Oakspire
New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Strong Ale - American
Ranked #171 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #21,101 - Avg:
- 3.86 | pDev: 10.1%
- Reviews:
- 115
- Ratings:
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 7
- Gots
- 46
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
We first began brewing Oakspire in 2018 as a special release around the Holidays and it has since become a fan favorite. In 2020, we're shaking things up with a take on the classic American cocktail - the Old Fashioned. Easily one of the most difficult beers we've ever produced, Oakspire features a custom-built, proprietary infusion method to pull the flavors from bourbon-steeped charred oak and marry with the sweet taste of orange and cherry, then finished with a dash of bitters.
Reviews: 115
| Ratings: 306
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Reviews by whitewizard:
whitewizard from Arizona
2.25/5 rDev -41.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25
Aug 25, 2019
2.25/5 rDev -41.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25
Aug 25, 2019
More User Reviews:
Zorro from California
3.25/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Chill hazed copper colored ale with a small tan colored head.
Smells very sweet even from a distance. I smell lots of malt and the glass is 3 feet from me. Intense smell of malt and caramel. This is close to sniffing malt syrup. Vanilla and oak are in here but this is really all about malt.
Starts out malty as expected with a strong rye bread flavor. Extremely malty and bready. Mild bitterness, hop isn't much of a factor here. Alcohol not detected. Tastes very much like Russian black bread with malt syrup.
Mouthfeel is OK.
Overall this is just OK. It is drinkable but I won't be needing more of it.
Oct 07, 2018
3.25/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Chill hazed copper colored ale with a small tan colored head.
Smells very sweet even from a distance. I smell lots of malt and the glass is 3 feet from me. Intense smell of malt and caramel. This is close to sniffing malt syrup. Vanilla and oak are in here but this is really all about malt.
Starts out malty as expected with a strong rye bread flavor. Extremely malty and bready. Mild bitterness, hop isn't much of a factor here. Alcohol not detected. Tastes very much like Russian black bread with malt syrup.
Mouthfeel is OK.
Overall this is just OK. It is drinkable but I won't be needing more of it.
Oct 07, 2018
russpowell from Arkansas
3.53/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an effervescent honey color with one finger of ivory colored head. Average head retention & better than average lacing
S: Sourmash scents that kind of fade as this warms
T: Toffee, a little Sourwood honey & some dryness up front. More dryness, honey Bourbon notes once warm. Fininshes dry with sweet/sour Bourbon notes
M: Medium body, restrained carbonation
Not bad, but was looking for more flavor & more barrel than this
Oct 07, 2018
3.53/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours an effervescent honey color with one finger of ivory colored head. Average head retention & better than average lacing
S: Sourmash scents that kind of fade as this warms
T: Toffee, a little Sourwood honey & some dryness up front. More dryness, honey Bourbon notes once warm. Fininshes dry with sweet/sour Bourbon notes
M: Medium body, restrained carbonation
Not bad, but was looking for more flavor & more barrel than this
Oct 07, 2018
travelguy from Ohio
4.13/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 03, 2019
4.13/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 03, 2019
BorisNorris from Idaho
3.62/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dirty copper color with caramelized orange highlights, and a dense, rocky white head. Vanilla, brown sugar, wood, caramel in the nose. Sweet start with maple syrup and caramel in front, rounds out with a bit of toffee and finishes strong with a balanced bourbon flavor. The body is a slightly creamy medium-full with medium carbonation. Finishes dry, bitter, and distinctly Knob Creek.
Oct 16, 2018
3.62/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dirty copper color with caramelized orange highlights, and a dense, rocky white head. Vanilla, brown sugar, wood, caramel in the nose. Sweet start with maple syrup and caramel in front, rounds out with a bit of toffee and finishes strong with a balanced bourbon flavor. The body is a slightly creamy medium-full with medium carbonation. Finishes dry, bitter, and distinctly Knob Creek.
Oct 16, 2018
glf60 from Virginia
3.58/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 08, 2018
3.58/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 08, 2018
Mortarforker from Texas
3.8/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 04, 2019
3.8/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
May 04, 2019
reaganrvltn from Georgia
3.74/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dec 09, 2018
3.74/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dec 09, 2018
Marklaker from Florida
3.79/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oct 26, 2018
3.79/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oct 26, 2018
roadcrew from Missouri
3.97/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I really enjoyed this beer at room temperature. It had a good full flavor with the addition of the oak bourbon. However, when refrigerated, it was undrinkable.
Dec 22, 2018
3.97/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I really enjoyed this beer at room temperature. It had a good full flavor with the addition of the oak bourbon. However, when refrigerated, it was undrinkable.
Dec 22, 2018
Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
3.71/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a reddish brown color. 1 finger off white head, with the retention being ok, but not too long. There's just a slight bit of lacing on the glass.
The nose is, well, not too strong, and I've had it sitting out of the fridge in the bottle for a while, so it should closer to room temp. I do just get a faint hint of the barrel.
Taste - Well, I get a bit of fruit in this beer, maybe cherries. Some vanilla.
