Old Dominion Brewing Company - Oak Barrel Stout

Oak Barrel Stout is one of the darkest beers we’ve seen in a while. This baby is completely opaque and offers up an inviting, rich, dark head. On the nose, we found the vanilla beans with which it was “dry-hopped” to be very apparent, along with a semi-sweet chocolate character. There’s also a prominent roasty, smoky quality, along with an underlying caramel sweetness and a wisp of graham cracker. On the palate look for an oaky woodiness to be prominent throughout as it intertwines with the smoky, charred, but not overly bitter malts. The hop contribution is subtle but earthy, while vanilla notes well up on the mid-palate, and the overall combination of flavors creates a bourbon-like impression at some points. Finishes quite dry with an herbal hop note, a touch of vanilla, and a light bitterness in the fade. Pairing possibilities include brie with chocolate; a dark, flavorful bread with creamy, aged Stilton; or shellfish, such as oysters or clams.

Though Old Dominion Brewing Company began life in 1989, the passion behind the company goes back much farther.  Founder Jerry Bailey’s path to professional brewing began at Christmas of 1978 when he received a homebrewing kit from his brother Tom.  Over the subsequent years, Jerry developed his brewing talents making beer for himself and his friends.  By the late 80’s, Jerry, who was working for the federal government in the Washington, D.C. area, began to feel restless with his official vocation and desired something more out of life.  When his friends suggested he start a brewpub, Jerry knew immediately this was the path he would follow.  After doing considerable research and developing a business plan, he began to search for a home for his new brewery, eventually choosing a site in Loudoun County, VA, in the D.C. metro area.  In celebration of the brewery’s home in Virginia, he chose “Old Dominion” as its name and the whitetail deer (a common sight throughout the state) as its iconic symbol.

When Old Dominion Brewing Company opened for business in 1989, it found immediate success as the first microbrewery in the Washington, D.C. area during a time when the craft beer movement was still very much in its youth.  They soon had the support of a very loyal customer base among the local population, and as more and more Old Dominion beer flowed to local pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets, that following continued to expand.  In the years since their opening, Old Dominion has been well-recognized within the brewing industry for their excellent products, winning over a dozen medals at the Great American Beer Festival, and being ranked among the 50 best breweries in the US by Fortune magazine in 1995 and one of the five best in the US by Smart Money in 2000.  In 2007, Jerry Bailey passed ownership on to an equally passionate beer lover, Bill Muehlhauser.  After outgrowing the capacity of the original brewery, Old Dominion was relocated to a larger and very modern facility in Dover, DE where they continue to offer the same excellent beers and are well positioned to grow as this country’s beer renaissance drives more and more people to the good stuff.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, visit www.olddominion.com or call 302-678-4810.