Beer Review: Harviestoun – Ola Dubh

11
Nov0

Black as black can be!

Amount of brew in bottle: 11.2 fluid ounces
ABV: 8.0%
Type of brew: Ale
Price: $8.50

Earlier I reviewed a beer from Ireland and now I am reviewing a beer from Scotland, it is like I planned it! I have been eyeing this beer for awhile but have been reluctant to get it because of the high cost of one bottle. Finally though I got a bottle of this and am now reviewing it (no shit, right?). This beer is not what I was expecting though, I was really expecting a syrupy sludge. Instead this beer is sweet, flat and fairly light tasting. The beer gets considerably better as it warms up, this is not a beer you want to drink straight out of the fridge.

The beer does have hints of whisky which makes sense since it is aged in whisky barrels. Like all other wood-aged beers it is a lot sweeter than your normal beers. When I mentioned this beer was flat in the first paragraph I really meant it, there was absolutely no head at all when I poured it. It is like drinking a wine, water or flat soda. This is one of the darkest ales I have ever consumed though, it is pitch black. Initially I was not impressed with this beer but as it warmed up I really enjoyed it. It is not the best beer I have ever had nor do I think it is worth the price tag of it, but it isn’t horrible. I kind of think of it as a cheesy action flick that you don’t mind paying $9 to see once because it was pretty funny and entertaining but you wouldn’t buy it or even remember it in a year.

The good: A fairly tasty beer once it warms up
The bad: I think the price point is a little high

Overall taste: