Dread God
Olde Hickory Brewery

Dread GodDread God
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From:
Olde Hickory Brewery
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
10%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.22 | pDev: 6.64%
Reviews:
11
Ratings:
28
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 16, 2021
Added:
Apr 01, 2016
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  5
Brewed with honey and matured in Highland Scotch Whisky casks.
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Ratings by Immortale25:
Photo of Immortale25
Reviewed by Immortale25 from North Carolina

4.37/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into an Ommegang stemmed glass. Label says Bottling Date 4/29/16.

A- Pours a fully opaque black color with a 1/4 inch light brown head that retains well before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a small center patch of sheer surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing leaves tiny specs behind.

S- Woody aroma with a bit of smoky astringency.

T- The Scotch barrel comes through mainly, imparting a semi-astringent character to the beer. There's also a bit of vanilla but the key player here is the Scotch barrel bringing that Band-aid note that actually works with the roastiness of the beer and is in no way overbearing. Everything works so well together that I barely notice the 10% ABV.

M- Thick and silky with medium-low carbonation and a full body.

O- Though I'm not a fan of Scotch, I really enjoy this beer. It has enough sweetness to counteract the smoke from the barrel and make for a really balanced drink. Recommended.
Jul 19, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of jjamadorphd
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A very solid Scotch ale...

I’m always partial to this style and this instance doesn’t disappoint. Great dark coloration, light boozy smell and taste, but it does pack a good punch. I recommend as a great introductory beer to the style.
May 16, 2021
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
Bottled 2016

A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger foamy khaki colored head that reduces to a ring around the glass

S- smoky charred malt on the nose gives aromas of chocolate, anise & caramel. There's a honey undertones that seems to be enhanced by the scotch barrel, which adds aromas of oak and brine, overall bold on the nose

T- dark roasted barley gives flavors of char, dark chocolate, black strap molasses, anise, black licorice and campfire. Mid-palate brings out notes of sweet honey as well as floral and oak additions from the barrel. The finish is slightly briny, with more charred wood and chocolate on the linger.

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a creamy, warming finish

O- as expected, the Highland scotch barrel adds light influences, but enhances the honey in the beer
Oct 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.06 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

May 07, 2019
Photo of dbrauneis
Reviewed by dbrauneis from North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours an opaque thick viscous jet black in color with moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising slowly along the edges of the glass and faint very dark cola brown colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall dense sudsy foamy mocha head that slowly reduces to a medium to large sized patch of medium thick film covering just shy of 50% of the surface of the beer surrounded by a large patch of thin film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Slightly stronger than moderate aromas of dark chocolate over the top of moderate aromas of roasted + charred malts with a light to moderate amount of honey sweetness. Light to moderate aromas of smoked peat + caramel + oak barrel as well as a touch of scotch.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted + charred malts with a light amount of honey sweetness. That is followed by moderate to strong flavors of dark chocolate. Finally there are light to moderate flavors of smoked peat + caramel + oak barrel as well as a touch of scotch. Light amounts of roasty bitterness in the finish which fades pretty quickly leaving a light lingering smokiness.

M: Full bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Light amounts of alcohol warming as the beer comes up to temperature.

O: This one is really nice with some age on it and I feel like the honey, scotch whiskey barrels, and roasted malts have integrated really well. Drinks easily considering the strength with decently hidden alcohol. Very enjoyable.
Feb 15, 2018
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

3.36/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Black with a dark tan fuzzy collar.

Smell is chocolate, roasted malt, amaretto and smoke.

Peat is more apparent in flavor with a definite muddy marsh and soggy, vegetal fallen leaf element to go with some char through the roasted cocoa base. It's not the worst Scotch barrel aged beer I've had...

Body is light with a big froth, finishing semi-dry with some heat.
Jan 22, 2018
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Pours the color of used motor oil witha massive tan head; squiggles of lacing abound

Smell: Dark chocolate, smoke, oak and honey

Taste: Dark chocolate forward, with the smoky, Scotch barrel tones developing; after the swallow, the honeyed sweetness rises to challenge the smoke, with both elements clashing, somewhat, in the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation

Overall: A little over one year in and this beer is quite mellow; the Scotch barrel is understated, which is fine, but the honey and the smoke don't integrate very well
Jun 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.49 by Jlang2012 from South Carolina

Jun 26, 2017
Photo of darktronica
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottled April 2016, so nearly a year of age on it. Pours inky black, with really nice cocoa-brown head that ends up leaving some shiny "soap bubbles" around the rim of the snifter. The base Imperial Stout has a nutty, pecan-pith sort of bitterness and a dry finish that I thought would pair well with the briny peat of a scotch barrel, so I was excited to try this (big ups to brentk56 for the trade). It hasn't let me down. The nose is a bit subdued and not too dissimilar from the base beer, but the flavor profile takes a slightly different direction that I love. The honey and chocolate sweetness is still there, but the scotch imparts a nice smoke, more herbal bitterness, and a nice finishing touch of iodine and peat that I think is just right as a counterpoint to the honey and malts. Imagine what would have been if the barrels were from an Islay distillery rather than one from the Highlands.
Apr 13, 2017
Photo of KRubes
Reviewed by KRubes from North Carolina

4.32/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bomber poured into an OHB tulip glass. Bottling date of 4/29/16.

A- Motor oil black with a spongy, two-finger head. Tan/hazelnut head quickly dissipated within seconds of the pour, replaced with an omnipresent ring.

S- Wood, smoke, vanilla, molasses.

T- More smoke. Roasty, dark chocolate and a touch of coffee grounds. Sweet molasses. Mild bitterness on the backend.

M- Full body. Medium carbonation. Sticky.

O- Another OHB winner. Intriguing use of barrel, but it works. Was anticipating more Scotch notes, but I can't complain. This imperial stout is very enjoyable and I would gladly try it again. These guys are barrel masters.
Mar 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by ADTaber from South Carolina

Feb 07, 2017
Photo of Griffin2
Reviewed by Griffin2 from Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bomber.
L - Poured a dark black with a tan head.
S - Smells of whiskey.
T - Nice barrel characteristics.
F - Nice thick stout.
O - Really nice stout.
Jan 15, 2017
 
Rated: 4.14 by IckyT2012 from Florida

Jan 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.8 by CharlesK from Pennsylvania

Dec 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.58 by BirdsandHops from Oregon

Nov 09, 2016
Photo of oberon
Reviewed by oberon from North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottled on 4/29/16.Pours into a goblet jet black with a creamy deep beige head atop that leaves a creamy ring of lace behind as it settles.Slightly smoky and sweet in the nose,almost meaty with underlying chocolate and dark fruit,just so much to like here.The flavors are close to a "5" for me because the complexity abounds,chocolate and smokiness with underlying vanilla and brown sugar.It never comes close to getting to sweet for me yet it's boozy and fun to drink,the chewy feel only makes it better.For me this is not only OH's best beer but the best beer currently brewed in NC.Amazing!That aroma can get boozy!
Oct 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by BEER88 from North Carolina

Oct 08, 2016
Photo of Fantific
Reviewed by Fantific from North Carolina

4.49/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark, opaque, cloudy pour with little foam that disappeared quickly. The smell was rather benign, slight scotcy scent. The scotch overwhelmes everything else except the bitterness, which was pronounced. I didn't think the honey really offset the bitter. It was a pretty solid beer and will probably get even better with aging. You have to like scotch to appreciate this one.
Oct 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.13 by DVMin98 from North Carolina

Sep 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by AngusOg from North Carolina

Sep 02, 2016
Dread God from Olde Hickory Brewery
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 28 ratings