Lindley Park - Olde Hickory Brewery

koopa

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz waxed bomber received in a trade with spaten454 thanks!

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown to black with a beautiful 2.5 finger mocha brown crown that displays good retention and some lace.

Smell: A mixture of the faintest amount of roast malt and a pale chocolate covered raspberry note that can't be denied. The raspberry note has both a lightly sweet quality and a tart raspberry skin quality. That combination is further rounded out by a supporting vanilla bourbon note.

Taste: Same as the nose but a touch acrid. I'd give it a 4.25 if I could so I'm rounding up a bit.

Mouthfeel: Thick side of medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall: A solid effort producing a fairly delicious pale chocolate covered raspberry flavor that is supported nicely by a vanilla bourbon quality and only detracted slightly by an acrid roast malt quality.

Overall:

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 20:04:28 | More by koopa

Bung

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tap at Duckworths. Wow is that a dark brown head, though it did not last terribly long. Pretty thick black below that.

Aroma, noticeable fruit, raspberry, blackberry. Roast malt and dark chocolate. Not really all that potent, though the 8.5oz glassware here is lacking.

Taste, pretty interesting. Starts with the slightly tart/sweet of the dark red fruit. Melds nicely into the roast malt and chocolates. A little vanilla and just the faintest anise. The cocoa really lingers.

A decently heavy body, good level of carbonation, no alcohol presence. I also get zero barrel presence.

A tough one for me. Have not cared for any of the fruit imperial stouts. This one did was better than some, but I am glad I didn't have to go through the bull to get a bottle. Glad I did not fork out for the bottle. At the same time I would definetely recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2012 23:13:10 | More by Bung

Florida9

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Viscous glossy black in color. Forms a fizzy dark mocha colored head that manages to fizz away quite quickly. No lacing.

S: Dark malts, dark fruit, raspberries, chocolate, and a touch of smoke.

T: Chocolate and lots of it. Light sweetness. Raspberries, vanilla, and some dark fruit with just a faint hint of char on the back end. Heavily roasted malts and raspberry on the finish.

M: Thick, viscous, and heavy. Lower carbonation. Dry, chalky char mouthfeel.

O: A surprisingly good beer. Very raspberry forward, but done in a way that is quite restrained leaving a beer that is not at all overly sweet or cloying.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 13:41:52 | More by Florida9

ButtonBeer

South Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

While in Asheville, NC I picked this up at Bruisin' Ales under recommendation by the guy running the place that day. Per Blanche DeBois, I have always "relied on the kindness of strangers" in regard to beer recommendations. This was excellent. You won't regret it.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 23:52:38 | More by ButtonBeer

ehammond1

California

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for opening this with me, VaTechHopHead!

Black, moderately thick, body with a thin crown of dark brown bubbly. Leaves dots of stick down the glass.

An incredibly successful aroma; I have to believe this is exactly what the brewers were aiming for. The base beer shines through, with good amounts of roast, chocolate, and sweetness, though the raspberry character is both in-your-face but complementary. Quite exceptional.

The flavor is nearly as successful, with the raspberry even more present than in the aroma, complemented nicely by the more typical stout elements: roast, sweet chocolate, and candy bar.

Medium to full bodied with low carbonation. Very drinkable.

This reminds me a lot of Bramble, and may just in fact be better. Really an exceptional fruited stout.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 20:30:42 | More by ehammond1

CManuel

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle picked up from Tasty Beverage in Raleigh NC.

A-Very smooth and thick looking stout. Jet black. Head is minimal and fades fast. Call me crazy but you can almost see a red tint in the beer from the raspberries.

S-Hits you in the face dark fruit notes, especially berries. Chocolate is there throughout, but more subtle. I can smell a little bit of the bourbon/vanilla from the barrels, but it's hard to pick out for me.

T-WOW. The flavors that are present really come together in a harmonious manner. Mostly fruit and chocolate throughout, but the honey and bourbon flavors really come in as well. It all blends together so perfectly. It's a strong beer, but there's not much alcohol heat present. This is one amazing tasting beer, EASILY the best I've had from Olde Hickory (have not tried event horizon yet).

M-As I was pouring it, i thought it was going to be one thick beer. But its really smooth and easy, I'd almost venture to say that mouthfeel is one of the better aspects of this beer.

O-Hands down one of my favorite Dark beers. I'm not usually a fan of fruit infused stouts, but this one really took me by surprise. If you can find this, GET IT!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 01:28:22 | More by CManuel

benjaminahudson

North Carolina

4.73/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Jet black with decent lacing and a brownish head

S - Definitely taste the fruit notes, and hints of chocolate throughout. Nothing overpowering, but noticeable.

