Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special 16 Reserve Review

Ale Matured in Whisky Casks

Harviestoun Brewery

Alva, Scotland

Harviestoun.com

8% abv

11.2oz bottle

$9.99 a bottle

Bottle No. 10623

Date bottled: April 2013

Black Ale – Oak aged

Ola Dubh – ‘black oil’

Matured in Highland Park’s gloriously rich and smoky 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

I really like these oak (whisky) barrel aged ales that the different breweries have been making.  For me these ales are really nice with a fine cigar.

Appearance: black body with a cola like edge; just a fine film of fizz on top; no lacing at all

Aroma: bold and rich nose; semi-sweet dark chocolate; roasted coffee beans; toasted toffee; smoky

Flavors: dark chocolate mixed with roasted sweet grains and a touch of dark roast coffee; nice touch of toffee; tobacco leaf; hint of Scotch warmth on the back and finish; roasted notes with light bitterness linger on the palate;

Mouthfeel: rich flavors; pleasing roasted notes; slight alcohol warmth;

To the Point: much better than the 21 year old Ola Dubh; this one is special; I’ll pay the ten dollar price tag for this; this one I’ll have to do a cigar review with it; if you like barrel aged ales this is a must try

Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special 21 Reserve

Ale Matured in Whisky Casks

Harviestoun Brewery

Alva, Scotland

Harviestoun.com

8% abv

11.2oz bottle

$14.99 a bottle

Bottle No. 08461

Date bottled: April 2014

Black Ale – Oak aged

Matured in Highland Park’s beautifully balanced 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Oh boy, do I have high expectations for this brew.  15 bucks a bottle to start it better be damn great. Then, 21 year old Single Malt Scotch – I like Single Malts.  I also like Highland Park.  Let’s get on with the review.

Appearance: black is beautiful and so is the body of this ale; mahogany on the rim; half finger light tan head; legs of lacing slow drip down the glass with each sip

Aroma: creamy oats at first; light bouquet overall; swirl the glass to open it up a little; then I get a semi-sweet dark chocolate note and a hint of that Scotch; not as dramatic as I would expect

Flavors: dark grains; smooth oats; the semi-sweet dark chocolate comes through; mellow coffee; touch of Scotch on the back; pinch of sea salt;

Mouthfeel: smooth satin; low carbonation; toasted grains; light-moderate bitterness on the back; alcohol warmth on the finish;  

To the Point: I think the oats help to mellow this brew giving it that smooth silky feel; on this bottle I am not picking up any peat or smoky notes; I checked my notes on Highland Park Single Malt Scotch and I stated on the post that it had a light smoky character and light peat; as the ale warmed up I did pick up a hint of toasted vanilla bean; overall, I really liked this ale but, for 15 bucks a bottle it did not have that wow factor to me; I am not paying 15$ for very good; the Ola Dubh 16 Reserve is much better and 5 bucks less

Great Lakes Oktoberfest Review

Great Lakes Brewing Company

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Greatlakesbrewing.com

6.5% abv

20 IBUs

Appearance: a shiny reddish copper body with a one finger off white head; slim lacing left of the stein

Aroma: nice Oktoberfest style; toasted grains and caramel; little stolen bread; light Oktoberfest like spice

Flavors and Mouthfeel: light and fine carbonation feel keeping things crisp; medium body; pleasing toasted notes – grains and caramel malt; toasted buttered stolen (fruit) bread; light dry hops; classic Oktoberfest spice;  

To the Point: yes, this is a classic Oktoberfest Lager; pleasing, easy to drink, no thin spots; pick up a six pack today; skip the sausage get a plate of wiener schnitzel or sauerbraten

Goose Island Oktoberfest Review

Goose Island Beer Company

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Gooseisland.com

6.4% abv

17 IBUs

$8.99 a six pack

Westborn Market

Appearance: lightly misty reddish copper body with a one finger off white head

Aroma: light overall; little fruity; bready

Flavors and Mouthfeel: toasted caramel; light grains; stone fruit – maybe a touch of apricot and/or grilled peach; touch of generic sweetness; I am not picking up the usual Oktoberfest spice or dryness; moderate-low carbonation

To the Point: there is something about the fruity note that I just don’t like; I never like the apricot note in beer; it’s not a straight up apricot note here but, I just don’t like it all the same; a strange Oktoberfest; I’ll pass on this one all day long; 

Hawaiian Blue Marlin Dinner

Westborn Market in Livonia

$20.00 a pound

 

Used lime olive oil

I picked up a few filets the other week and this was one fine tasting fish.  I think it may be a new favorite in my book.  

Added fresh pineapple chunks

It has a firm texture.  Mild in body; and seemed to have a light citrus note.  

a fresh pineapple ring with some raspberries and asiago bread

I picked up a pound of the Blue Marlin and I prepared the fish in a pineapple coconut mango tequila sauce and I add a little ginger and a pinch of alder smoked sea salt.  I was planning to grill the fish but, it was raining so I baked it in the oven for 15 minutes and it was fantastic!

This fish is so good I went back to the store and bought a four pound chunk.

I cut the fish into 8 oz filets and put them in the freezer for future dinners.

Okay, it is so damn good I made another dinner with the Blue Marlin. I cut a slice of eggplant and added a little caramel syrup, bourbon vanilla extract and a slice of brie. I used the same pineapple mango sauce on the fish. 

