Dominion Oak Barrel Stout - Old Dominion Brewing Company

Jarod

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer came to me in traditional pint glass, on the warm side; color was pitch black in the center and became more brown/black towards the edges and cocoa brown on the very edge, no light passed through. There was light to barley any carbonation noticeable. The head that was formed was creamy, thick and sticky but fell fairly fast to a light skim and a ring on the edges, the color was a medium cocoa powder brown, with some highlights and dark points across the surface. There was some sticky lace throughout the glass, more prominent in the beginning then towards the end. Typical stout characteristics. The aromas that came from the glass were of caramels, vanilla bean, some cocoa powder oak wood, toffee, some dark malts, a light coffee at times, and bourbon notes throughout, vanilla and bourbon seemed to become alittle more pronounced as it warmed and near the last sip. The tastes were more complex then the aromas. Tastes of roasted malts, and oak were the first flavors that hit my buds along with a slight bitter coffee, then some sweet malts, vanilla bean, caramel, toffee, chocolates, more oak wood, and warming notes of bourbon dominated the rest of the taste, and ended more with a pronounced bourbon flavor and the other flavors seemed step to the rear, especially as it warmed. Aftertaste was on the roasted malt, alcohol side but not real lasting. Body was on the full side especially as it warmed. Decently complex seemed to became more complex as it sat. A good beer and nice and warming. One of the better beers that is being done with oak barrels, barrel aging, etc. I have this beer in 12oz. bottle and look forward to comparing it with the nitro version.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-07-2004 10:57:59 | More by Jarod

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-20-2013 17:45:15 | More by touchmeimsac

SpAiReArGsEonNE

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-20-2013 02:25:02 | More by SpAiReArGsEonNE

KSfrost

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-19-2013 21:47:35 | More by KSfrost

jakeox

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-18-2013 23:42:13 | More by jakeox

fearfactory

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-18-2013 22:40:55 | More by fearfactory

mattsucks

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-18-2013 14:22:44 | More by mattsucks

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-15-2013 16:52:23 | More by twenty5

The_Revisionist

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-13-2013 09:49:55 | More by The_Revisionist

atone315

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-12-2013 00:10:45 | More by atone315

mportnoy

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-11-2013 20:29:18 | More by mportnoy

pandow

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-11-2013 02:32:23 | More by pandow

Bill235

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-09-2013 19:43:05 | More by Bill235

AnotherImperial

Arizona

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-08-2013 22:03:03 | More by AnotherImperial

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.79/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip glass, colour is a rich dark brown/black. Initially a nice frothy tan head, recedes leaving some minor whispy lacing. 3.5

S- lots of sweet smoky vanilla notes. Roasty caramel maltiness, floral vanilla notes, milk chocolate with sweet caramel undertones. Some oaky smokiness in the back. No detectable bitterness, very sweet and vanilla forward. 4.24

T- very sweet, chocolate, dry silky vanilla pod, dry maltiness. Some zesty citrus, with cherry and lemon, lots of vanilla and some chocolate. Decent complexity and full flavour with some interesting background flavours. Finishes dry and full, chocolate malt and dry oak. 3.75

M- slight carbonation, rather light, with a malty profile. More of a session stout. Some slight bitterness on the tongue and finish, overly vanilla feel. 3.75.

So my take on this is that the vanilla and sweetness has somewhat run away with the show. It is a pretty tasty vanilla stout, but that seems to dominate and obscure further complexity. Some interesting stuff going on behind that, but I feel the potential is left somewhat unfulfilled, an interesting experience nonetheless. 3.5

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 20:08:01 | More by mick303

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-05-2013 05:40:12 | More by alex_hart

MLKincer

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

05-05-2013 01:57:46 | More by MLKincer

csurowiec

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

04-29-2013 20:13:48 | More by csurowiec

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

04-29-2013 03:53:23 | More by TonyTalon

rmorris17

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

04-25-2013 00:23:53 | More by rmorris17

amstokesdb9

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.3%

04-22-2013 03:22:33 | More by amstokesdb9

Lukass

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

04-22-2013 02:27:24 | More by Lukass

Keyportnick

Wisconsin

3.24/5  rDev -18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this as an eztra

12oz bottle poured into a firestone walker teku glass.

A- pours a tobacco brown and rests a rich black. Pours with a frothy just off white head that sticks around and fades into some lively lacing.

S-Nothing much going on with the nose. A faint touch of vanilla bean and a hair of cold coffee. Like I said pretty dull. Nothing jumps out at you

T- light roasted chocolate malts, rich vanilla.

M- light body, strong carbonation, light finish

O- Decent beer. I felt like it was missing a lot. It claims to be oak barrel aged and then they say they use oak chips. I couldn't find either of those in this beer. The vanilla stands out nicely though. Crisp clean lighter styled stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 03:53:47 | More by Keyportnick

letsdrink

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very excited to give this one a shot. In my eyes, pretty much any stout is worth a shot and this particular beer piqued my interest.

A - Pours a deep brown, almost black color with a decent head, slight lacing.

S - Oak aroma with a touch of sweetness.

T - Oak follows through initially with vanilla to follow, slightly sweet but certainly not overwhelming. Less bitterness than I had expected on the back end.

M - Here is where I believe things head south. For a stout, this beer is certainly on the lighter end. I was hoping for something a little bit bolder and heavier, but was somewhat disappointed. There is average carbonation, which doesn't help or hinder the overall experience in my opinion.

O - Overall I think this beer looks better than it tastes which not optimal in my opinion when being forced to choose one over the other. The aroma helps the overall experience but doesn't follow through to the mouth. I would say it's worth a shot, but I don't think I would go back for a second one with so many great options available.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 22:42:26 | More by letsdrink

koopa

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.3%

04-14-2013 00:52:30 | More by koopa