T - The taste of the raspberries and chocolate are noticeable.

O - One of my favorite Old Hickory offerings. I would still probably give the edge to The Event Horizon, but both are outstanding beers and deserving of the continued recognition they will no doubt receive in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 15:22:54 | More by benjaminahudson

Spaten454

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz 2012 Ive been waiting along time to get to try this brew.

A- Pours black and thick with a tan head that dissipates across the top quickly.

S- Dark chocolate is most prominent. boozy bourbon and raspberry backing. Honey is strongest when you swirl the glass.

T- The same as the smell. Loads of chocolate mixed with smooth bourbon with the raspberries playing a their roll in the background. Finishes a dark, bitter chocolate.

D- Smooth, rich with mild carbonation

O- This is a good, balanced stout that I cant wait to try after it gets some age on it.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 02:34:09 | More by Spaten454

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Msquared2, I thank you for this beer. What a perfect way to end the week.
2011 bottle, poured into a Deschutes tulip.

Apearance. Pours thick and black with half a finger of tan head.

Smell. Oh man, this is going to be nice. Massive amounts of bittersweet chocolate, a little raspberry and cherry, a small hint of booze ...and some more dark chocolate.

Taste. Wow, the raspberry caught me by surprise after smelling just a little. Real raspberries, that nice dark chocolate that I was smelling and just a bit of roasty malts. Very little bitterness, except for the dark chocolate flavours, a little sweet in the right proportion with the flavours, and just a little bit of tang from the berries. Awesome stuff.

Mouthfeel. Full body, medium-low carbonation, not at all taxing.

Overall. I was expecting good, but this one is awesome. It's going to go down way too quick.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:32:42 | More by Rutager

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle, 2011 vintage
Hill Farmstead wine glass

A: Pours almost completely black, but there are some reddish hues towards. Ring of tan around the edges but that is about it. Some lacing bits after you swirl.

S: Dark bakers chocolate. Some roasty notes. Then you do get the fruit. Definitely pulling that raspberry sweetness still after a year.

T: Tart raspberry on the tip of the tongue, coupled with that chocolate bitterness. Deep dark chocolate. It's actually really delicious, even though the people I was sharing with didn't enjoy as much. Flavors really grow on you after a while. Like others have described, raspberry truffle character. Don't get much of the barreling, aside from some vanilla notes that mesh with the roast and fruit. Only knock on this one. Finish is long and the flavors stick with you.

M: Big medium leading to large. Thought it was going to be a little larger.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 14:18:11 | More by inlimbo77

jtd1969

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark black with little lacing or carbonation. Reddish Brown head

S - Dark fruit, sweet chocolate

T - Deep dark chocolate that is sweet with raspberries. Tastes like a dark chocolate raspberry truffle.

D - Full Bodied with low carbonation

O - Excellent stout. Quite unique I recommend this delicious beer!

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 01:33:20 | More by jtd1969

brystmar

New York

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Loved the last bottle I opened in Feb, hope it held up!

Black body, tan head, great retention on the lace. Strong raspberry aroma shines through the stouty base. A kids of honey sweetness makes its way in as well. Mmmmm...

Taste is about what you'd expect as raspberries sit atop the stout base. Can't really taste the honey. Boozy warmth soothes my throat at the end; roasty base tides me over until then. Fruits don't overwhelm, adding just enough complexity to remind you they are still here. Deserves a 4.25/5 on taste, rounding up.

I really like this beer; need another bottle!

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 00:14:58 | More by brystmar

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 9.3.12.

A - Pours a very dark, motor oil brown with a small dark brown head that slowly moves to the edges.

S - Roasted malts, sweetness, some soy sauce, and fruit.

T - A typical roasty, boozy stout then a sweet raspberry treat hits you straight on.

D - Mild to medium carbonation with a heavier body.

O - A good stout, but the raspberry and honey bravel show up here. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 05:38:40 | More by HuskyinPDX

billab914

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes to Eric for sharing this one next to my Event Horizon. 2011 vintage poured from a 220z bottle. Pitch black in color with a thin tan head scattered across top.

The aroma shows some bourbon, brown sugar, dark chocolate and a little bit of raspberry sweetness. It comes together very well, the raspberries are very appealing in it and they blend with the chocolate flavors very well. The bourbon is well done as well and not overpowering all the other additions in it.

The raspberries also blend in and compliment very well in the taste. There is a little bourbon there, but again it's not overdone. It's got a little more chocolate to it up front, where the finish shows a little more of a roasted bitterness. The chocolate, bourbon and raspberries are a really great combination.

