Harviestoun Old Engine Oil (Bottle)

Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale
Alva, Central, Scotland

This should be good... poured out a thick black liquid, spotty lacing from the ok sized dark brown cap that keeps a tight lid on the surface. After the first sniff I went straight to the Beerium, retrieved a bottle of Youngs Double Chocolate Stout and tossed it in the fridge so I can compare (Youngs is one of my all time favs). Dry smelling chocolate aromas blended in finely not only with the plumy / figs but also with some hops, a bit of that salty peat smell (faint), a hint of beyond sweet licorice, ample roasted malts, a drop of coffee and leaves the lingering impression of a old wooden garage that has not had a lot of air flow in it. The whole thing is subtle on the nose. The taste is pretty good: lots of roasted malts, zip from the hops, balanced fruitiness that leans a bit to a candied flavour, slight resinous. odd, I’m finding that some sips have a spot where it seems a bit watered down. If I didn’t know this was 8% by reading the label I would have never guessed. Full bodied, smooth, finishes with a coffee bitterness without the coffee... noticed some toffee smells near the bottom of my glass. I really liked it but it was not what I hoped. I’m going to get that bottle of Youngs Double Choc and place it back in the Beerium for another time - to compare these two beers is pointless.

Flavor is up front and pretty intense. Pours dark almost black color. Aroma is malty with chocolaty undertones. Overall an excellent brew

Pours black with a light brown head. Aroma is malty with a strong coffee and chocolate presence, yet very smooth. Flavor is of dark chocolate and roast malt. One of the maltiest beers I’ve ever had, but very good.

Bottle. A little let down by the name Old Engine Oil...maybe I’m spoiled by Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, but this is no 10W-50. Pours dark brown with a good-sized tan head that retains well down the glass. Good lacing. Aroma is subdued, some roasted malts and a little hops. Flavor is very roasted, coffee, some chocolate and smoke and bitter hops on the finish. Medium carbonation. Mouthfeel is nice, a bit on the thin side with a dry finish.

Black,lasting tan head.Great chocolate malt nose. Sweet chocolate start,medium strength long long dry bitter hop end

330 ml bottle. Pours balck with a slight red tint. Nice big caramel coloured head, which doesn’t dissapear quickly. Nice aroma, coffee, chocolate and a hint of hops, similar results on tasting. Palate is light and smooth, fine carbonation, not heavy at all. Quite good!

Dark reddish brown, almost black, with a ring of light brown bubbles. Aroma is alcoholic, with chocolate, raisins and prunes, toffee and toasted notes. Flavour is of bitter dark chocolate, coffee, caramell, with loads of dark fruits, some smoke and earthy notes. I imagine this is what an imp stout and a bock would taste like blended and barrel aged. Mouthfeel is thick and smooth. I enjoyed this a lot!

Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate, peat, earth. Beautiful appearance, an inpenitrable brown/black, thick tan head. The flavor is smoky, peat, then moving into roasted coffee, and unmistakable unsweetened chocolate. Very enjoyable, especially as it warms up. The finish is roasted coffee beans, some earthy hops. Very decent beverage overall. This is an unusual style, which this beer represents well. However, it’s not my favorite in this category to be sure.