Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 8 Review

Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Co. | Beer: Divine Reserve 8
Style: Strong Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy | ABV: 9.3% | IBUs: ~25
Serving Method: 12 oz. bottle poured into tulip glass

Saint Arnold's single batch Divine Reserve series has become the stuff of legend here in Houston. There are no set rules for the series and it's proven to be quite the opportunity for experimentation, so it's always a bit of a surprise when the newest release is announced. Previous releases include an Imperial Stout, a pair of Barleywines, a Double IPA, a Quadruppel, and a dark Weizenbock.

Divine Reserve 8 is the second Strong Scotch Ale in the series, but the recipe is all new. It was inspired by homebrewer Phillip Kaufman’s winning entry in the 2009 Big Batch Brew Bash. Philip purchased many of his ingredients from Brew-It Yourself, the same store I use for my homebrewing supplies and ingredients, which really gives me the itch to dust off the brew kettle.

As for the version that hit the shelves, the malt backbone is composed of a mix of 2-Row, Biscuit, Dark Crystal, Amber, Peated, Caramunich and Wheat varieties while Hallertau Tradition hops are added early in the process and Hallertau Hersbruckers are added towards the end. A traditional Scotch Ale yeast is employed and the beer is unfiltered.

Here's how Saint Arnold describe the resulting brew:

The taste opens with sweet malt and spice, then the alcohol comes up with a light residual sweetness on the finish. A balanced smoky flavor is in this beer from start to finish, although it never is the dominant character.

Unfortunately, not everyone was able to get their hands on DR8. Despite this being the biggest batch of the Divine series thus far at just over 1500 cases, many seekers went home empty handed. The current brewery simply doesn't allow for more Divine series to be brewed without cutting into the production of other Saint Arnold beers. Until the move to the new brewery takes place, it appears demand will surpass supply.

Appearance: A murky, nearly opaque orange-brown body capped by about a finger of tan head that dissipates in a minute or so and leaves little in the way of lacing.

Aroma: Rich caramel malt accompanied by lots of booze and lovely smoky notes.

Taste: A complex malt body with lots of toffee, caramel, and brown sugar notes. There's a subdued peaty smokiness throughout, adding lots of character. The alcohol content is reigned in masterfully, leaving just the right amount to add depth without ever getting in the way. It's bitter and smoky in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: A medium-full body with good carbonation and a little warmth from alcohol.

Drinkability: Certainly a beer meant to be savored, though not a full-blown sipper.

Verdict: Divine Reserve 8 is a solid example of the Strong Scotch Ale style, something that's sorely lacking on the shelves here in Houston. Hopefully now with two Scotch Ales from the Divine series under their belts, Saint Arnold will brew one up on a more regular basis. I'm looking forward to how this release ages and evolves over the years.

Grade: A-

Oskar Blues Old Chub Review

Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery | Beer: Old Chub
Style: Strong Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy | ABV: 8.0%
Serving Method: 12 oz. can poured into pint glass

After reviewing Doggie Style a couple of posts ago, I figured it would be appropriate to review another beer with a sexually suggestive name. After searching my fridge, I decided that Oskar Blues' Old Chub certainly fit the bill. Like all Oskar Blues brews, Old Chub is sold in a traditional twelve-ounce aluminum can. I don't see why more craft-brewers don't utilize the humble can. With today's cans, there are no undesired effects on the beer itself and they offer the advantage of blocking all light (light is what skunks beer). On a couple of practical notes, cans can be brought into public areas where bottles are outlawed and fit much better in your fridge. Thus allowing you to keep more beer chilled without pissing off your wife (any further, at least).

Old Chub is a Scottish Ale, a style characterized by long boil times (leading to caramelization), a sparing use hops (they don't grow well in Scotland), and generous amounts of malt. There are four different grades of Scottish Ale, based on alcohol content: Light (under 3.5% ABV), Heavy (3.5 to 4% ABV), Export (4.0 to 5.5% ABV) & Wee Heavy (anything above Export). At a stout eight percent alcohol by volume, this beer safely clocks in as a Wee Heavy. It sounds just like something from a Mike Meyers movie. Appropriate considering that underneath the canned on date on the bottom of the can, the phrase "Head! Pants! Now!" appears. Major bonus points.

Oskar Blues describes this beer as being "brewed with hearty amounts of seven different malts, including crystal and chocolate malts, and a smidge of US and UK hops. Old Chub also gets a dash of beechwood-smoked grains imported from Bamburg, Germany, home of the world's greatest smoked beers." I have to say, I'm quite intrigued.

Appearance: Dark mahogany-brown with brilliant ruby highlights. On top, a finger-high, toffee-colored head that disappears quickly that leaves moderate lacing that looks great while it lasts.

Aroma: Right off the bat, Old Chub is all about malt. Complex, sweet, and smokey with rich booze on the edges. Appetizing, to say the least.

Taste: Peaty, smokey, and nutty malt with lots of alcohol is what this beer is all about. There are also juicy and sweet fruit notes that poke through every so often. Hops are all but silent, while the aftertaste is of dry and boozy caramelized sugar. I have to say, Old Chub reminds me more of a good Single Malt Scotch than anything I've come across in the beer world yet.

Mouthfeel: Thick and chewy, yet slick with a very dry aftertaste. Alcohol makes its presence known in the mouth with a pleasant warmth. Carbonation is moderate, as it should be.

Drinkability: Like Scotch, this definitely something worth savoring. If you're putting down a six-pack of this in an evening, you're a better man than I.

Verdict: Old Chub is a complex beer that really showcases the Scottish style of brewing while demanding your full attention. If you've never tried a Scottish Ale and are looking for somewhere to start, you could do a lot worse than choosing this. Please don't be thrown off by the can, this is world class beer.

Grade: A