The Event Horizon - Olde Hickory Brewery

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a 1-liter growler split 3 ways on 5/13/11. Poured into a snifter, this brew appears black in color with the thinnest line of brownish clarity around the edges. A finger of dark brown head forms and fades to some large bubble formation around the edges of the glass. Patchy lace clings to the glass and a swirl revives a finger of silky dark head back to the surface.

The smell of this brew is strongly reminiscent of cocoa/brownie batter with an inclusion of vanilla and coconut. There is a significant whiskey tang evident blended with a caramel sweetness light like molasses. It is somewhat woody across the back. Well balanced, complex and super enjoyable aroma. As I copy this review 3 days later I'm salivating remembering what this brew was like.

The taste is sweet with a flavor of cocoa batter, molasses and caramel. There is a light woody flavor mixed with mild herbal hops. The finish is dry and roasty with a mild amount of leathery tobacco. Bold, tangy alcohol is evident throughout in flavor and warmth factor. Some fruity hops emerge as the brew warms.

This brew packs a whallop. For less than 9% abv, it has an alcohol flavor that seems significantly more but it drinks smooth and more like something in the 6% range. It is full bodied, modestly carbonated and silky smooth in the feel that coats the mouth. Very solid brew here, excellent. I shared this growler with 2 other people and I could have easily drank the entire thing myself. It is very easy drinking.

Serving type: growler

05-16-2011 13:31:01 | More by stakem

wino47

North Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

32oz growler. First taste of this much hyped beer and i wasn't let down a bit. For not having huge alcohol content, the mouthfeel on this one was excellent, it had great texture but didn't come off heavy handed one bit. I initially thought I would only be able to have a glass of this beast but it was so smooth I could have drank it all day. Nice cocoa flavors with a hint of coconut and bourbon on the finish. Not boozy at all and everything in its place, this one lived up to the hype for me.

Serving type: growler

05-06-2011 22:57:14 | More by wino47

comfortablynumb1

California

4.38/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Commis for the hookup on this one...

Poured from a flip top into a Cigar City pint glass...

A - Poures pitch black with a one finger brown head on a fairly agresive pour. Decent amount of head retention, and while the lacing is not the best; there is still some to be had here...

S - Chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, and the aromatic smell of Bourbon...

T - Chocolate, dark roasted malts, vanilla, and plums. Ends on smooth Bourbon note that is not over the top, but is enough to make an appereance and let you know that it is present. The flavors in this one are really balanced, and the abv is well hidden. Delicious...

M - A chewy viscous brew, that is at the time smooth and easy to drink, with a moderate amount of carbonation. Amazing...

D - This one is amazing, Had a hard time reviewing it before finishing the pint. Definitely looking to score more of these. Olde Hickory brewed a top notch beer here...

Cheers...

Serving type: growler

02-05-2011 02:42:15 | More by comfortablynumb1

metter98

New York

4.4/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a thin dark tan head that quickly died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of vanilla and oak are present in the nose along with hints of bourbon.
T: He taste is similar to the smell and is dominated by flavors of vanilla and oak; notes of chocolate and dark malts are also noticeable. No roasted or bitter favor are present - there are some hints of sweetness.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a little smooth on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There is some warming from the alcohol.
O: This beer is really easy to drink compared to other bourbon barrel aged stouts because it doesn't feel too heavy and no alcohol is noticeable. Everything seems very well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:40:29 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.46/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2012 Edition

A: Pours an opaque yet clear jet black in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation and some very light hints of dark cola brown highlights. The beer has a quarter finger tall dense foamy dark mocha head that quickly reduces to a very thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of bourbon, vanilla, and oak with some lighter amounts of dark fruits, anise, and honey sweetness. Moderate aromas of dark chocolate that sticks with you.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of roasted malts with some significant amounts of bourbon flavors. There are lighter notes of the vanilla and oak from the bourbon barrel aging. After that, there are moderate to strong flavors of dark chocolate, dark fruits (plum), and anise. Very light notes of honey contributing some initial sweetness. Minimal amounts of lingering bitterness,

M: Full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Very light amounts of alcohol warming.

