Harviestoun Old Engine Oil (Bottle)

Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale
Alva, Central, Scotland

Bottle. Oh man they got the name of this beer just perfect. This beer really looks like car oil with an opaque black color with only the faintest gold hues. Small tan head tops it off. Smell is inviting which is strange because it also touches on engine oil but is created by the mixture of chocolate malts, almonds, and some light dry fruit and coffee. Flavor doesnt start with a kick but the dominant chocolate malt soon coats the tongue. Caramel, nuts, and that excellent smoky flavor are also present. Good mouthfeel also present to cap off an excellent beer. Only complaint is that the flavors could have more kick.

Bottle at Københavnske Øldage. A clear, very dark brown beer with a small tan head. Chocolate, mocha, some licorice and coffee in the nose, really pleasant and complex. Very balanced and complex flavor as well, with the same elements as in the nose, finishing with some hops. Quite dry, full body. What a lovely beer! (070512)

[Taster – Seattle International Beerfest]
Dark dark black in color with no head. Aroma of that of a old deep dark roasted ale. The flavor was a strong stout/porter/old ale style. Loved the flavors and this beer. Great drinking and not for those with little beer experience. Not super strong in alcohol but this beer drinks very well and travels great in the keg. Semi strong fruity flavor mixed with some sour notes. This was a good drinking beer.

This beer does not pour like engine oil. If you are going to call this beer engine oil then it better be thick. I smell the fruit and molasses smell. Very strong sour smell as well. I am not getting excited about trying it to tell the truth. It has a weird smell to me. A bit of soy sauce smell. Wow, I just tasted the beer, and I actually enjoy the taste. Toffee, wood, burnt toffee, wood, and a smooth sweet. I pick up on more of the wood, and toffee notes. Pretty good flavor. The smell does not do the beer justice. I was surpised to have actually enjoyed this beer. The palate is crap. The beer is too thin. I enjoy the taste, which is most important, I do not enjoy the palate or smell. The fruity flavor, and sour flavor do not taste as much as they smell. Decent beer.

Opaque ebony pour, with thin head. Toasted chocolate malts on the nose. Shares similar scents as those found in a smokey single malt, toasted, almost peaty? but less powerful. Rich chocolate flavors...toasted, nutty, with hints of caramel and dry hoppy presence lingering towards the end. A dry stout, but one with lots of character. Agreat brew!

Hard to classify this one, but you can’t deny that it’s a damn good beer. Rich and full of lovely chocolatey and some citrusy aromas, and a full body that tastes like chocolate, coffee, and roasted nuts. Incredibly drinkable for a beer so rich.

Bottled. Poured a murky, deep cola brown with a fizzy beige head that settles down quickly. Aroma was quite lovely with sweeter chocolates and day-old coffee grounds (but a decent coffee, so it was still aiight).. mild darker rummy raison notes and some roasted black patent malt even deeper. Flavor began with an interesting hit of dark fruit sourness, followed by sweet, dry, and grainy roasted chocolates.. sour fruit and coffee bitterness accent the edges.. back to the chocolate, some figs, and raisins at the finish.. tasty and intriguing. Medium-bodied with a solid flow across the palate.. chocolate was grainy, but I enjoyed the feel.. just slightly warm on the finish. Nice one.

Pours deep ruby with largish brown head. Nose is chocolate, olive, roasted malt, coffee, and faint floral hops. The flavor is roasty, smoky, ashy, sweet. Oily mouthfeel. Reminds me of a sweet stout. Pretty good stuff.