Old Chub

Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery

Supplier: Luvians Bottle Shop - St Andrews

Another of the Oskar Blues Breweries year round beers; this malty ale is made with a range of malted barley including a beachwood-smoked malt. The sight says that Old Chub has won Top Rated Scotch Ale on Beeradvocate, but it doesn't say witch year. Whilst cans benefit hoppy beers the most there are still lots of benefits for the other beers as well, so it is nice to see such a strong and dark beer in a can. This particular can was canned in September 2013 so is only 7ish months old; I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Dark but maroon when held to the light, with a very thin tan head that is gone by the time you put the glass down.

Aroma: Raisins, fortified wines and a very very slight hint of soapiness. 

Flavour: It tastes pretty much exactly as it smells, all those flavours just a little sweeter.

Body: Very smooth and with a velvety mouthfeel, maybe a little flat but that is fine for a style like this. In the aftertaste there is a little bit of a dry mouthfeel.

Aftertaste: A very clean bitterness forms at the end, I can't tell that it comes from the hops. The downside about this aftertaste is that it goes "up" into that slightly sour taste like in carbonated water (despite no bubbles), instead of mellowing "down" into a sweet taste.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, but only just. Whilst I would have liked it to finish with a sweet note it is still a very good beer with some very interesting flavours. No smoky notes though...

Price Range: £4.00 for a 355ml can, a bit too much for what it is.

Food Pairings: A stodgy dessert such as bread and butter pudding or spotted dick.