Tag: old Ale

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Review – Beer of the Month Club – Rare Beers

It is always good to get a box of beer in the mail and in these times of unopened taprooms, it is a safer way to get your beer to you and then if you want something that not everyone can get? Well then you really should take a look at the Rare Beer Club. The two beers that I received came with a full story on the brewery and the beer as well as an extra tidbit of info on beer in general. And for the beers, if the photo did not pique your interest, maybe the reviews below will.

17 – Pours a jet black color with dark brown bubbles around the rim. The mint is shy at first but as the beer warms really dials up. Chocolate lies underneath the mint as a subtle counterpoint. It really tastes like a mint chip ice cream even without any lactose. 

Righteous Son – I want to say sweetness at first but the better word pairing is rustic caramel.  There is a slight bourbon undertone but instead of being a featured performer it is more background. There is a pleasant mustiness here. English meets restrained America. Aroma has a leather quality to it.  A Sunday sipper.

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Featured Review – Third Coast Ale from Bell’s

The final beer in our featured brewery for the month is Third Coast Ale from Bell’s Brewery in Michigan. And it is the most disappointing of the trio.

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When cold this old ale has pungent notes of strawberry jam on the tongue and if you attempt to avoid that sweetness, the warm beer is kind of metallic and off-tasting with a load of heavy bitterness to it.  I have had this both on tap and in bottles to make sure that it wasn’t just a bad batch but it is nothing if not consistent.  Stick with Smitten or the Northwestern Pale or go-to the go-to of Two Hearted.

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23 Years is Old


Wow. Karl Strauss has been around for 23 years. That is amazing. And breweries do well with anniversaries. A lot of great beers are made for the yearly celebration. Like this one….

“The 23rd Anniversary Old Ale was aged for 12 months in American oak barrels and is the first Karl Strauss barrel-aged beer to be offered unblended. It’s loaded with complex layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, and toasted oak. A pronounced warming bourbon flavor contributes to the beer’s 12.2% alcohol content—making this strong ale an ideal after dinner sipper or accompaniment to desserts like bread pudding. The company only bottled 413 cases of this beer, encouraging fans to enjoy one now and lay another down several years. “This beer is only going to get better with age,” says brewer Segura. “As time passes, the bourbon character will mellow and more of the dried fruit and vanilla flavors will come out.”

The 23rd Anniversary Old Ale will be available on tap at all six Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurants and select beer bars across Southern California, beginning February 2, 2012

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LongShot

This is my favorite Sam Adams beer release of each year, hands down. Each year it’s dramatically different and you get a wide style variety from a mere 3 different beers.
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Here is the pertinent information…..
“The 2010 Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack will be available nationwide in select retail stores beginning in April for a suggested retail price of $9.99. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Michael Robinson’s Old Ale, Ben Miller’s Barleywine, and Jeremy White’s Saison.

ABOUT THE WINNERS AND 2010 CONTEST

Michael Robinson’s Old Ale is a malty English-style brew boasting notes of dried fruit, nut, and caramel. A slight bitterness balances the combination of five malts in this full bodied beer. Light brown with reddish highlights and good clarity, the ingredients of this English-style brew are all American with the exception of the yeast which is distinctively English. Created to enjoy on cold nights or as an after dinner treat, Mike’s Old Ale is 9% alcohol by volume, about twice that of the average beer. An experienced homebrewer, Mike was recognized as a finalist in the 2008 Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest, as well as in the 2007 Samuel Adams® Patriot Homebrew Contest.

Ben Miller’s Barleywine is a dark red, flavorful brew with rich plum undertones to complement its caramel malt flavor. A self-proclaimed ‘hop head,’ Ben used several varieties of citrusy American hops in this beer, creating its resiny aroma followed by clean bitterness. Ben’s Barleywine is his 100th homebrew, brewed to commemorate two years of enjoying the hobby.

Jeremy White, who works in the IT department at Samuel Adams, channeled his love of Belgian beers to create his Saison, a classic Belgian-style brew. Jeremy’s flavorful, refreshing and lighter-bodied beer is brewed with Grains of Paradise, an exotic tropical spice also found in Samuel Adams Summer Ale. The peppery flavor is complemented by a slightly sweet aroma with hints of vanilla and citrus.”

The Old Ale sounds tempting.

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Kris Kringle – Day 10

Papa Noel’s Olde Ale
“This holiday ale was brewed in the English ‘old ale’ style, a
traditional strong ale style that is sometimes called a ‘winter
warmer.’ The warmth comes from the alcoholic strength of the
beer, which weighs in at about 7.2% by volume. It is an attractive
dark copper-brown hue and is extremely full-bodied. Papa Noel’s
has a pleasing sweetness from its higher-than-normal alcoholic
content, and from its complex malt foundation.This sweetness is
balanced by a hint of roasted flavor, as well as a mellow bitterness
imparted by a generous amount of English Fuggle hops. Other
flavors in evidence are bittersweet chocolate, caramel, and toffee.
Papa Noel’s Olde Ale is the perfect brew to warm the body and
nourish the soul during the cold and wet holiday season. Cheers!”
Link to ALAMEDA
papa noel