It grows cold outside. Dark beers are required.

So what with everyone getting hype about oktoberfest and pumpkin-y beers, I decided to buck the trend.  I decided that beer wasn't enough for me anymore.  I had to go deeper.  I had to drink used engine oil.

Harveiestoun's Old Engine Oil.  I've heard of this one prior to seeing it in San Jose (shout out to Boynton Liquors for having an amazing variety of beer despite outwardly looking like a standard liquor store) so when I noticed it on the shelf, I had to grab one.

First off, it says "Black Ale" but tastes like a stout or porter.  So there's that.  It says 6% alcohol, but tastes like more than that.

This is one of those beers that goes down pretty quick, has a decently harsh aftertaste, but finishes dry.  You can actually taste a little bit of roast grain in there somehow... Everyone says it tastes chocolatey, but  I'm catching hella harsh dark dark dark chocolate.  This isn't the kind of beer you can drink quick.  Or rather, you probly shouldn't.

It has interesting flavor and aftertaste, and it really reminds me of some of the red wines I've drank because it's making me salivate as I write this.  (Or is that a personal problem...).  I can also taste the alcohol, which is a bit of a turn off for me.  Hmmm... if I close my eyes and drink it, I can almost envision a stout being squeezed out of a ball of asphalt with added burnt grains.  Heh.

Would I get it again?  for a 11.2 oz bottle that's over 5 bucks, probably not.  I get that it's a small batch beer from Scotland and that it has flavor, but I can think of way cheaper beers that come in larger quantities and are better in other ways.  BUT I LIKE THE MOUSE ON THE BOTTLE!  ...damn smug rodent.