Oggi's 1492 Discovery Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

One of the many fine Limited Edition beers offered up to our little group by Tom Nickels at O'Brien's. Between this fine American Strong Ale, his awesome 1701 Barleywine, multiple outstanding Belgian beers, and a wide array of Russian River brews, it was indeed a very night!

This beer (which won a Bronze at the 2000 State Fair/Brewer's Guild competition) fits somewhere between a Barleywine and a Strong Ale. While it may be a tedious and perhaps fruitless exercise trying to pidgeon-hole the style of this beer, it's much easier to note that it's simply a very nice sipping ale!

A very dark, almost black body supports a thin layer of slightly tan-colred foam, with Belgian lace making it's appearence here and there as things progress. A heavy toffee-like aroma in the nose, with hints of raisins. And since this is a Tom Nickel creation, hops are definately very-much in the equation from the get-go.

The same, and more, can be said for the Flavor profile. This is a big beer -- make no mistake about that. But kinda falls into the same category as Stone's Arrogant Bastard, if the alcohol was raised up a notch or three. Slightly sweet, slightly bitter, with a more-than-slight amount of alcohol, but in a plesant and unobtrusive way, of course. Finishes clean, with no cloyingness whatsoever.

One of the many big-ass Tom Nickels beers that deserve to see the light of day more often. Be on the lookout for his many fine strong brews at the San Diego Strong Ale `Fest each December. Highly recommended.
//TB