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Oskar Blues Old Chub
Longmont, Colorado
BJCP Category: 9E Strong Scotch Ale
Oskar Blues Brewery <visit site>
42
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[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Very nice strong Scotch ale that’s a bit heavy on the smoked malt but still in the spirit of the style. Complexity is welcomed and the result is a great alternative to the hoppy beer trend. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Complex malty aroma, sweet with smoky notes, hints of caramel and a bit of dark, pit-fruit esters. No hop aroma. No diacetyl. No DMS. Noticeable alcohol, but not hot or fusel. A clean ale aroma that is very inviting and style appropriate with only a bit of excessive smokiness. (11/12)
Appearance: Dark brown with ruby highlights. Clear to bright clarity. Dense, rocky, tan head with very good retention initially that fades to nothing over time. (3/3)
Flavor: Smoky, sweet malt flavor with emphasis on caramel and smoked malts. There’s a fairly firm bitter backbone. Starts out almost cloyingly sweet but hop bitterness lingers in the finish so that it doesn’t finish as sweet as it starts out, resulting in a pleasant balance. Smoke is high compared to the best examples of the style. No diacetyl. No DMS. Fruity fermentation and malt esters reminiscent of plums and raisins. Alcohol is noticeable but subtle in the background. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied. Creamy, smooth, chewy mouthfeel. No astringency. Big alcohol warmth. (5/5)
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Overall Impression: Very nice strong Scotch ale that’s a bit heavy on the smoked malt but still in the spirit of the style. Complexity is welcomed and the result is a great alternative to the hoppy beer trend. More subtle use of smoked malt would create a better interpretation of the style. This beer went down well with an aged gorgonzola I had on hand. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Confectionary without being cloyingly sweet, like a pastry strudel. Complex array of flavors from rich roast to sweet to clean, all supported by a strong malt backbone. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Deep, rich caramel maltiness with hints of peaty smoke. Lots of caramel; no hop aroma. Low fruitiness of cooked, dried prunes. (8/12)
Appearance: Deep red-black with garnet highlights shining through. Lovely cascade of bubbles as the beer is poured into the glass illustrates fine carbonation and evident viscosity. Creamy light tan foam persists. (3/3)
Flavor: Malty richness follows the aroma with stronger smoke note of ham or bacon rather than peat. A hint of hop bitterness adds balance to the malt-forward presentation. No hop flavor. A low roastiness mixes with the smoke mid-palate, giving way to a malty sweetness before finishing with a clean, lightly roasty finish. Dried prune flavor accentuates the sweetness midway, continuing into the finish. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with subtle carbonation. Smooth, creamy texture with a low alcohol warmth. Warming lingers past the finish. (5/5)
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Overall Impression: Confectionary without being cloyingly sweet, like a pastry strudel. Complex array of flavors from rich roast to sweet to clean, all supported by a strong malt backbone. Reminds me of real mincemeat pies of venison, beef, and pork with currants and a puff pastry crust topped with real crème fraiche. Smoky note is an intriguing dimension. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This was an enjoyable and well-crafted beer that delivers a lot of flavor from a can. It was a little too smoky for a strict interpretation of the Scotch ale style, so it would likely score better in the more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: The peaty character in the aroma is interesting, but intense enough to make this more of a smoked beer than a traditional Scotch ale. I pick up some roasted malt in the background, along with caramel and toffee notes. The fermentation character is clean, with only a light fruitiness that is consistent with the style. Some alcohol emerges as it warms. (9/12)
Appearance: Deep burgundy color with excellent clarity. The head is linen white in color with good uniformity. Enticing. (3/3)
Flavor: Nice malt backbone, with a complex blend of toffee, caramel, and smoked malt that carries through to roasted malts in the finish. While the smoke character in this style is often due to kettle caramelization or the yeast signature, in this case it seems like an excessive amount of smoked malt was used in the grist. The fermentation profile is clean, and the finish has an appropriate low-medium hop bitterness that is enhanced by the roasted and smoked malts. The alcohol adds a touch of sweetness to the finish. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body with some residual sweetness. There is a little too much astringency in the finish, mainly from roasted malt. The alcohol warmth is apparent without being dominant. (4/5)
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Overall Impression: This was an enjoyable and well-crafted beer that delivers a lot of flavor from a can. It was a little too smoky for a strict interpretation of the Scotch ale style, so it would likely score better in the smoked beer category. Backing off on the peated malt (if it was used) would soften the finish a little and reduce the astringency. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 45/50
Impressive beer. A touch too chocolatey but every other part of the beer is spot on. Fresh, clean and smooth. Noticeable alcohol but it doesn’t interfere. Great balance of flavors. more >
[close]Total Score: 45/50
Aroma: Rich malty nose, deeply caramelly, hints of roast, some toasty and bready notes. Complex. Some alcohol and esters. No hops. Great nose, very inviting. Sweet but in a rich, caramel way. Light chocolate notes emerge as it warms. (11/12)
Appearance: Tall tan head, retained well. Deep coppery-brown color. Nearly opaque but clear. (3/3)
Flavor: Strong, rich malt. Deep caramel, a hint of smoke or burnt in the finish, strongly toasty. Moderate esters. A milk chocolate flavor comes out in the finish; a bit too much. Medium-low bitterness; malt is clearly in the forefront. Rich flavor lasts into finish with malty sweetness and caramel lingering into the aftertaste. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Full body, creamy, smooth. Warming but not burning. Medium carbonation. (5/5)
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Overall Impression: Impressive beer. A touch too chocolatey but every other part of the beer is spot on. Fresh, clean and smooth. Noticeable alcohol but it doesn’t interfere. Great balance of flavors. Richness of malt and depth of caramel flavors are very tasty. (9/10)
