Courtesy Huntsvillebeer.com
Profiled by Ken Carman for Professor Good Ales
Definitely has the nose of an Old Ale with carmelize malt up front and a sense of “aged.” Creamy head that fades fast. A bit dark for an Old Ale. Probably at least high 20s on SRM scale, which is a bit off the scale according to BJCP standards. No hops in nose: expected. Nice ruby highlights barely shine through. It is a little dark for the style. Nice pillow head.
Taste: caramelized malt up front, oaky elements and hint of Brazilnut-like taste yet: hint of malt sweet. Quite complex, malt-wise:especially when it comes to caramelized malts. Hops addition to the mix not worth the mention, as expected.
4.39 at Beer Advocate (before I added my comments) 92 @ Rate Beer.
While not listed as “barrel aged,” it tastes barrel aged and a little oak-y.
The mouthfeel is a bit slippery and malt full. Carmelized malt caries through to the Mouthfeel.
I have yet to have a BAD Straight to Ale beer.
11 plus abv? That’s just a tad high for an Old Ale according to BJCP guidelines, but the beauty is: you’d never know. That’s talent.
This goes down well, smooth, yet is a tad dangerous due to abv. A hint of sweet malt balances it out well. If I were having this in a pub in England, Wales or Scotland I would think I had returned to the home of my ancestor’s fav brews. While “technically” I could take it down a peg for very slight overage in SRM and abv, but I won’t because when it comes to the experience: can’t say anything neg about it. Beer, while the technical normally counts, should be rated for the experience first and foremost, at least outside competition. If with an experience this incredible I am willing to forgo the technical: especially when so very, very minor points as slightly higher abv and SRM. So once again a Straight to Ale beer gets…