O: Overall this is a great beer - the bourbon barrel aging really enhances the overall flavors and aromas of this beer. There is a nice balance and the bourbon barrel aging adds to it but does not contribute much alcohol heat or alcohol presence in the nose/taste. Definitely glad I was able to grab one of these on my NC visit at Thanksgiving.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:39:27 | More by dbrauneis

Powderhornphil

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2012 vintage

Nothing unexpected that this beer pours black. Jet Black. It is of note the richness of the caramel colored head about 2 fingers deeps. Nice.

Not a bourbon bomb, the nose has hints of bourbon, deep cacao, some barrel and vanilla.

The taste starts with a sweet bourbon and continues to cacao. Lots of bittersweet roast. It tastes like a 90 percent cacao chocolate bar with the healthy does of bitterness. But there's a honey, malty sweetness to balance it and it finishes like the dryness of just swallowing a chocolate covered expresso bean.

Medium mouthfeel. not too heavy.

Certainly worth it to try this beer at least once.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 23:01:13 | More by Powderhornphil

homebrew311

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance is pitch black with minimal head. Nose features heavy dark chocolate with cacao, molasses, vanilla and a touch of honey. Taste is rich and full of deep chocolate with minimal bourbon character. Mf is thick and lightly carbonated. Overall

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 21:55:20 | More by homebrew311

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at his tasting.

2011 vintage.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, char, and wood aromas. Taste is much the same with cocoa and bourbon flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer that tastes much better than it smells in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 01:19:30 | More by UCLABrewN84

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.46/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage. Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Pipeworks snifter.

A- pours pitch black with a 1 finger cola head. Sporadic bubbles and blotches of lacing remain on the glass.

S- very nice blend of chocolate, bourbon and vanilla.

T- chocolate, caramel, honey, vanilla, and bourbon.

M- medium body and carbonation. Actually drinks bigger than a 8.5% beer, in a good way.

O- very nice BA RIS! Surprised that it was only a 8.5% beer. Nice meld of chocolate, bourbon and vanilla.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 03:16:12 | More by kawilliams81

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on cask at Churchkey as part of the Craft Brewing Conference 2013. I had both a full snifter and another taster of this stuff.

A: Poured as black as night and with an oil-like consistency. That coupled with the fact that the head was only a couple of shades lighter than the liquid below it let me know right off the bat that I was in for a ride.

S: Nah, wouldn't say this was a bourbon bomb at all. It deserves more credit than that. The bourbon combined with the overall hop/malt profile produced something that was oaky, nutty, and even a bit fruity (dark fruit - dates and/or figs). Take high grade hot cocoa, throw in some dates and vanilla, then age that on oak chips and then take a whiff... You've got yourself some Event Horizon!

T: Cocoa laced buttercream frosting with oak. Simply sublime! Also, the finish on this was as smooth as silk and sort of reminded me of the first time I ever had a dark chocolate Dagoba milkshake at the Hershey's Chocolate World.

M: Ridiculous sticky lacing on this bad boy, not much bitterness, no booze detected, yet at the same time, the sugar was really dialed down to a very gulpable level. Remarkable!

O: Pure bliss in a glass. No need for dessert if you have this one around. Actually, come to think of it, there's no need for breakfast or lunch either.

Serving type: cask

03-29-2013 11:24:28 | More by Chaney

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask at Churchkey, served in a snifter.

A- Pours black with a thick layer of creamy, mocha head, has great retention and some spotty lacing.

S- Goddamn this smells delicious. Has a great aroma of creamy milk chocolate, caramel, bourbon, vanilla, some barrel, and an awesome honey aroma. The chocolate, bourbon, vanilla and honey are all amazing and create a sweet, but not at all cloying, aroma. This is really fantastic.

T- Nice chocolate and honey sweetness, accents of vanilla, caramel and bourbon. There's a bit of roastiness, but it's mostly this great, smooth sweetness.

