Dominion Oak Barrel Stout (brewpub version)

Formerly brewed at Old Dominion Brewing Co.
Style: Stout
Dover, Delaware USA

Dominion Oak Barrel Stout is Dominion Stout that is conditioned in 4 year old oak barrels that have had Virginia Gentleman Bourbon conditioning in them. The complex flavors and aromas, this already phenomenal beer picks up from the barrel, is stunning. Dominion Oak Barrel Stout pours to a jet black color, with a slight tan head that fades, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is a true joy. Complex aromas of chocolate, coffee, and roast marry with aromas of vanilla, oak, and bourbon. The palate is soft and silky on the tongue, with big flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, and roasty flavors. This beer finishes with more complex chocolate malt and coffee flavors, and ends with some vanilla and oaky flavor.

By far, the best Stout I’ve ever had. Found it at Mad Mex on McKnight Rd in Pittsburgh. Everytime I go to Pittsburgh, I base my travels on bars that have this stuff on tap. I live in Vegas and probably won’t ever be able to get it here on tap.

Had this at the Old Dominion Beer Fest. Dark brown with a creamy tan head. Chocolate, bourbon, vanilla. My first thought was that I was drinking chocolate ice cream. Excellent.

Served on tap at the Old Dominion 7th Annual Beer Festival, June 28, 2003. The line for this beer was unbelieveable. At least 60 people standing in line for a taste of this rare nectar. Poured out jet black, not a spot of brown to be had. No head at all, because this was a cask conditioned beer. Aromas mostly of vanilla, vanilla, and more vanilla. Oh yeah, did I mention it smelled like vanilla? Not much in the way of malt aromas here, but plenty of alcohol. In fact, all I could really smell was vanilla & alcohol. It basically smelled like vanilla extract. I asked the server if they used extract in it, and he had to call the brewer over. He told me they use a lot of vanilla beans in each batch. No extract. Some woody - oaky notes in the middle, followed by a strong alcoholic finish. Not much in the way of hops here. Not such a bad beer, but extremely unbalanced IMHO. Very sweet, cloying even. Coated the tongue with a syrup consistency. Long standing aftertaste of vanilla. Good thing I only had one of these.

Wow!! This stout has so much flavor! I first had this beer over superbowl weekend at the brewery. I bought a growler and could not stop drinking it. This should be a dessert brew. It has a big chocolate, vanilla, and oak flavor. Very nice.

Chocolates in the aroma. Very dark brown color, little if any light passed through, not much head. Very sweet chocolate flavors with a hint of mocha and malts. Very rich. Thick, but not dense. The aftertaste has a hint of bitterness. Good stuff.

Execelent strong vanilla notes. Great dark stout color with a nice cream head. Overall the best stout I think I've had.

Wow. Very dark and opaque. No real head. Nose is very woody and strong. Drinking this is like drinking burnt wood, roasted malts, tobacco, molasses--very hefty and rich. Very oaky. A very, very nice stout.