Today brings my second entry in my little week of Oskar Blues. This morning we look at Old Chub. An 8% AVB Scotch Ale. I often profess my love for the hoppiest of the hoppy beer, the hop bombs, if you will. Well Old Chub is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, A malt bomb. Let's see how it goes over with this hop head To the beer!
Old Chub pours a deep dark brown. It looks nearly black at first glance but when held to light deep chestnut and vibrant ruby highlights become evident. It's capped by a finger of bubbly tan head that leaves a bit of spotty lacing.
Lovely aromas here on this beer. Rich, deep, toffee and caramel malt notes along with plenty of roastiness and a slight boozy hint. There's also almost an earthy tobacco like character in there as well.
Old Chub tastes rich and incredibly smooth. Like I said before, this beer is a wonderful showcase for rich, complex, dark malt flavors. Roasty toffee, a slight smokiness, and some faint hints of chocolate and coffee lead into a delightful deep caramel sweetness. Hops are there, but only for bittering and balance. Old Chub is incredibly drinkable. That booziness that I detected in the aroma is very well hidden on the taste.
Looks like Oskar Blues is two for two with me. Old Chub is dark, rich, complex. This is a showcase of what great malt flavor can do for a beer in the same way that a great Imperial IPA is a showcase for the flavors and aromas of the hop. Check this one out.
HD
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