M- Full-bodied, has moderate to low carbonation with a soft, smooth feel and a tiny bit of alcohol warmth.

O- I love this beer. The flavors are blended very nicely and are all delicious. It also has a huge amount of flavor for 8.5%, it's complex and tasty enough to sip at but I could happily have finished off a bomber of this on my own. I need more of this beer.

Serving type: cask

03-28-2013 05:11:11 | More by WillCarrera

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.68/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

On tap at churchkey as part of CBC.

Pours a super jet black with a nice tan head and pretty substantial lacing, looks very oily and delicious.

The smell is amazing and has tons of beautiful bourbon, vanilla, molasses, touch of sweet latte, honey, oak wood, and some fudge. Rides that line of imperial stout in bourbon and barrel aged strong ale, but it's delicious. Taste follows the smell to a T, with some extra decadent choco cake notes and more roast. Also some great honey soaked barley and amazing explosions of flavor from the spirit.

The feel is a little thinner than expected, but still great. I almost expect to have more alcohol hit me with something with this much flavor.

Overall this beer is great and so drinkable for something this flavorful!

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2013 20:27:46 | More by Dreadnaught33

joefuzz

New York

4.49/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottle

Dark brown pour with small almond head. Smells wonderfully of bourbon and chocolate, barrel aging is very apparent. Taste starts with vanilla, brown sugar and oak and ends with some slight alcohol heat. Carbonation is lower side with a slightly light mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 02:15:20 | More by joefuzz

smakawhat

Maryland

4.29/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a small snifter at Smoke & Barrel DC for the bottle share.

A very dark walnut black body, very dark brew, with a nice mocha brown colored dark head. Very nice looking brew.

Nose brings some sticky molasses with a lighter sense. Good balanced mix of caramel senses and light charring roast. Good oak "round"-ness, everything feels subtle and together, but noticeable.

Palate brings much of what is expected on the nose, with some surprises. Very mild roast character with a large oak depth and feel. Very light palate but still manages to fill the mouth with flavors of light bodied dark chocolate. Light warmth and in control, mid palate seems to have most of the flavor with not much of a finish, but balances with perfect roast and chocolate.

There is a huge dark chocolate milkshake quality to this brew, which really does blur the lines a bit between beer, but it makes it super easy to drink. It may not be an ultimate favorite of mine, but it's easily one of the most memorable beers I've had in this style. I would have this again, but strangely it's un-beer like character is a bit of a turn off, and that's by far a minor fault if there is any with this brew to begin with.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 18:28:57 | More by smakawhat

Beerontwowheels

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle courtesy of kbuzz. Many thanks for knocking off this want!

Poured to a snifter with about a fingers worth of creamy dark tan head. Leaves a light film that intrigues. The smell is amazing. Rich, dark, brownie batter chocolate mixes eloquently with smooth bourbon. Damn.

The taste is more chocolate, coffee, vanillins and bourbon. Really well incorporated. There something a little different about this one and I think it's the honey that I'm picking up.

The mouthfeel carries a nice heft. This is a pretty thick one, but not overwhelming. Can be creamy at times.

Overall, I could drink a bottle or three of this a year. Definitely something I'll be looking for in the years ahead.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 17:54:12 | More by Beerontwowheels

mdaschaf

Washington

4.38/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2010 Vintage

A: Pours a deep black with a tan/brown head on top, about a finger upon pouring, which reduces to a thin cap on top. Thin lacing.

S: Some dark fruits, cherrys, plum, and raisins mixed with chocolate, bourbon, a bit of oak and vanilla.

