A name that conjures up images of grime-smeared workmen, walking heavy-footed to the pub after a long day toiling in the mill, workshop or garage. But a beer that even the most critical of boozehounds can't fail to love.
There's so much right with Old Engine Oil that it's hard to find anything wrong, it ticks all the boxes from the rich and earthy aroma to the subtle flavours right through to the aftertaste.
Winning the inaugural Tesco Beer Challenge back in 2000, Old Engine Oil was designed to be thicker than other beers. Using an excess of oats and mashing at high temperature makes its consistency almost match it's name. It almost needs to be scooped out of the bottle.
OLD ENGINE OIL: TASTE TEST
When you open the bottle the first thing that you sense is the woody, earthy aroma of the hops, lending the beer a richness that makes your mouth water before you've even touched a drop.
The pour is dense but releases more of that gorgeous richness and a hint of smokiness that could come from the high-temperatures involved in the brewing process.
The flavour is creamy and surprisingly light given the heaviness of the beer in the bottle and in the glass, but it's still full of flavour and tastes subtly sweet which would be due to the dark chocolate and buttered toffee; although it's not overpowering.
In the aftertaste there is a boozy-sweetness that is very similar to the aftertaste a single malt leaves, but not as strong.
OLD ENGINE OIL: BOTTLE NOTES
An angry-looking mouse wielding a spanner and spinning a bolt nut on his finger like a basketball. A very strong look and I love it.
The design is a classic shield-style design with Harviestoun Brewery bannered across the top and the name across the middle, but it's the wee pipsqueak in the middle that steals the show.
I really like that it's styled itself as 'black ale' rather than a porter/stout; it gives it an element of authenticity and heritage. But mainly, the mouse.
If you want to get your hands on this to keep your engine running smoothly, then you can get it at Honest Brew for just £2.58 for members (£2.79 for non-members). Pretty sure that's cheaper than Castrol.
