Stephanie's Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Crabtree Brewing Company

I've been putting this aside for a relaxing night. It was worth the wait. Well worth it.

The appearance is deep black brown with a rich dark tan head similar to what a caramel latte may look like in color. Fuzzy, subtle carbonation. I like a dark, rich beer... and straight from the bottle just looking at it my hopes were rising.

The smell... I could sit down and just hold it to my nose for a while. The barrel comes through very well with the hymn of bourbon dreamily wafting with it. The booziness, the vanilla, the spiciness. The fermented raisins. Dried tart cherries. Hints of bitter chocolate and acidic coffee. That sort of oatmeal stout and cookie smell. Sugary... Ahh...

The taste follows up with the smell. You really get all the great notes of the barrel, the woodiness, a slight dry note from this and the booze and the bourbon. The raisins make an appearance to brighten things up and accompany the dry aspects with a mild tartness. They also accompany the other dried fruit tones in the beer exceptionally. Now on to the obvious. Why do people make oatmeal raisin cookies? Because they taste good. Because it is a fluent combination of flavors. This beer harnesses the subtle tones of oatmeal and sugars and hints of spices that flow with the bourbon. Crabtree really nailed it. It has a slight stout character deep within. They really created a beer that is just downright good through and through.

The mouthfeel is smooth, a bit dry, lighter than expected, slightly warm from the booze. But not tacky, not sticky, not overboard in anyway. I could drink the whole bottle... and I just might... and I would do it with ease. It's clean and beautiful with just the right amount of low carbonation.

Overall, I may be a bit biased. But I am also very pleased with this. I have had a lot of clunky, bang around beers that have been bourbon barrel aged. But if I could have this again, I would in an instant. I feel like the price mark at about $15 was reasonable by how drinkable and flavorful this beer is. No complaints. All hails!

 

 

even a year and a half didnt tame the whiskey intensity fo this one like i hoped it would. the pour is dark dark brown, with just patches of mocha colored bubbles. it looks and smells like a dark whiskey, really boozed up fusel alcohols and residual sugar. i smell some roast on the malt, some charcoal from the barrel, but where are these mysterious raisins? they dont show up in the taste either, which is a total booze bath, whiskey all the way, not enough room for any other flavors to come through. i really wanted this to be special, because the idea is so novel and the label is so intriguing, and because i know crabtree can do it, but this one didnt come together like it could have. still not an awful drink, just not as advertised. thin body, not enough bubbles, and painful alcohol. maybe yet another year in a cellar will do this good. i personally hope theres some around to try in a year, but i for one am not about to drop another 20 bucks on this thing.

 

 

 

750mL corked and caged bottle poured into a tulip. Thanks Matt for sharing? 2011 Vintage.

(A)- Pours pitch black and some tan froth formed.

(S)- Smells a bit sour and with dark cherry. Bits of raisin.

(T)- This must be infected. Lots and lots of sour cherry notes with bits of raisin.

(M)- Very sour. Must be infected. Too bad.

(O)- Unfortunately this must be infected. The only thing I get out of this is the raisin part of "Oatmeal Raisin Cookie" name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

750 ml bottle from Total Beverage Westminster poured a clear dark reddish brown with a lasting beige head. Aromas of bourbon, raisin, vanilla, burnt carmel and light oak. Mouthfeel was medium bodied and crisp. Flavors of bourbon, raisin, carmel, light vanilla and light oak with a crisp lingering bourbon finish.