Molson OV (Old Vienna) - Molson Coors Canada

hero27

Iowa

2.42/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz can.
5% abv

Pours a clear pale yellow. Despite the obviously thin body, the small head of frothy foam surprisingly sits around quite a while.
Very subtle aroma of grain and slight grassy hops if you really search for them.
Flavor is a smattering of toasted malts, a steadfast corn/grain sweetness, and an underlying herbal hop character.
Mouthfeel is thin and carbonation is acceptable for the style.
This was refreshing enough while fishing up in Canada this past weekend, but not something I'd be likely to turn to on a regular basis.

Serving type: can

08-04-2008 22:28:01 | More by hero27

Gehrig

Illinois

2.38/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Standard Canadian macro presentation--fairly thick white head on a light to medium golden body. Little to no lacing on the mug. It doesn't flatten, thankfully, but it's hardly a looker. Corn malt, corn malt, corn malt--that's the smell and taste in a corn malt nutshell. Fairly sweet, typically bland--anything but complex. Smooth when cold, but embarrassingly thin texture. This is fine if your well-intentioned neighbor hands you a cold one over the fence after cutting the grass on a hot day. Even then, I'd be inclined to pass and grab a real, and good, brew from the fridge. Avoid.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2008 05:58:15 | More by Gehrig

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

2.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I attended a training class in relation to my job, and of course beer talk ensues wherever two or more like-minded people get together. The instructor was one, and following the class she wanted me to try these not because she holds it as the pinnacle of beers but because I am up for anything and told her I'd put the review on the internet! Plus it is one of those beers from her past that are part of a person's up-bringing, you know? Anyway, she gave me a whole 12-pack that had been sitting in her basement for a year+. I have my doubts, but the bottles are brown and the box has been closed, so it has been in fairly optimal condition. Let's give 'er a go...

Appearance - I've got two bottles chilled and ready to go into a big A&W root beer float mug. Pours a slightly hazy straw color with a tint of orange. Despite a bouncy pour, very little head forms up and what does melts away pretty fast. There remains a scant cover on top which somehow defies the odds and stays awhile despite minimal beading from below. Some sudsy lacing around the mug handle, that's about it though.

Aroma - while forewarned of a possible skunk in these older bottles, these first two were fine. Sweet and diluted grain, maybe a touch vegetal but a very neutral smell for the most part, at least at these initial cold temperatures.

Taste - I wondered if this was really just another adjunct-laden macro knock-off with a misnomer for a title. As a Vienna lager, it can't really compare to my standard of Viennas, Sam Adams Boston Lager. But it is categorized here as a Marzen/OFest. 'Yeah right' was my initial thought pre-taste. It does, however, have a slight Marzeny taste that is passable. It's just a bare hint of toastiness and/or butteriness, mind you, but it's there. The buttery/diacetyl could even suggest a light ESB style, the beer needs more flavor to have an identity one way or the other. Some huskiness from the grain is there too, in the aftertaste primarily. A late drying and touch of bitterness along with a mild vegetal flavor. The flavors are well below par on volume but what registers ain't bad. A budget OFest? Could eke out another half-point if fresh, probably a reasonably flavorful beer on tap.

Mouthfeel - an element of smoothness, whether that's from a slight diacetyl effect or not I can't tell. It's not enough flavorwise to suspect a defect, so I consider it an asset here. Evenly carbonated and an average body, good levels for the style.

Drinkability - for a beer that's been sitting in a Cleveland basement for a year or more, I'm impressed. Kudos to Molson for brown bottles and light-blocking boxes, eh? I was initially struck that this reminded me in a distant way of a bottle of Avery Samael, a 14.5% monster I had last night. Obviously there is a world of difference, but the grain sweetness has a similarity that just made me think of it. This is like an "OFest Extra Light". I' m happy to have received a half-case of these and hope my return toss of a Young's Double Chocolate 4-pack will be equally enjoyed (you *know* it will...hell yeah!). Here's to beer and the people that enjoy them. Thanks Lori! ;-)

