Review: Oskar Blues 7th Flag Imperial Porter

s diverged, and we each started to pull out what we liked and disliked about the brew. Andre told me that Oskar Blues is a pioneering and respected brewery, and was among the first to put craft beer into a can – back in 2002. His initial reaction to the 7th Flag, which is the color of black coffee, is that it’s sweeter than most imperial porters. “That might be the bourbon influence,” he said. My less-refined beer palate found hints of espresso and chocolate. There is an underlying sweetness, I agreed, but I don’t drink enough porters to be able to know whether that’s normal or not. Andre thought he tasted cacao nibs, and that the bourbon and the beer share a similar mouthfeel: “Creamy, soft, pillowy.” He liked the beer, but thought the bourbon sweetness might have translated better if Oskar Blues had instead made a milk stout or candy stout with the barrels. Since I couldn’t tell a milk or candy stout from your average Guinness at Safeway or Publix, I was at a disadvantage here. But I liked the beer, too, and thought the finish reminded me of the nutty and rich flavors of pecan wood. There’s definitely something wood-based going on in there. Bottom line and the most important question of all: Would I bring this beer out for friends at a backyard barbecue? The answer, without hesitation, is that I would. The beer is complex and interesting, both of which I consider to be a positive. (Not everyone does.) The fact that it comes with a whiskey-related backstory, though, is what makes it a slam dunk in my book.