Old Engine Oil - Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours deep brown with a good foamy tan head, that keeps a ring all the way down the pint. Nice lace rings.

Wow. Like a mini rauchbier. Roasty? You bet. I get a good whiff of smoke in this one, with rich roasted malt notes and even some blackstrap molasses.

Where to start-- Charred malt, with nice roasty undertones. An understated bitterness that works perfectly, leading to some creaminess/slight sweetness in the taste and mouthfeel that clears the palate and ultimately leads to the finish, which is bitter chocolate, french roast coffee, and...this graininess that is long and bitter. This is just layer after layer of flavor.

Medium-full bodied, but not thick at all. A bit of carbonation at the end of the sip.

A rare 5.0 here. Have seen this for years and never jumped. This is absolutely fantastic. One of the best porters I've ever had if not the best porter hands down.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 00:09:49 | More by OtherShoe2

jonnyrice

Vermont

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-21-2013 01:44:40 | More by jonnyrice

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-21-2013 01:12:55 | More by johntfox

djcreepshow

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-17-2013 05:18:25 | More by djcreepshow

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-16-2013 22:37:52 | More by Slatetank

HarmonMW

Michigan

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-13-2013 22:11:18 | More by HarmonMW

jkball01

Kentucky

2.5/5  rDev -39.6%

05-13-2013 16:38:17 | More by jkball01

Mersh

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%

05-08-2013 19:37:10 | More by Mersh

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-08-2013 03:46:30 | More by dalepryor

JMS1512

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-03-2013 17:59:50 | More by JMS1512

lupercmda

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

05-01-2013 03:33:15 | More by lupercmda

mtbdonn

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%

04-30-2013 20:32:49 | More by mtbdonn

blknikon

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

04-30-2013 19:27:39 | More by blknikon

troy138

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

04-28-2013 16:44:57 | More by troy138

MikeHRayn

Maine

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-22-2013 21:53:27 | More by MikeHRayn

NandoPereira

Brazil

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%

04-22-2013 16:24:33 | More by NandoPereira

Hairrrrrrrr

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-19-2013 04:16:48 | More by Hairrrrrrrr

Jordantb313

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-18-2013 21:31:15 | More by Jordantb313

zenarkist

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

04-14-2013 23:52:26 | More by zenarkist

mportnoy

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%

04-13-2013 07:51:15 | More by mportnoy

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

3.35/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to gcamparone for this one.

Poured into a 12oz mug from a bottle.

Appearance- Thick mocha brown with a nice bubbly head. Leaves some lacing as it subsides into a thin coat on the top of the brew. Like a Guinness without the crowning head. As it pours, it's not as "thick and viscous" as it states on the bottle, but it sets up dark nonetheless. Good looking.

Smell- Dark roasty bitter espresso notes, bittersweet cacao, finishing with a big tart malty whiff. Much akin to beers of this style from the British isles. Definitely smells like it's from the old country.

Taste- Big bitter coffee draw followed quickly by a faint chocolate note, that delves quickly into a really dry, robust, malty, salty, licorice finish. Finishes quick and a nutty sourness hangs out on the palate. Standard UK porter vibe.

Mouthfeel- Surprisingly lighter than it looks. Smooth all the way, only a hint of fizz at first.

Overall- Forgive me for sounding snobbish if I do but... The lack of flavor compared to American craft varieties of the style is what stands out to me. It bums me out a bit, but I still do enjoy the nostalgic UK import as a reminder of what I was really into before Craft Beer in the US blew up. A blast from the past, but a pleasant one for sure.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:50:36 | More by SaisonRichBiere

kaneel

France

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%

04-09-2013 12:24:37 | More by kaneel

HawkeyeJosh

Arkansas

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%

04-06-2013 02:48:55 | More by HawkeyeJosh

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a willibecher at Firkin.

When you see a cask o' this at your local spot, you pounce, I figger. This stuff pours a deep black-brown topped by a finger of dusty khaki foam. The nose comprises coffee, dark chocolate, and darkly-roasted malts. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a Guinness-like (or acrid coffee-like) sourness swaying from the background to the fore, but never firmly taking hold. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light carbonation (livelier than most casks lately) and a smooth, easy-going feel. Overall, a very nice English porter, something I could easily see being drained from its current prison and down into my gullet.

Serving type: cask

04-04-2013 17:29:48 | More by TMoney2591

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.4%

04-01-2013 13:20:12 | More by TheBeerAlmanac