The mouthfeel is heavier with low carbonation, which works well for the style. Overall it was a great beer. The fresh raspberry flavors complimented the base beer very well. From the examples I've had, I don't usually think adding fruit to an imperial stout works all that well. This one however changed my mind, it was just as good if not better than the Event Horizon.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 15:05:50 | More by billab914

claspada

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a fudgey brown color with garnet highlights; not much of a khaki colored head, but the lacing is substantial.

Aromas of rich, dark chocolate and fresh raspberry purée. As it warms you get hints of honey and Bourbon.

The tastes begin with dark chocolate and honey upront, but it doesn't take long for the tart berry flavors to assert themselves. As it warms the tart black raspberry and sweet red raspberry elements assert themselves more and more, though the chocolate, Bourbon and honey lingers underneath, throughout.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with low to moderate carbonation. Finish is semi-sweet and mildly drying as well from the barrel presence.

Overall this was very enjoyable overall and what I wish GI Bramble Rye would have tasted like. The Bramble fruit flavors were a bit more artificial. Though I would prefer a slightly fuller mouthfeel, I am really impressed by this beer and am really enjoying the tart raspberry edge, the chocolate and the subtle Bourbon elements as they all mix very well in a harmonious fashion.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 14:03:31 | More by claspada

jegross2

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewing Lindley Park from Olde Hickory Brewery out of North Carolina. This beer is a twist on their most famous brew, the Event Horizon.
Score: 92

From the 267 day of 2011. Enjoyed 06/16/12, served in a St. Bernardus Watou stemmed snifter and shared with my father for father's day.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color with a finger of creamy mocha head that settles to a ring around the glass. Good lacing and retention. 4/5

Smell: Huge doses of sweet honey, bourbon-y molasses, raisin, and raspberries. Sweet milk chocolate too. The most prominent aroma, by a mile, is the honey when you swirl the brew. There's some complementary vanilla and oak in the mix too. 4.5/5

Taste: More raspberry upfront and throughout on the palate than the nose led on. In the aroma, the raspberry was more an incorporated element, but it's dominant on the palate. Behind the raspberry is sweet raisin, brown sugar and vanilla. Dark chocolate flavor behind that. Just a little bit of oaky flavor and residual black coffee towards the finish. Very sweet, but the alcohol is well-hidden. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Just shy of full bodied, light carbonation. Syrupy mouthfeel. Pretty sweet finish. 4/5

Overall: About on par with Bramble, though the flavors are better incorporated here. This is a very sweet imperial stout, and I have a strong feeling that those who did not like Dark Lord or Bramble Bourbon County Stout will not like this too much either.

Recommendation: Worth seeking out a glass, but I couldn't finish a whole bomber of this to myself if I tried.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $18 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 22:45:25 | More by jegross2

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Have had this one a couple times now, and noticed I never gave it a proper review. 22oz bottle, split with my wife, poured my allotment into a snifter. Pours a deep, thick black. Small mocha head on top. Light lace left behind. Scents of bourbon, vanilla, oak, chocolate. The mouth is creamy and smooth with subtle carbonation on the palate. Bourbon starts this one off. Chocolate rounds it out, and there’s a slight tangy fruit finish from the raspberries. Mild wood character noted as well. This was a treat the first time I had it, and it’s still good after a half year in the cellar. Looking forward to seeing what a little more time will do to this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 18:18:22 | More by Onenote81

zeledonia

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed 11 May 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours very deep brown and opaque, with 1 finger of medium tan head.

The raspberries blend with the stout in a way that really evokes molasses. Smell and taste are both heavy on the raspberries, but heavier on a molasses-like dark sugary sweetness. Kinda like eating raspberry gingerbread without the ginger.

Feel is heavy and thick - quite chewy. Enough carbonation.

A good, interesting stout. I don't know where that sugary molasses character came from, but it works fairly well.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 06:21:38 | More by zeledonia

largadeer

California

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pitch black body capped by two fingers of dense froth. The nose is excellent, comprised almost entirely of rich dark chocolate and sweet-tart raspberries. Barrel presence is minimal, especially compared to Event Horizon - perhaps this beer used 2nd fill barrels? In any case, it smells excellent. The palate is excellent, too. The very robust chocolate-forward and semi-roasty malt flavor is dominant, but there's a ton of raspberry here too, which is both sweet and tart. Mouthfeel is full and silky, and sweetness is pleasantly reigned-in. I detect a bit of caramel and oak tannin toward the finish, but beyond that there isn't much barrel flavor. Overall a very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 19:36:49 | More by largadeer

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz split into a snifter

A: Pours pitch black with a half finger of light brown head, which receded fairly quickly.

S: Strong sweet bourbon with lots of booze, dark chocolate, and caramel sweetness. Faint raspberries in the background. Very much reminiscent of BCBS. A bit much for me.

