Try?
Beer or wine.
Grape or grain. Vino or cerveza. Which is better? It’s an age old question,
and the answer is both, and neither. Because depending on where you stand,
beer may be the preferred libation, or maybe it’s wine, or maybe you love
them both. For my part, beer will always be the beverage of choice. But
that’s a personal preference, and nothing more.
Imagine, however, the best of both worlds. A world where a choice between
beer and wine was not necessary. A world where one could enjoy both grape
and grain at the same time. Imagine no further, dear reader. Because you
already live in that world.
Just drop by your local fine beverage retailer and pick up a bottle of
O’Hanlon’s Original Ruby Stout (aka Port Stout) and you’ll see what I
mean. This isn’t just any stout. Its stout fortified with ruby port wine,
hence the name.
The practice of adding port to your stout is not a new one. The brewery,
located in Devon, England, claims that this is fairly common in Ireland.
It’s usually used there as a “hair of the dog” remedy when one has imbibed a
bit too much the night before.
It seems O’Hanlon’s is on to something here. Ruby stout has won numerous
awards over the years including:
World Beer Cup 2002 Silver Medal Irish Dry Stout
The London Drinker: Best Stout in the World
CAMRA Champion Winter Beer of Britain: Stout Gold Medal 2001
Dorchester Camra Beer Festival: Best Beer 2002
O’Hanlon’s Original Ruby Stout pours to a jet black color with a
light creamy tan head formation and a cocoa and licorice nose. The palate is
complex with a medium body and mouthfeel. A complex mix of cocoa, licorice,
and roasty espresso are immediately apparent with a pleasingly bitter grassy
hop finish that lingers nicely on the tongue after sipping.
The soft, slightly fruity port notes emerge in the finish, too, albeit very
subtly. I don’t think a lot of port is used, partly because the flavors they
impart here are so gently pronounced, but also because this is a fairly
moderate strength beer at 4.5% by volume. Still, Ruby Stout is a wonderfully
unique and delicious beer that is definitely worth seeking out.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
