The Barrels and Mash crew had a good time hanging out with the Vanessa House crew at OCBF, and realized we hadn’t reviewed any of their beers yet. I decided on the lactose infused brown ale, 5th Keg. This one was a fan favorite at the last OCBF and these guys have come a long way since then, with several beers out and taking their place on the Oklahoma craft beer scene.
Company: Vanessa House Beer Co.
Location: Oklahoma City, OK., brewed by O’Fallon Brewery in Missouri
ABV: 8.0%
Style/Description: Brown Ale
Price: $2.29 for a 12 oz bottle
Appearance: Pours a deep ruby, almost opaque, with a light head and slight lace.
Nose: Nice bouquet of roasty aromas. Biscuity toasted malts, sweet caramel and some light coffee notes.
Taste: Aroma telegraphs the flavor here, with all the sweet bready flavors you hope for from a brown ale. Caramel and brown sugar, biscuits and roast, vanilla and espresso. Moderate mouthfeel, somewhat thin body and mild carbonation. I think this would benefit from a bit more carbonation, to cut the creaminess of the lactose.
Finish: Finishes sticky and sweet, with a slight metallic off flavor. A hint of warming alcohol as well.
Overall: Nice beer, and a style that I enjoy that I feel is under represented in craft beer. Plenty of tasty flavors in here, reminds me of baked goods and a nice latte.
Rating: 3.5/5