T: Similar to the aroma and fantastic. Lots of chocolate and bourbon flavors up front, a bit of brown sugar and molasses. More dark fruit in the middle mixed with a touch of honey.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Glad I was finally able to try this beer, definitely a highlight from the tasting.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:03:54 | More by mdaschaf

jeonseh

Indiana

3.96/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Shared by leftyhyzer at NWI tasting group super bowl drinking

A - Dark chocolate color with thick body that coats the glass. Light brown on the edges with small amounts of carbonation and not head

S - Bourbon on the nose with light caramel and vanilla. Dark, roasted chocolate and slight honey

T - Sweet bourbon vanilla up front with light caramel. Light honey, roasted malt, and slight smokiness. Finish is slight roasted coffee that lingers on

MF - Light body with light bitter coffee that lingers on in the finish to create a slight astringency

O - Solid fudgy beer with chocolate and honey sweetness. The honey adds a nice sweetness to the beer overall that is unique in a stout

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 04:15:04 | More by jeonseh

harrymel

Washington

4.18/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Vintage 2012

Black with a quilt of mocha foam. Smell was evident as soon as I cracked the bottle. I don't know what barrels they used here, but I only have smelled this nose in PVW 20+ yr barrel aged beers. Minerals, nougat, vanilla, booze, cocoa, marzipan and honey in here. Really complex nose. Flavor is robust with sweet malts, some caramel, some fudge and some molasses. Again the honey is evident - which surprises me. Mineral character still there also. Full bodied with low carb and an off-dry finish. Nice beer, really the nose does it, the flavor doesn't do the olfactory justice.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 08:09:15 | More by harrymel

Treebs

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle served in a CCB Snifter. 2012 vintage.

A: Pours a dark black color with some semi-transparent edges. A tan head forms on the pour and recedes quickly to a thin ring. Some splotchy lace is left behind.

S: Light bourbon up front with a malty sweetness. Caramel and milk chocolate are both present with a minimal heat to it. Strange for 8.5%. Some oak on the finish as well.

T: More sweet than the nose suggests. The milk chocolate and caramel notes coupled with some light vanilla definitely leads to the sweeter side of the spectrum. Some roasted malts in the body with a prominent bourbon characteristic displayed on the finish that is coupled with some oak barrel.

M: Medium to heavy bodied with a medium carbonation level. Sweet on the finish.

O: I like the bourbon characteristics were present, but not overly alcoholic in nature. Probably due to the low ABV. I'm glad the heat in the nose didn't transfer to the taste. Overall a very solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 17:31:47 | More by Treebs

cardsfan

North Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Wow, what more can I say. I just picked one of these up really because their was a limit on how many you could get. Ended up being my favorite beer. At 8.5%, it is super smooth and extremely easy to drink. While I love the BCBS, the 15% can sometimes be overwhemling whereas Event Horizon's % is perfect. Small and great colored head, fantastic vanillia and bourbon smell and the taste is exactly what you want in a bourbon barreled stout. By far my favorite beer and would love to get some more!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 14:15:14 | More by cardsfan

mfavoino

Washington

4.6/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottle as shared as part of a big bottle share on 2/9/13.

A: Pours an opaque black with just a rim of bubbly brown head.

S: Lots of chocolate, burnt roasted malt, sweet vanilla.

T: Tons of sweet milk chocolate, slight vanilla flavor, oak, big roasted malt backbone. Some dark fruit adds to the already sweet flavor, but all in all it is very well balanced. Super flavorful.

M: Medium to full bodied, very smooth, booze hotness is minimal.

O: This blew me away. One of the best I've had for this style and at the lower end of the spectrum for ABV. Seeking this one out.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 02:59:53 | More by mfavoino

humuloner22

4.84/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I had this one fresh and aged from the 2011 edition. This review reflects the aged edition of this one. It was poured into my favorite imperial pint glass and allowed to open up to the air for several minutes. The color was dark and murky just like a good stout should be. It had a slight red hue but overall a pretty good indication of what was ahead. The smell was so nice a slight sweetness but also had a richness to it. Also you could smell the bourbon in the beer which I love. I don't know how accurate the information I received was but I hear it was aged in used Pappy Van Winkle barrels, which is the big chief in bourbon these days. That information alone shows that these guys know there stuff when aging beer. The taste was thick and inviting with a sweetness but not cloying. You could definitely taste some dark plum, dried fruit, but also coffee, toffee and the honey playing a subtle role in all of it. The biggest and most impressive characteristic was the bourbon. You could definitely taste the bourbon and oh it was so grand, although this does have a good bit of alcohol it is balanced well with the more prevalent flavors incorporated in this very complex stout. I would rate this beer as one of the best ones I have ever had in its category and look forward to trying some of the 2012 editions as I have a few bottles being cellared as this is written. If you can get your hands on this beer, whatever edition you will not be dissatisfied.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 16:29:57 | More by humuloner22

