Disastrous Molasses
Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

Semi held up

Holy mother of all things decadent and disastrous- Pushing the limits of even what British Strong Ale can do, the fine and somewhat reckless brewers of Oskar Blues pull back from the sheer sweetness of barleywine while promoting this stock ale to the heights seldom and the quality perhaps never seen.

Burnt, bronze, tawny and garnet, its stillness and delicate swath of creme whets the whistle at mere sight. As the nose nears, those evocations only improve- molasses and bourbon lead the scent with dark earthy fruits, chocolate, toasted nuttiness and umami-rich savory character flooding the olfactories. And once the elixir hits the tongue, the malty-sweet flavors simply explode.

The most supple sip latches onto the tastebuds and saturates them fully with lavish sweetness. Toffee, caramel, chocolate, toast, walnut and that oh-so succulent black-strap molasses washes the palate with robust sweetness as absolute decadence ensues. Plum, blackberry, currant, fig, prune, raisin, date, curaçao, sherry, leather, tobacco, cherry and port all rise and fall while hints of chocolate, tartness and coffee swirl around the senses. With each and every sip, a new collection of flavors align on the tongue and enlighten the senses as the palate acclimates and the temperature allows the beer to reveal more of its culinary secrets.

Full, sometimes ridiculously so, the beer's body is of equal parts cloying maple and then spicy bourbon. Its sweet and spicy interplay is undeniably satisfactory to the stomach as well as the senses. Warm to the mouth, even the bourbon-esque nuance of coconut, vanilla and caramel continue oaken charm with a wine-like tang looming. A cling of booze-laden sugars easily replace dessert as this ale is reserved for the most special of occasions- or to simply weather a natural disaster.

3-22

It aged beautifully in my opinion! It poured like maple syrup, the nose was like breakfast and the alcohol burn was nearly undetectable. Flavor wise it was mellow, slightly sweet, a little roasty. Probably one of the very best strong ales I have ever had. Literally smells like bacon, eggs, maple sausage, and pancakes.

 

C'mon! Who can resist a waxed can!!?? The beer world continues to get weirder and wilder. I love it!

Pours a light brown with a khaki head. Nose is brown sugar, molasses and alcohol....lots of alcohol! Alcohol can be confused with a fruity character since assertive alcohol smells sweet. While the other "brown sweet tones" do come through in the nose, the alcohol is almost overwhelming. Almost like drinking Boubon.

Flavor profile is just like the nose. Brown sugar, molasses and lots of booze. It's good! Be ready for Bourbon on this one. If Bourbon is not your drink.....stay away.

HUGE bourbon notes on this beer. Upon taste I get toffee and a bit of burnt sugar. This was a great beer to stand up to the heavy bourbon notes present. Picked up a crowler to share with some friends, can't wait for the opportunity to open it.

Woah boozy as #@ß%. Same style as a Bruery Anniversary but not as refined.

 

 

A very good beer though not all that complex. I only get the molasses a bit in the finish. Appearance is ok. Aroma mainly caramel. Flavor's a little more than nose with some toffee, whiskey, more sweet than bitter, a bit of tang. Body is good, boozy, just enough carbonation. Da beer.

Pours a darker brown color. Not super dark though. Hot damn this beer is strong in smell and taste. Big alcohol bite. Sweet Molasses kick. I almost couldn't handle it. Glad I got to try and really glad I shared it with a friend.