Oakshire Conundrum

Brewed by Oakshire Brewing (Willamette Brewery)
Style: American Pale Ale
Eugene, Oregon USA

Date: September 22, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Concordia Ale House, Portland
Appearance: black, dark brown edges, frothy beige head, drippy lace
Aroma: light roasted malt aroma, sweet crystal, light citrus
Flavor: sweet roasted and dark chocolate flavor, light citrus and flaral hops, earthyness blended with the dark malts, long bitter finish
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ** /4

They were calling this a fresh hopped dark pale ale at Bier Stein where I had it on tap. Poured a cola black with a thick coating of tan head and a lot of lacing. Aroma was of pine and earthen hops with black malt. Flavor was dark malt, pine and earthen hop notes with a bit of a biscuity flavor to boot. Definite roast involved, not sure I got the coffee the other reviewer mentioned. Average beer, not quite what I was hoping for.

Draught at Alehouse. Called a dark pale ale. Poured black with thick beige head, much lacing. Hoppy aroma with a citrusy tinge, but not enough for an IPA. Full malty flavour, with a large mouth feel. Also some coffee and roast notes, you don’t expect in a pale. Lasting bitterish hop finish.