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2007 02:48:33 | More by brewdlyhooked13

cyrenaica

Ontario (Canada)

1.63/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

My goal is to rate all the beer I've tried. That means rating the bad ones along with the good ones. This is one of the bad ones. Where I went to University, this beer had the raunchy nickname of "'Ol Vag___", but I was not informed of that until after trying it.
This is one of the old Carling O'Keefe products (Carling O'Keefe's Ol' Vienna Lager) that was popular in the late 70s and early 80s complete with television commercials. It pours a weak yellow colour with little head. The aroma was very skunky (every time I have tried this). The taste is rather skunky as well, not a friend to the mouth at all. Strong carbonation, and very little discernable maltiness.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2007 23:09:10 | More by cyrenaica

BuffaloBilly

New York

5/5  rDev +100.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the best beer i've ever drank hands down. I like it even better than molson export. It's probably the absolute smoothest beer around. Exceptional taste and mouthfeel. I really could drink this beer forever, its so smooth. Drinkability is awesome. Just a classic beer. This beer is great anytime of the year, especially in the summer it can be quite thirst quenching, its a little malty and somewhat sweet, but it's just got a classic taste thats hard to describe. This beer is pretty popular with the elders, and pretty well known around wny.

Serving type: can

08-09-2006 16:54:43 | More by BuffaloBilly

Frozensoul327

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev +35.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fair offering from Molson. This brew has nothing to do with the Märzen / Oktoberfest style, as it is a more of a classic lager, and the O.V. Stand for "Old Vienna", so perhaps this is an attempt at a Vienna style lager. Anyhow, it pours from the can to a medium yellow color with a two finger head of white foam that dissipates over time. Aromas of sweet corn and malt. Taste is medium bodied and not offensive; mild malt, light corn and grain, a touch of hops, hint of alcohol. Mouthfeel was pretty good, and had some consistancy about itself. Not as weak and watery as most macros. Drinkability is north of average. Worth a try, but mostly consumable as a lawn-mower beer.

THE BLOODHOUND FACTOR: Both muts were mildly interested in this one, but the sweetness seemed to turn them off.

Serving type: can

06-24-2006 20:51:31 | More by Frozensoul327

jayc333

Ontario (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours an pale yellow with about a quarter inch of bubbly white head. The head doesn't disappear right away, but it does come and go a little too fast, leaving behind sub-par lacing.

Smells of sweet malt and citrusy hops, but nothing spectacular.

Had a sort of dank taste to it, and finishes dry. It's quite different, but once again, nothing spectacular.

Mouthfeel was thin on the palate, but far too fizzy.

Like I've mentioned twice before in this review, this beer is what it is, which is nothing specacular. Will not be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2006 03:56:49 | More by jayc333

slitherySOB

Ontario (Canada)

1.73/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

I remember my grandpa drank this. I think this was his first beer. So, I decided to try it. Sort of nostalgic reasons. Anyways...
The beer bottle is prettier than the beer. Pours a clear yellow with no head. None. Their is a very thin ring of white bubbles around the rim of the beer. That's it. No lace. Smells of corn, grain, and grass. Tastes weak, but alright. Bit of bread, corn, and grain husks. Slightly overcarbonated mouthfeel. Thin and watery. Not very drinkable. Not very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2005 21:02:47 | More by slitherySOB

Litterbean

New York

2.68/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Strange beer, sold for a dollar at the local hot-spot. I expected a flavorless beer, but it actually had something to it. There was definite maltiness in this one, something along the lines of a light bock, no kidding. Bready, toasted flavor even though it was masked by a watered down, carbonated, awful watery flavor. There was something to this but not a whole lot. I'm impressed that it had any flavor at all, considering the place that I frequent has basically nothing decent but Yuengling. A cheap and effective beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2005 07:31:32 | More by Litterbean

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

1.78/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Poured from a can, pale clear and yellow, a splash of white head at first, but no retention. The smell is of sweetish corn and grain husks, with a bit of a sharp bite, either from hops or chemicals, it is difficult to tell. Flavour is raw and husky, with an underlying sweet undertow. The mouthfeel is about average, but it has a caustic burn texture to it, from the adjuncts or other unmentionable additives. If you're gonna drink it then drink it ice cold and straight out of the can, it eases the pain a bit. Otherwise skip it completely.

