George Gale Prize Old Ale (Vintages through 2006)

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

2005 version. Pours opaque chocolate with a minimal head. Aroma gives toasted malt, caramel and earthy tones. Flavor features toasted malt, earthy, yeasty and caramel character. Texture presents fair body, but flat - well, after 14 years the fizz is not likely to last. Still a prize after all these years.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

1996 vintage had 3/21/13. Maybe the oldest beer I've ever had. Completely flat and maybe a hint o oxidation, but the pruniness and dark fruit is still pleasantly in the forefront of the aroma and flavor. Don't think this ever had any hops. Lightly sweet. Really not too shabby. If it weren't for the feel I'd like this quite a bit.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

1992 Vintage, corked bottle with wax seal. had some friends round over new year and this was the best of the bunch, against some stiff opposition. Deep red colour, no head, little carbonation. Just perfect though, if you cllosed your eyes, it could almost have been a Kriek. Cherry flavour initially, then sweetness then warming alcohol. Very little hop taste and definitely no aroma. 5/5 guys voted it their fave against Westy 8, Thos Hardy 1994, Courage Imp Russian Stout 1991, Good King Henry 2007, HTBC Imp Redoubt Stout. Some night - I now have to restock the cellar.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

vintage from 1996::: pours with practically no foam ... sweet and mellow, shows some gumption .. . no carbonation ... huge sherry yak aged aromas .. . very sweet, well aged, but not enough abv to make it great .. .

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Rating is on the 2007: Pours a dark reddish colour large off white head. Aroma is strong of fermented apples, oak and caramel. Taste is rich, fruity and sweet all the way through. Nice beer, cider like qualities.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Ist time i did not let it get to room temperature for a couple of hours. I was at the local capital ale house and i didn't have the time to wait. i did not really enjoy it the first time. I took one home and i followed the instructions. Cork had a vinegary aroma and the beer had no head at all. Thin mouthfeel and the appearance was a dark ruby red color. i'm enjoying the flavor. Very wine like and the alcohol is still very present. A nice sipping beer. Was better than i thought for its age. Bottled in 1996. It's definitely getting better as it warms

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

A very delicious tasting beer whose flavors evolved as the beer got to room temperature. Immediately I noticed that the cloudy hazy brown ale had no head and very little carbonation almost flat. I smelled caramel, fresh fruits and raisins intially but as I drank the beer the raisins and the winey port-like smells and flavors became more apparent. A nice beer that I would drink again.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

2001 Vintage Sampled 10/06 at the St. Louis Brews BJCP class. A very nice old ale. Deeply malty nose with oxidative notes of figs, raisins, sherry and melanoidins, very pleasing. Pours dark ruby with a tiny head that fades into legs. Creamy but light mouthfeel, coating but not sticky. Rich maltiness and dark fruits with port/sherry notes as well. A perfect dessert beer and nicely aged.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Muddy brown with a small bubbly dying head. A small archipelago of small bubbles last. Sweet and robust aroma of cherries. Vinous flavour of cherry and riped fruit. Sweet and and a bit cloiyng finish. Not good as I remember.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Thanks for scoring the 1996 bottle Staley. This one has aged nicely. A chocolate, raisin, and caramel aroma. A reddish brown appearance. Very sweet with chocolate covered cherries, molasses, and raisins. The mouthfeel was syrupy sweet. No carbonation on this one.