Oakspire (2018-2020)
New Belgium Brewing Company

12 oz. Bottle
ENJOY BY: 02AUG20

Poured into a goblet a pretty nice translucent dark golden amber color, with some pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger light tan head, which also leaves a pretty nice medium size island and some nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, with some pretty nice, vanilla, bourbon, oak, toffee. The taste is pretty nice, malty, with a pretty nice touch of vanilla, bourbon, nice oakyness, with some toffee, nice sweetness. Medium body, ABV is hidden very nicely, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a pretty nice brew.

(review from November 2018) Very subtle notes of vanilla, bourbon & caramel + a whiff of toffee & oak. Good mouthfeel & an incredibly smooth fooler of a 9%er.

RB transfer

Mahogany color. Thin, off-white head. Caramel, toffees, and vanilla in the aroma. Malty taste with notes of vanilla and wood at the end. An interesting beer for sure.

From a 12oz that has an enjoy by 02/03/19. Pours a mostly clear dark copper color with a one finger tan head.. smell has lots of wood char and bourbon some roasted malts. Taste follows nose with additional notes of tobacco molasses . Mouth feel i is oaky with whiskey and char , This was in my cellar for years ,and was still good.

Bottle from Brewers Haven. Nice looking pour, soft,bubbly head, dark clear amber. Aroma is light and woody. Taste comes in strong, leather and tobacco, woody, bourbon barrel. Then tails off before going out with a whimper. Too much of some elements, not enough of others.

Overall, a decent, but disappointing beer.

Smell is pleasant. Tons of barrel character, from spices to coconut. Little to no malt evident.

Taste is a bit flatter. Still loads of barrel character in the form of baking spices, coconut, and dark cherries. Malt is hard to find. It's a bit too bitter, but it doesn't feel like hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel is generally fine. It's about medium to medium full, and a medium carbonation. It's also a bit hot, which is surprising for a 9% beer. The heat kind of kills the mouthfeel for me.


I think with a maltier beer this could be absolutely wonderful. This oaking is spot on, and it's crying out for the maltiness of a Barleywine.

Once again, sadly, I must agree with the majority here. Very little aroma, not much more taste. A hazy dark amber pour without head (mind you, I bought this in 2021). The alcohol starts to hit as it warms. It's not unpleasant by any means, just not flavor-forward.

 

 

A dark amber color with a fluffy off-white head. Beautiful lacing.
Understated aroma. Fruit, bourbon, vanilla.
Taste of orange, caramel, bourbon, vanilla.
A bit on the thin side. I would also have liked a stronger bourbon presence.

2019 Bottle poured into a New Belgium Brewing Co globe

A: Pours copper amber with a frothy light tan head that settles to a firm layer and laces nicely.

S: Honestly, kinda weak. Toasty bready malt, light oak, a little spice, soft touch of bourbon, slight earthy and herbal notes, toffee, a hint of vanilla, and faint floral notes.

T: Toasty, bready, vanilla, peppery spice, light toffee, soft bourbon, subtle earthy and floral notes, and a nice touch of oak.

M: A bit on the fuller side of medium body, somewhat soft carbonation, with the slightest sensation of warmth.

O: I kept waiting for the right night to crack this one open and tonight is finally that night. (My opinions definitely grew and changed as my glass emptied, but I'll try and stop myself from writing a full novel.)
Definitely not what I was expecting, but it's cool in its own way, especially the process behind it. While I enjoyed what's there, I really wish it was taken a step further; made more like a strong ale than an amber, fuller, with a more assertive bitterness and rye bite, and even more bourbon presence. Credit where it's due, what they came up with is a very easy sipping smooth and nuanced beer that offers some nice elements. Someone slowly getting into bourbon would probably enjoy this as a nice way to dip your toes in, but if you're a fan of bourbon, especially how it usually shows up in beers, this is kind of a let down. I guess to sum up my gripes, in a "bourbon barrel ale" the bourbon presence should more pronounced to show off that partnership, rather than an exercise in the understated.

 

First I’d like to qualify I’m from KY and we take all things bourbon seriously; from the liquor to bourbon ball candies. Generally I’m not a big fan of bourbon in my beer so I entered this experience with more than a bit of skepticism.

I had to remind myself, before the first sip, it’s NOT an old fashioned made at the local bourbon bar, merely a beer inspired by the famous drink. Keeping that in mind I offer my observations.

Pours a slightly hazy amber color. It smells a bit like bourbon, not as straightforward as some barrel aged beers. There’s a bit of vanilla and a sweetness as well. Maybe some yeasty notes too.

The first taste is similar to the sweetness you get from an Old Fashioned with the boozy warmth at the end. As far as a beer being inspired by an Old Fashioned I’d say it hits the mark.

I’ve read a couple of reviews that seem to say this beer is not that good because it doesn’t taste like an Old Fashioned. Duh. It’s a beer and it’s using the famous drink as an inspiration. It’s cannot be, nor have the complex flavor profiles of an Old Fashioned because it’s a beer, not an actual Old Fashioned.

By my measure, this effort is worthy of praise not scorn. Frankly, I’m impressed that the brewers were capable of pulling this off to this degree. Remember what you’re drinking and what the ambition is/was. This is a very drinkable beer that draws its inspiration from one of the best cocktails ever imagined. Cheers.

 

One of the most decadent beer I have gotten my paws on. Tastes like a delicious old fashioned garnished with an orange peel. I hope I can get a hold of this again some day. The 2 IPA buzz from this is otherworldly.

 

Just when I was glad to be done with all my winter warmers, I found Oakspire and am enjoying it.
First, it is a good Looker; a pretty amber who keeps its suds and leaves lace. Smells are sweet malt, bourbon barrel (including vanilla) and holiday spices (including orange.) The sweet Tastes are balanced by these spices and barely noticeable hops. They combine for a semi-dry finish. The mouth is full and somehow soft, despite a barley bill.

OA, the question remains: how did they do that ?

 

Pours a cloudy amber, leaning more on the brown side. Nice creamy head a first, lacing from initial pour that leans into a creamy thin layer of white that stays.

Aroma is sweet dark fruits and a little touch of oak.

Taste is like a beefed up amber ale with all the flavors you’d expect in an old fashioned.

Mouthfeel is medium, little booze and a pleasant lingering sweetness. There is the slightest, I emphasize slightest, medicinal bitterness but I think it is the bitters (duh). I will emphasize it doesn’t ruin the beer at all it tastes like a dash of bitters in a drink.

This is a really cool take on turning a cocktail into a beer. In a world where beer is adjuncted to the points we see now this one tows a nice line and let’s you know it’s definitely still beer. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys an old fashioned. One is enough for me but I wouldn’t hesitate to try again.