You can bake, pan fry or grill this fish

Shiner Oktoberfest Review

Spoetzl Brewery

Shiner, Texas, USA

Shiner.com

5.7% abv

18 IBUs

$8.99 a six pack

12 oz bottles

Appearance: typical shiner copper body with a one finger off white head; little lacing

The brown leather chair in the background is
making the beer look darker than it is

Aroma: light nose; toasted caramel malts and light toasted bread

Flavors and mouthfeel: Oktoberfest toasted caramel taste with a nice light hoppy bitterness on the back and aftertaste; dusty white pepper; light-moderate carbonation; very dry;

To the Point: for me this is how I like my Oktoberfest beer; simple, straight to the point, pleasing and easy to drink; it is a tad thin; nothing special here just a nice Oktoberfest; now I just need an Oktoberfest sausage

Rye Hatter Review

Rye P.A.

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Cleaning out my parents house I found
this American Graffiti album

5.5% abv

52 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

$12.99

Appearance: soft hazy copper body with a one finger

Aroma: nice rye nose with a solid twist of citrus – the citrus reminds me of pink grapefruit

Flavors: pretty much follows the nose; sweet citrus meat; spicy rye; dry hop bitterness; caramel malt undertone;

Mouthfeel: lightly sweet; dry bitterness lingers on the aftertaste; low carbonation; flannel like in texture;

To the Point: I really like this Hatter; a good hearty rye p.a.; worth trying; a must try if you like rye ales; 

Black Hatter
Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

White Hatter

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

New Holland White Hatter Review

Belgian Style WPA

White Pale Ale

Well, this six pack must be old. When I drank the first bottle last week I was thinking – this is one strange tasting ale but, I was not doing a review I was just sitting back trying to enjoy a beer after work.  The next day I had another one and it was a different color than the day before. The first one was more brown; the second one was more wit like with a little brown edge to it.  Then my wife tried one and she said ‘why did you give me a sour beer?’  I tasted it and then it dawned on me about the first two that I had.  

See the brown plankton floating around

Today, I opened another one and it is brown/gold in body color with a ton of brown plankton floating around – this six pack has to be old.  This one was not as sour as the last one but, not very good anyways.  I only have one bottle left in this six pack so, I guess I am not returning it to the store.  I’ll have to water a plant with it.  

I'll have to buy another six pack to see what is up with this ale.  

Click on the links below to see the other Ales in the Hatters Series

Black Hatter
Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA

Hawaiian MoonFish Sample

Hawaiian Moonfish
Westborn Market in Livonia
$20.00 a pound

I saw this fish and I had to buy a half pound to try it.  It is a meaty fish similar to swordfish. It has a rich taste like Blue Marlin. They said it has a steak like taste on the front with a tuna taste on the finish.

I sprinkled a little Tuna Spice from the Spice Merchants in Ann Arbor.  I did not put much on for I want to get the idea of the fish itself.

I used these three different sauces to see what would work best.  It is recommended to broil, bake, saute, smoke, or steam this fish.

I poured a little of each sauce on a plate and dipped the fish into the sauce. I liked the Orange Balsamic the best followed by the Bayou Bourbon Glaze and the Apple Glaze.  I am going to do a filet of this fish with the Tuna Spice, Orange Peel and the Orange Balsamic when I can get this fish again.

You can see the meaty style of the fish in the pic below. I pan fried the filet in plain olive oil. It had a firm yet very moist texture.  I have to agree with their description of the taste of the fish.  A hint of beef steak on the front and tuna on the back; there may have been a hint of citrus in the mix.

A very tasty fish.  Real similar to swordfish in texture.  Lots of oils in the fish making it a very moist.

60 to 200 pounds

Next week: Hawaiian Blue Marlin - and this is one GREAT tasting fish. The best I have ever had.

Pecan, Coconut, Banana Pancakes

Chop some pecans up in a nut blender and add to your pancake mix. 

I added a couple of pecans to the top with a slice of Red Banana and sprinkled some coconut flakes on top. 

Use real maple syrup and enjoy a great breakfast.  

   

Black Hatter IPA Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

Black India Pale Ale

2014 Vintage

5.07% abv

67 IBUs

1pt 6oz bottle

$12.99 a bottle

Appearance: what else? It’s black with a one finger tan head that leaves some lacing on the glass

Aroma: dark roasted grains and aromatic hoppy nose – hint of floral/herbal – seems to be a hint of mineral water

Flavors: nice robust style; the dark roasted notes come through; assertive bittering from the aromatic hops;

Mouthfeel: medium-low carbonation; fine fizzy feel; firm bitterness; roasted notes early, mid, and aftertaste; lingering general bitterness;

To the Point: if you are looking for bold citrus – keep looking; nice aromatic hops with a solid robust style from the roasted grains; when the roasted grains and the aromatic hops work together Black IPAs are pretty good; they are still not a favorite in my book but, I am liking them more and more when I get a good one – and this is a very good Black IPA; 

Hatter Series – Click on the links below - (I'll add the link when posted)

White Hatter IPA
Michigan Awesome Hatter IPA

Rye Hatter IPA

Imperial Hatter IPA

Oak Aged Hatter IPA

Mad Hatter IPA