Spicy, piney hops in the finish and roasty, oakiness lingering in aftertaste.

Smooth, creamy mouth feel with medium to heavy body, yet not leaving an over-filling impression.

Very rich, flavorful brew, yet not overpowering with alcohol. A pleasantly chewy beer for those times when nothing less than a Porter or Stout will do. I've had other cask aged stouts with more character from aging, but that doesn't take away from the OBS being a fine drinking experience.

Thanks to Chaz, I have a second bottle of OBS that I will taste in the future and compare to these notes.

S.

[chazwicke]

I had 3 or 4 of them while camping and enjoyed them emensely. my only complaint is that they followed several margaritas. I think this is one of Old Dominions better recent efforts and while a stout is not my usual first choice I did thoroughly enjoy this beer. I have yet to have it on cask but since I live very near the brewery I think I'll pop over for a taste when they have it on. I also need to sample this in an "unimpared state" for a true sampling. Thanks for your review.

[Budman]

The bottled version is not oak barrel aged (way to expensive for mass production in bottles). They use the vanilla and oak chips to obtain a flavor very close to the original. Very good beer, although I definitely like the draft a little bit better

[newportstorm]

I was initially disappointed with the OBS. I poured it at around cellar temp and didn't get much out of the first half-glass. As it warmed toward room temp, it really opened up with the roasty chocolate, sweet vanilla and toasty oak. Nice! Luckily, I have two more bottles and will drink those a little warmer so I can give a fair review.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Budman
The bottled version is not oak barrel aged

Thanks for that added info, I wasn't sure based on info I had.

Newport: I found the same thing. Though I allowed it to warm some before drinking, I also kept my hands wrapped around my half-imperial pint glass annd that helped bring out aromas and flavors. The Chinook hop nose and flavor are a great balance to the roasted malts and don't clash with the creamy vanilla sweetness.

S.

[chazwicke]

I recently had some of this on draught. I have been seeing it all over the place. It is an exceptional beer on draught. I'll have it again very soon.

[zoom6zoom]

This is one that you'll pretty much always find in my fridge...
The barrelled version at the brewpub is a mite nicer in my option, was up there on Friday. (also picked up a few 6's of Millenium and this year's Spring Brew (will try to add some notes later), as well as a growler of Winter Brew).

I also enjoy the Oak Barrel with a scoop of coffee or vanilla bean ice cream dropped in.

[chazwicke]

I agree this one is one of Old Dominions best efforts. I have been having it in bottles for a long time. The draught version is exquisite. Do you go to the pub often? I live in Centreville and sometimes stop by the pub too.

[zoom6zoom]

Not as often as I'd like...
One of my clients is in Sterling, and so I try to drop in when I'm up there, usually it's mid-afternoon, probably only every other month or so.

Just posted my first tasting notes on the new Spring Brew.

[chazwicke]

Great! I'll check them out. Have not tried it yet.