So it’s about time the Sarge came back with a good ole stout…in time for summer, no less.

Folks, let’s have a quick word about stouts. We know they’re ales made from roasted barleys, some good noble hops and yeast, but as I’ve indicated before, most microbreweries have compromised their craft to appease a wider audience’s palate. The folk at at Harviestoun come from good stock, hold themselves to a higher standard, and yes, they really do get it: stouts ain’t always sweet.

That’s not to say there’s not sweetness in this Black Ale, or any other stout- but I should say that the very title ‘Old Engine Oil Black Ale’ is not so much intriguing as simply unappetizing. Wow. I mean, lots of things come to mind here: Can this be used as engine oil in my vehicle in light of a severe oil crisis worldwide? Was this brewed with engine oil as a component? Did they ferment the brew in a 5.0L engine from a Crown Vic?

In the non-racial sense, this ale is [b]black[b/]- entirely opaque. It’s a color not unlike Guinness, though I served this ale at cellar temperature (49º) to get a little more flavor. If I recall, Guinness is normally served ice-cold. and carbonated with nitrogen. There’s a very light, sweet, almost citrusy and pungent aroma in the Black Ale. There’s also a very light ring of head that, like many good stouts, have a yellowish tinge to it. The very texture is lightly carbonated, but the robust flavor has a ‘goes up your nose’ feeling like many Rauchbiers I’ve tried.

It’s advertised as Viscous (eww), Chocolately, and ‘Roasty’. In a way, it caputres all three, though I’m not totally sold on the aftertaste. I’m left with a slightly sour tang after each sip which lingers- and I’ve experienced this with many stouts. Though not unpleasant, it’s not as ‘even’ on the finish as I would have hoped.

At 6%, it’s not quite on par with an Imperial Stout’s ABV%, even if it’s flavor is. I wouldn’t recommend drinking this without its pairing with a good meal, something very meat n’ potatoes. Also, the time of year isn’t quite right for this beer (unless you’re in Alaska) as a heavy, stout-like beer. It’s a heavy Imperial Stout that complements many things, but due to its thickness, the sun is not one of them.

Sarge Out