Lighter bodied than I was expecting. There's a nice pop in my throat from the carbonation.
It's an ok beer, but nothing that knocks it out of the park. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing inspiring, either.
May 13, 2019
3.71/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a reddish brown color. 1 finger off white head, with the retention being ok, but not too long. There's just a slight bit of lacing on the glass.
The nose is, well, not too strong, and I've had it sitting out of the fridge in the bottle for a while, so it should closer to room temp. I do just get a faint hint of the barrel.
Taste - Well, I get a bit of fruit in this beer, maybe cherries. Some vanilla.
Lighter bodied than I was expecting. There's a nice pop in my throat from the carbonation.
It's an ok beer, but nothing that knocks it out of the park. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing inspiring, either.
May 13, 2019
jaxon53 from Connecticut
3.86/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 08, 2019
3.86/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sep 08, 2019
AdmiralOzone from Minnesota
3.63/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear dark honey colored amber, smallish cream head that falls away quickly leaving spotty lacing. Aroma is faint, caramel and oak. Flavor is peaty caramel malt and oak, a bit sweet. Feel is medium bodied and lightly carbonated. Overall just an okay barrel aged beer.
Oct 21, 2018
3.63/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear dark honey colored amber, smallish cream head that falls away quickly leaving spotty lacing. Aroma is faint, caramel and oak. Flavor is peaty caramel malt and oak, a bit sweet. Feel is medium bodied and lightly carbonated. Overall just an okay barrel aged beer.
Oct 21, 2018
202ipa from Massachusetts
4.89/5 rDev +26.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
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.
Mar 23, 2021
4.89/5 rDev +26.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
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.
Mar 23, 2021
BlueSpader from Washington
3.81/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oct 22, 2018
3.81/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Oct 22, 2018
Keepnitrl from Washington
3.6/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Nov 28, 2018
3.6/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Nov 28, 2018
ian_graf from Minnesota
3.69/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Oct 13, 2018
3.69/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Oct 13, 2018
MoreBeer4me from New Jersey
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This one finally made an appearance here last week so I obviously picked up a sixer. 9% ABV? Really? Where is it? I certainly can't taste it. Now this wouldn't be a bad thing if the beer was a flavor explosion of "bourbon barrel aged goodness". But guess what? It's not. The beer is good, but definitely needs a rework if ever to be released again. I held big hopes for this one as their Abbey is one of my favorite brews and an absolute bargain. Oh well....................
Nov 28, 2018
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This one finally made an appearance here last week so I obviously picked up a sixer. 9% ABV? Really? Where is it? I certainly can't taste it. Now this wouldn't be a bad thing if the beer was a flavor explosion of "bourbon barrel aged goodness". But guess what? It's not. The beer is good, but definitely needs a rework if ever to be released again. I held big hopes for this one as their Abbey is one of my favorite brews and an absolute bargain. Oh well....................
Nov 28, 2018
desint from Belgium
4.1/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Mar 01, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Mar 01, 2020
dwilkins from Illinois
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Color: Clear, medium reddish brown. Bourbon colored!
Aroma: Definite caramel aroma mixed with the malty aroma of a brew shop.
Taste: A little caramel upfront and bourbon barrel notes to finish. light. Not at all like a Bourbon barrel stout.
Feel: Sort of thin feeling for having a "darker" flavor.
It seems like this one is trying to straddle the fence between wider appeal and an excellent upper-end barley wine. I'd like to see an "Imperial Oakspire" that has a greater commitment (warmer undertones and a richer body) in the latter direction. This is the "Fat Tire" version of what it should be.
Sep 01, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Color: Clear, medium reddish brown. Bourbon colored!
Aroma: Definite caramel aroma mixed with the malty aroma of a brew shop.
Taste: A little caramel upfront and bourbon barrel notes to finish. light. Not at all like a Bourbon barrel stout.
Feel: Sort of thin feeling for having a "darker" flavor.
It seems like this one is trying to straddle the fence between wider appeal and an excellent upper-end barley wine. I'd like to see an "Imperial Oakspire" that has a greater commitment (warmer undertones and a richer body) in the latter direction. This is the "Fat Tire" version of what it should be.
Sep 01, 2019
probert from New York
3.8/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dec 01, 2018
3.8/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dec 01, 2018
Mikemcgrath4 from North Carolina
4/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 03, 2019
4/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 03, 2019
bplabernie from Michigan
3.5/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Oct 14, 2018
3.5/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Oct 14, 2018
chris826 from Mississippi
4.14/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Nov 17, 2018
4.14/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Nov 17, 2018
Nass from Florida
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The pour is amber colored. The taste is bourbon barrel, orange peel, & cherries. It's a decent old fashioned but it could use some more flavor. Cheers! B
Dec 22, 2020
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The pour is amber colored. The taste is bourbon barrel, orange peel, & cherries. It's a decent old fashioned but it could use some more flavor. Cheers! B
Dec 22, 2020
Oakspire from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
306 ratings
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