63. Boulder Beer Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout

Our second beer from Boulder Brewing Company in Boulder, CO. If you at home reading this are a betting person, I wouldn't bet this would be our last Boulder Beer. Well, unless you want to be wrong.

Obovoid has a opaque reddish-black color with a thin lacy tan head, and a rich roasted barley nose with hints of vanilla and coffee. It starts creamy without evident sweetness before moving into burnt malt and chocolate, and finishes with roasted and burnt bitterness. The chocolate flavor and aroma increases as the beer warms. The mouthfeel is slick and dry—there is tannic bite from the oak as well as some slight amounts of creaminesss in the body. The tannic astringency lingers on the tongue, along with a touch of vanilla. Alcohol warmth develops as beer warms. Overall, a nicely balanced, thoroughly enjoyable beer.

From the Boulder Beer website: “Brewed with an abundance of black and chocolate malts. Then aged on oak to add an earthy character, Obovoid is a rich smooth stout with a creamy, off-white head. Limited release available October-December.”

ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 40
Grains: Malt, 80L Caramel Malt, Roasted Barley, Black Malt, Chocolate Malt, Rolled Oats
Hops: UK Progress, US Cascade, UK Fuggle

There was also some commentary about the name on the bottle, primarily about Obovoid being a fun word to say (which it is), but the bottle got pitched before I could type it up. Alas.

(9/1/2009)