Boulder Beer Co. - Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout

We travel over to Boulder, Colorado, to visit the Boulder Beer Co. and drink their Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout purchased at Vintage Estates.

Boulder Beer is Colorado's first microbrewery, established in 1979. This is an ale aged with oak, and is part of the brewery's Looking Glass series. The label boasts that that color is "as dark as deep space" and defines obovoid as "1- an ovoid with the broad end toward the apex, 2- a fun word!" It has 40 IBUs and is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.25/10

This beer is opaque with a caramelly/mocha moderately diminishing head. The aromas are coffee, oatmeal, chocolate malt, oak, some citrus, and molasses. The flavors include roasted, malty bitter chocolate, oats, and a strong coffee finish.It starts off with a front tongue bite and ends with an outside tongue bite.

Shawn- This is a balanced and well-done beer. The only flaws is that it could use more oak taste and body, but it has great drinkability, 8.75/10.
Angela- This has a good chocolate and malt taste, although I'm not a huge fan of the finish, 8/10.
Chris- I expected more from an oak-aged beer, although this is really delicious. It has the potential to be great, but I want more out of the flavors. I would love to try this on tap/on nitro, 8/10.

Left Hand - Black Jack Porter

We return to Colorado, this time to Longmont, to visit the Left Hand Brewing Co. to drink their Black Jack Porter purchased at Vintage Estates.

The ingredients are Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, malted wheat, hops and yeast. It is brewed on the banks of the mighty St. Vrain."You never know what treasures may be lurking in the darkness. Will you play the game?" It is 16 P, has 35 IBUs, and is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.5/10

This pours a deep, rich dark red with hints of copper - almost borderline maroon. It is translucent with a quickly diminishing off-white head. The aromas are a deep caramel, chocolate, and a deep roasted malt. The taste initially is of very malty coffee. The flavors are not thick or long-lasting; there is just a slight lingering on the tongue. The guys also taste a touch of white pepper (perhaps some peppercorns are added in the brewing process?).

Shawn- This came after porter week, and it is an easy drinking dark beer. It doesn't possess the body and developed flavors of a porter, im ny opinion, 5.5/10.
Angela- This is a little thin for me, although it's not bad, I just wish it was more developed, 5.5/10.
Chris- I have been impressed by different porters, but this leaves something to be desired as far as the porter style, 5.5/10.

Fort Collins Brewery - The Kidd Lager

"Looks dark, drinks blonde"

Our next stop is Fort Collins, Colorado, at the Fort Collins Brewery. Their The Kidd Lager was purchased at Vintage Estates.

"A hint of smoked malt compliments [sic] chocolate malt in this Schwarzbier. Experience the Kidd's intriguing aroma and complex flavor as you enjoy this remarkable style of beer." This has about 24 IBUs and is about 4.5% ABV.


Overall average rating: 7.4/10


This beer is a translucent dark copper color with a quickly diminishing caramelly head. The aroma is of chocolate malt, caramel, and slight smoke. "This is one of the maltier smelling beers we've had so far" -Chris. The taste is thin with a front tongue bite, but has flavors of coffee, chocolate, and smoke with a slight hop finish.


Shawn- This beer smells fantastic, like Gonzo Imperial Porter. The taste is fairly spot on with the aroma, but it lacks boday, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is very delicious, though not as complex as I'd like. It is very fitting to the "looks dark, drinks blonde" description, 7.75/10.
Chris- This is a good representation of a Schwarzbier. It has crisp flavors that developed and aren't muddled, but I wish the flavors were richer, 7/10.

Tommyknocker - Golden Saison Belgian Style Ale

Our next stop is Idaho Springs, Colorado, at the Tommyknocker Brewery to taste their Golden Saison Belgian Style Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is a "bright golden, effervescent brew that is slightly tart with a pleasantly spicy aroma created by a special blend of 4 Belgian style yeasts, and Perle hops." It is brewed in the winter for summer refreshment and comes straight from the brewpub. It is 5% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.25/10

It pours a cloudy dirty blonde with a slow to diminish, thick white head. The aromas are of wheat, barley, citrus, and banana. There is a front tongue bite with a sweet, robust flavor. We get Belgian yeast, citrus, and wheat.

Shawn- This has a light, beautiful flavor, although it lack depth and complexity, in my opinion, 7/10.

Angela- This is another good, crisp summer beer. The citrusy bite makes me think it would be a good appetizers beer, 7.25/10.

Chris- This is the closest beer I've tasted to an actual Belgian beer from an American brewery, 7.5/10.