Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Ale

Ale’s What Cures Ya!

Strong Ale

Strong Ales are sometimes referred to as old ales, stock ales or winter warmers. These beers are higher alcohol versions (typically between 5.5-7 percent ABV) of pale ales, though not as robust or alcoholic as barley wines. Usually a deep amber color, these brews generally have a sweet malty palate and a degree of fruitiness. If bottle conditioned, strong ales can improve for several years, in some cases eventually obtaining sherry-like notes.

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

93 Traquair Aconite Ale, Traquair House Brewery (Scotland). 8% ABV (2/08)
Dark brown color. Deep spicy aromas of coriander, ginger, candied orange and sweet soy follow through to a fruity medium-full body with praline and a mélange of potpourri and baking spices. A richly spicy and fun strong ale.

93 Gordon Double Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (2/08)
Deep cooper color with a persistent, celestial mousse. Rich, delicious aromas of honeyed apricot and citrus compote, warm caramel and bright herbal hops. A rich, but silky entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body with cocoa butter, spice, dried fruit and roasted nut toast flavors. Finishes with a long, elegant interplay of creamy malt and supportive spicy/herbal hops. A delightful giant of a sipper.

92 Singleton Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 8.3% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant medium amber color thin blanket of fine foam. Aromas of orange blossom honey, spice, praline and leather follow through on a pillow, plush entry to a very fruity full body with layers of golden raisins, orange marmalade on buttered rye toast and sautéed peaches. Finishes with a long, pepper and mineral ore-accented fade with firm citrus and pine-tinged hops. A fresh and lively strong beer.

92 Samuel Adams Longshot Old Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 10.6% ABV (2/07)
Deep reddish brown color. Sweet spicy caramel and brown spice aromas follows through to a chewy, off-dry full body of buttery caramel, dried fruit and spice flavors. Finishes with a lingering, tangy citrus marmalade and toffee fade. Rich and flavorful with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.

92 Imperial Red Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 11.2% ABV (2/07)
Deep copper chestnut color. Toffee, brown sugar, nuts and spice aromas. A rich supple entry leads to an off-dry medium-full body of tangy raisins and citrus marmalade, bittersweet chocolate and mild spice flavors. Finishes with a long nutty, fruity fade. Very tasty and balanced.

92 Ard Ri Imperial Red, Upland Brewing (IN). 9% ABV (2/07)
Deep burnished copper color. Lovely dark caramel and fruit pie aromas follow through to a frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of toasted nuts, roasted grain and brown sugar. Finishes with a crisp, earthy and mildly piney hop fade with great astringency and pleasing warmth.

91 Maximus, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (2/09)
Deep reddish brown color with a wispy taupe head. Interesting aromas of molasses, coffee, pork rind, dried black cherry and bread pudding follow through of a round, velvety entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with dried currant, maple syrup and roasted nut notes. Finishes with a long molasses and licorice fade. A tasty rich and balanced strong ale.

91 Imperial Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/09)
Reddish brown color. Aromas of licorice, chocolate, bread and alcohol follow through on a soft mouthfeel with toffee and barley notes. Nice balance with a warming hop aftertaste.

91 2008 Double Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/09)
Rich amber color. Aromas of buttery, warm caramel taffy, apricot custard and mossy hops follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with brown sugar and grapefruit peel notes. Finishes with nice blend of spicy citrus hops and cream. Tasty.

90 Stegmaier Holiday Warmer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 8.1% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber copper color. Spicy cinnamon raisin toast and peach pie crust aromas. follow through on a velvety, frothy entry to a fruity medium-full body with excellent depth, balance and a refreshing mineral, brown sugar, peppercorn and candied yam fade. Nice.

89 Vintage Ale, Capital Brewery (WI). 8% ABV (2/07)
Beautiful amber color. Toffee, dried cherry and baked lemon aromas follow through to a supple chewy and fruity medium-full body of with layers of caramel, dried peaches and brown sugar. Finishes with a long caramelized citrus fade. A somewhat candied, but refreshing and sexy brew.

89 Red Ale, Otro Mundo Brewing (Argentina). 7.5% ABV (2/09)
Slightly hazy amber color. Aromas of toasted grains and caramelized macadamia nuts, floral honey and peach follow through on a soft, frothy entry to an off-dry full body with candy corn, sweet citrus and apricot compote notes and a legume and collard green note on the pepper jelly on toast finish.

89 Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7.4% ABV (3/09)
Rich copper color. Integrated aromas of caramel, toast and dried fruits follow through on a supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with roasted nuts and grain notes. Finishes with a tart, crisp fade.

85 Anniversary Ale, Willoughby Brewing Co. (OH). 10% ABV (2/08)
Orange bronze color. Rock candy, ginger gelatins and mixed fruit marmalade on Hawaiian toast aromas. A silky entry leads to a lightly effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of orange honey on raisin roast flavors with a layer of sweet spice. Finishes with quick sweet orange and peppery spice fade with lingering warmth and prickly heat. A good effort at a Belgian-style strong or triple.

Add Your Comments