Serving type: can

07-31-2004 20:32:01 | More by IronDjinn

DrJay

Massachusetts

2.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Thin white head that disappeared rather quickly. Clear, pale, straw-yellow. Mild smell with little in the way of hops or malt, but with noticeable corn aroma. Corn sweetness dominated the weak flavour, with a mild sourness at the finish. Very thin body on the edge of being watery. I'm glad I tried this one for free.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2004 19:45:14 | More by DrJay

Fiset35

North Carolina

2.6/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

OV is a more inexpensive cousin of the Molson family - this is good and it is bad. OV is roughly $3-4 cheaper than the Molson Canadian case, and you can tell. But, you get what you pay for, and OV hits the spot.


OV is moderately yellow when you pour it, and it has little head. You get an acidic corn-taste after you swallow. Some will not like it. It isn't bad, but noticable. I'll call it "unique". There are better tasting beers out there, but let me also stress that this beer isn't BAD.

OV is a beer in which you can drink a couple, or several, and enjoy them all the same - they're easy going down.

You get what you pay for, and OV is a good buy for the price. I still wish they made OV splits. You could get a case of 'em for $7!

If you've got the extra $5, then go Canadian. But if you don't, then why not OV?

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2004 01:43:10 | More by Fiset35

CBFanWish

New York

2.63/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not up to par with other Molson products. Pours pale golden yellow with no head. Corn in both the aroma and in the taste. It is smooth going down. I don't know about buying this again. It was not true to the style. I was dissappointed by the whole thing.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2004 20:11:38 | More by CBFanWish

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

2.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

This beer has been misclassified. This is the O'Keefe brand lager known as Old Vienna that molson bought out in the seventies. It still bears the blue lable and OKeefe knight. Molson has kept the OKeefe Old Vienna (O.V.) formula pretty well untouched. OV is a Canadianized version of the sweeter vienna lagers. It is sweeter than most Canandian mega brews.

The last time I had this beer was when my high school buddy used to snich a few of his dad's beers. I never really liked this beer then so I have had no desire to buy it regularly since. I had one recently at a pub down town and I realized it isn't as bad as I remembered.

Pours a darker straw color, small white head that laces out, medium carbonation, smells of cooked grain, fusil sweetness and corn aromas. Starts crisp then sits with a medium light malty body then finishes thinly with a sweet after taste.

Not a really memorable beer but it has been a staple in Canadian beer stores for 50 years so It must have a following among older Canadian beer drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2004 07:55:29 | More by pootz

allboutbierge

Austria

2/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Yuk.

Simply put, O.V. is flat golden straw water that has no discernable similarities to any good interpretation of the Marzen style. Aromas of corn and adjuncts dominate the smell. Most qualities are similiar to a cheap macro pale lager. Its fizzy, yellow, and smells like Busch.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2003 05:19:09 | More by allboutbierge

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev +34.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is slightly better than average for a Canadian beer. All aspects of this brew meet criteria with one exception...Where's the Head??? Appearance is weak due to the fact that it looks like apple juice. Put two fingers of lasting foam on this puppy and you have a contender.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2002 21:32:53 | More by Shiloh

shirfan

New York

2.6/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours pale gold with very little head, and a slightly sweet aroma.

I would not be able to tell the difference between this and Molson Canadian; they both are fairly bland, lightly hopped, sticky lagers that must be well-chilled. Otherwise they have a sandy, swilly taste.

Properly cooled, OV was quenching and marginally drinkable but boring. Lawnmower or "give to your non-ba friends" beer...not up to par with Ex or Canadian Ale in the cheapie case department. Will not be purchasing this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2002 01:07:35 | More by shirfan