Old Engine Oil - Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.

far333

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Wow...this is great. Dark brown, nearly black with a light brown head. The head is small and drops quickly, but leaves a thin layer of frothy bubbles floating on top of the beer. The smell is faint, but hints of coffee and chocolate are definitely there. The flavor is big. It hits your tongue quick and hard, and it's great. It's full of hop bitterness, coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt. The hops linger in the mouth. Carbonation is a bit heavy, but the mouthfeel is still smooth. The feel and flavor are well-balanced. Need to get more of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2003 19:44:37 | More by far333

2GOOFY

California

4/5  rDev -3.4%

05-24-2013 04:16:07 | More by 2GOOFY

kvnstfrd

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%

05-23-2013 13:25:04 | More by kvnstfrd

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