Harviestoun Old Engine Oil
Not only did taking a few extra days off from work help recharge the battery, it gave me the opportunity to stop by one of my favorite stores in the Northern Virginia area. I’ve only been able to visit Norm’s Beer and Wine a couple of times, but each visit has produced a handful of tasty brews.
This time around, I was able to find a beer that I have had my eye on for some time now. I’m not sure if it was a review or a recommendation from a friend, but Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil has been at near the top of my list of “must finds.” Lucky for me, Norm’s had a couple of bottles ready for purchase.
Appearance
Just like it’s named this one pours a dark black with a creamy, light tan head. There’s little to no visible carbonation activity, but man, this thing looks great in a glass.
Aroma
Roasted coffee and chocolates dominate the nose with every sniff of Old Engine Oil. There’s a slight toffee sweetness, but it’s very subtle.
Taste
Upon further review, I should have let this one warm just a bit more before diving head first into it. Even a little too chilled, this is a tasty brew. It’s fairly viscous, but not nearly as thick as I had expected it to be. The roasted malt and coffees are there as is the semi-sweet chocolate with a complimentary bitterness in the finish.
Overall
This is one of those beers that’s just down right dangerous for the likes of me. I’m a fan of big, dark beers and with the Old Engine Oil only weighing in at 6% ABV, I can see several bottles of this one disappearing rather quickly in a single sitting. Perhaps I should make the out-of-the-way drive to Norm’s before tonight’s Giants game.
Rating: 4/5