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.69/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Poured a hostile black color, nice and thick. It left a moderate rocky brown head which left bubbles, ring on the edge of the glass and some spotty lacing

S: Big dark and milk chocolate with some vanilla, oak, dark fruits and a nice little booze burn on the nostrils

T: Boom! Big bitter and roast, dark chcolate with some milk chocolate buried under the succulent layers of bitter, dark cocoa. A little bit of dark fruits, twinge of fusel alcohol and bourbon come to play. Vanilla, almonds and coconut are backseat. Some tobacco and wood duck in and out. The finish is looong and nice. Dry, sweet and decadent.

M: Big, full robust body lending a surprising tasteful staying power on the palate. That big bitter, dark chocolate and black malt really enhance this.

O: Amazingly good. The honey seemed to be buried under layers of flavor but i am not a big fan of honey so....worth the hype and wish I had more.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 15:57:12 | More by barleywinefiend

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.33/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I purchased a bottle of this at Brawleys on my last visit home over the Christmas holidays. Was hoping to share this one but unfortunately, I am alone in this one. Pretty stoked to try this one. Had this on draft the first year it came out and remember it being pretty damn tasty.

Pours from the black waxed, American flag capped 22oz bottle into my favorite Impy Stout vessel, my La Fin Du Monde tulip glass. Emerges dark as a black hole and is topped with a somewhat wispy and rather lackluster, cuban espresso colored head. There is a somewhat foamy ring that forms around the upper edges of the beer, but all in all, slightly disappointing.

Aroma is grande! Filled with bourbon and chocolate and tobacco, dark fruits, vanilla, charred wood. There seems to be a distinct sweetness to the aroma as well, but maybe that is just the bourbon peeking through.

The bourbon really hits you upside the head in the flavor here. More vanilla, raisins, plums, dark chocolate, coffee, toffee, licorice. Quite complex and rather delicious. It has been a while since I have had a bourbon beer, and now I realize that I miss having these.

My only real complaint is the mouthfeel. It isn't quite as thick and chewy as I would like, which makes the finish kind of short and bereft of any real substance. Bumping the chewiness up half a notch would really set this one apart. A really nice beer. Maybe a touch too sweet yet strangely thin on the tongue. Doubt I would get this one again given the price tag, but definitely worth a one time purchase. There are so many other barrel aged beers out there that are probably just as good for the same price or cheaper.

Edit: After this beer warms, it becomes much creamier and chewier. I am really enjoying this one as it warms up. My scores represent the edited, warmed up version.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:14:05 | More by SaCkErZ9

sommersb

Tennessee

4.79/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Tasted On: 01-27-2013
Freshness: 2012 Vintage
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap with wax seal
Glassware: Wellington
Purchased: Single from Duckworth's, Charlotte

Picked this up at the 2012 Event Horizon release party in Charlotte at Duckworth's

Appearance is a jet-black beer, opaque, topped by a nice tan head that dissipates fairly quickly (not unexpected for a beer this big). Lacing on the glass is good.

Smells are big and bold, of sweet milk chocolate, dark roasted malts, strong bourbon, vanilla, and oak wood. Just a wonderful aroma...

Taste is intense, starting with a big hit of booze, then leading into the rich, dark malt grain bill, plus chocolate/cocoa nibs and vanilla. Perceived bitterness is very low.

Mouthfeel is smooth and luscious. Full-bodied with low carbonation. Finishes rich, with dark and sweet chocolate plus a hit of the whiskey.

Overall, this is a world-class beer in my book that hits on all cylinders. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 03:31:59 | More by sommersb