T: Much better than aroma. Strong dark chocolate and roast with raspberries in the background. Caramel sweetness to balance. A bit boozy, but not bad.

M: Very thick and creamy.

O: A very intense bourbon barrel aged imperial stout, quite similar to BCBS. The flavor is pretty balanced, though. The raspberries are way in the background, but provide a nice touch. I have a hard time believing this is 10%, though. Seems more like 13%.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 00:49:43 | More by coreyfmcdonald

Auracom

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Unexpected opportunity to try this one, huge thanks to another BA'er (whose name I'll be damned if I can remember, sorry) for the share. Poured into a tulip on March 10th, 2012 at KBS release.

A - Eerily similar to Black Note that I tried less than 10 minutes before this pour. Moderately think deep brown, black coloring with a twinge of violet or dark ruby hues. Very little head, retention, or lacing.

S - It took one dig into the nose to understand that this is how fruit should be integrated. The raspberries are tart and prominent, but only just so. Underlying wood barrel, a bit vineous, earthy, and subtle dark fruit beyond the rasp-variety.

T - More of that great raspberry tartness blended with mahogany or oak, raisins, slight molasses, roast. More than enjoyable.

M - Unpronounced medium body, good carbonation, dry finish.

D - Very memorable brew on a great day of tastings. Honestly, this kicks BC Bramble Rye's ass. Take note Goose Island, you can add in the fruit yet retain a sense of balance and complexity throughout.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 04:37:47 | More by Auracom

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.03/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours smooth oily pitch black with a small amount of coffee colored head that sits along the edges of the beer quite nicely. There is no lacing as it drinks.

S: I'm picking up scents of molasses, dark chocolate, and raspberry. There is an underlying burnt toast smell, and I also get a bit of soy and some alcohol.

T: It starts out sweet with a little burst of fruit flavor. The middle of the beer has a bright tartness from the raspberry. As that fades the bittersweet chocolate shines through. The finish has bit bit of a burnt charcoal like flavor mixed with booze.

M: Full bodied beer. The beer doesn't coat the palate (like I thought it would). The flavors dance on the tongue and fade away after the beer is gone. There is a lingering mix of tart and burnt.

O: I think this beer is pretty good. It's got a lot going on in it. The flavors are a weird mix, and I would have liked it to not have been so bitter. It's good, but I won't be seeking this beer out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 21:39:27 | More by trxxpaxxs

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into an Old Engine Oil tulip. Thanks to Tony for sharing.

A: Black body with brown highlights; momentary tan head. Pretty average.

S: Whoa. Huge bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry. Smells like an incredibly delicious bourbon + raspberry filled chocolate truffle. It's a big, bold, complex, and amazing aroma.

T: Way sweeter than the nose, with far less barrel and far more fruit. Raspberry and chocolate are the main players, with some spicy booze joining in on the finish. Still great, but less mindblowing than the aroma.

M: Slick medium body with some late-arriving but fairly intense carbonation. Strange, but not unpleasant.

O: This one made me fall in love with it based on the smell along. I could inhale this all night. A must-try.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 13:43:58 | More by woosterbill

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a SMBDC Stout tasting thanks to Amy and Michael, but don't remember who brought this one

Darker fizzy head, dark brown almost black colored beer.

Nose is chocolate!! Little roasty syrup, caramel and molasses, roast, chewy nougat, slight bitter roast and hint of raspberry like fruit.

Taste is sweet, malty, syrupy, molasses and caramel, chewy, light fruity with a raspberry like flavor, chocolate again with dark and baker's, raspberry syrup flavor, little sweet syrupy malt, hint of bitterness, thick and lush. Finish is dark and roasty, chocolate, bitter and big finish, bit of booze, but fairly dry.

Mouth is heavier bodied, decent carb, hint of booze.

Overall pretty good, nice chocolate, nice raspberry, big malts, big full mouth, booze is hidden fairly well.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 23:43:28 | More by jlindros

n2185

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: pours black with a finger of tan head that fades into a thin ring with little lacing.

S: roasted malts up front with semi-sweet chocolate followed by tart raspberries, vanilla, oak, and bourbon. Very pleasant

T: roasted malts followed by dark chocolate and sweet and tart raspberries. Oak, toffee, and bourbon notes follow with a finish of bitter roasted malts and char. Slight alcohol burn. Quite tasty.

M: thick body with low carbonation, this beer is fairly smooth and creamy.

O: a good beer that manages to balance the fruit with the stout and bourbon characters very well. Nice depth and complexity of flavor and aroma. I'd like a bit creamier body, but that's just a minor nitpick.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 04:09:24 | More by n2185