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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Ale

Ale’s What Cures Ya!

Barrel-Aged Ales

Any classic or hybrid top fermenting ale that has spent time in a new or used Sherry, bourbon, Scotch, port, wine, or other barrels to impart the specific flavors of the chosen wood or liquid that was contained previously to the ale. The intention of barrel ageing is to create a more unusual and complex ale from the marriage of liquid and wood, while maintaining a balance of flavor, mouthfeel and aroma. Color ranges from deep golden to deep mahogany and alcohol can range anywhere from 6 to 9 percent or higher, depending on the initial style of the ale.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

90 Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Alltech Lexington Brewing (KY). 8% ABV (3/09)
Brilliant golden amber orange color. Bold aromas of butter-sautéed coconut shavings and dried apricots follow through on a round, zesty entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with almond nougat and crème brûlée notes. Finishes with a long butter cream and delicate spice fade with a touch of citrusy hops. A fun, super-flavorful barrel-aged ale that will go well with desserts like chocolate and pineapple upside down cake.

86 Ebenezer’s Ale, Upstream Brewing Co. (NE). 9% ABV (2/07)
Deep brown color with a reddish tint. Sharp spice bag and sweet mint leaf aromas follow through to a frothy, dryish medium-full body of cinnamon bark, clove and nutmeg flavors with a medicinal verbena edge. Finishes with notes of cocoa, minerally sea salt and caramel amid the river of spices.

84 Hoppy Marriage, Upstream Brewing Co. (NE). 6.8% ABV (2/07)
Slight hazy, rich amber color. Sweet pickle and vanilla frosting aromas. A big entry leads to a very tangy full-body of buttery vanilla nut fudge, sweet pickles and beets and toffee flavors. Finishes with a tangy orange marmalade, honey butter and pickling spice fade. Curiously flavored, but in need of refinement and balance as this verges on cloying.

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