Oakshire Brewing O'Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale

Oakshire Brewing, in a playful nod to the aforementioned, ongoing debate as to what to call the new breed of highly hopped, darkly malted ales, adds the subtitle "AKA Black IPA" to it's Spring seasonal release Oakshire Brewing O'Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale.

Oakshire Brewing O'Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale was a deep, hazy brown in the glass (too dark to detect carbonation) with a thick, creamy tan head.  The nose was subtle but dominated by dark chocolate, lavender, and hints of espresso.

Oakshire Brewing O'Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale opened bright and floral, but quickly mellows into a milky, chocolate middle; slightly sweet with an almost chalky mouth feel and barely detectable bitterness.  The ale ended on a nice linger of sweet (but not too sweet) milk chocolate and citrus rind.

Oakshire Brewing O'Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale leans more on the chocolate stout end of the spectrum than IPA (sort of the opposite of HUB Secession Cascadian Dark Ale), being both less hoppy and carbonated with more emphasis on a smooth, chocolate malt body.  It brings a heaviness that takes it out of the running for an "IPA-a-like" substitute, but certainly not out of the running for a great, dessert-like beer with some NW hop character.

Oakshire Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale

Oakshire Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale, a winter seasonal offering from Oakshire Brewing in Eugene, OR, poured a cola color into the glass, capped with a barely-there white head.  Notes of roasted grain and mild coffee notes led the nose.


Oakshire Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale opened with a bright, if unflavored, hop start.  The opening dryness took on darkening roasted notes with a touch of bitterness that only revealed itself in the fade.  Lighter and slightly hoppier than a porter with a malt-centric profile too up front to be a CDA, this winter ale was better off being enjoyed without trying to figure out a style.