Lyons is small Colorado town located in the hilly, foothill-laden landscape that separates Boulder from Rocky Mountain National Park. It's home to back-to-the-landers, a handful of 'true' Coloradoan rancher types, a world-class bluegrass venue, and Oskar Blues. Initially a brewpub inspired by the blues joints of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta, Oskar Blues gained infamy in the brewing world for initiating what they, with no excess of humility, called the 'Canned Beer Apocalypse.'
Yes, Oskar Blues was (one of) the first craft breweries in the United States to put their beers in cans, proving that quality beer could be housed in aluminum long after it left the brewery. Old Chub is their take on a strong Scotch ale. Along with their equally exceptional pale ale, it is a strong standard-bearer for their line of excellent beers.
Old Chub pours a hazy, darkish amber with a light tan head. It mixes herbal and caramelly aromas, both of which come through in the flavor. There's a nice tea-like hop flavor that balances the juicy, sweet malt presence. The beer is certainly too hoppy to be a traditional example of its style, and it even has a mild finishing bitterness. The overall impression is not dissimilar to a malted milkshake.
Old Chub is available widely in better bottle shops in Oregon. The cans are convenient for backpacking, float, and fishing trips--easy to pack in, easy to crush, and easy to carry out. The Canned Beer Apocalypse may not be so disastrous after all...
