Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Old Ale

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

Dec. 2016: 355 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.6%. Reddish brown colour, small off-white head. Aroma of malts, oak, dark dried fruits, caramel, vinous notes. The medium sweet flavour has the same elements as the aroma. Slightly warming mouthfeel. Good stuff.

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

Hard to say, but not THAT much better than the regular Not So Old Brown Dog. This is stronger, richer flavor, but stronger not always better. The bite is a little sharp at first, but the malt come out at the end with some slight hop to finish it off. Appearance is medium cloudy brown with an off-white head. Enjoyable, but sort of forgetable.

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

Pours a clear, dark coppery brown, almost mahogany, with a very thick, if not too persistent, pale tan head. Strong aroma has a malty core and a yeasty overtone plus hints of apple, caramel and cloves. Scrumptious flavor has firm malty and yeasty notes plus tones of cloves, caramel and apple. It has a bit of an alcohol-like bite - and it's only 7%? According to the Smuttynose website, it's 10.9% - at least for 2010; my bottle dates from 2012. Texture has average body but is quite lively and fizzy, leaving behind a persistent tingle on the tongue and lips. This dog will have your taste buds barking with joy!

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

A great beer for a very good price. Mahogany colored body. A big off white head rises robustly above. There's great hang time. Settles eventually into a thick ringlet and light splotches of film. Fruity, grassy notes in a full bodied, smooth ale. Very nice inded!

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

I've sampled a few of the bottles from the 2010 release (10.9% abv) this past year, and it's a wonderful beer I keep coming back to. A very sturdy stock ale containing copious amounts of dark berries and rich vinous accents that accentuate the robust chocolate and burnt malt body. Full bodied but not thick, instead it's moderately sweet and extremely soothing. A rich and nutty after effect leading into notes of toffee, vanilla and even a hint of cherry. Most everything is near perfection except for the aroma which is pleasant yet offers up a slight metallic twang that I've never found too appealing. I believe this may be from a large amount of crystal malt which I enjoy the flavor of, but not necessarily the aroma. Give and take, push and pull it's still a high quality Old Ale of the finest kind.

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

This review is for the 2009 version. A cloudy reddish-brown pour with a generous off-white head. Aroma is full of roasted malt, caramel, oak, and some floral hops. The flavour is 'dry' with smoky wood coming through.

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

Pours ruby red brown with an OK head. Noticeable suspension. Toasted aroma. Mouthfeel has a nice bite to it. Flavor is dark fruit, malty, sweet. Decent.

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

Bottle: Poured a clear light brown color ale with a nice size foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of fruity ester is quite enjoyable with some light caramel malt. Taste is a nice mix between some fruity ester (peach, apricot) and some caramel malt. Additional notes of dry fruit and more pronounced presence of sweet malt would have made this more enjoyable. Carbonation is good with an average body and no noticeable alcohol.

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

A really nice stock ale. Well above average in every respect and a true pleasure to drink. A deep brown color with a smallish to medium head and fair lacing.

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

Pint at Rustico's New Year's Eve Firkin Fest, hand-pulled from a cask. This was a mighty impressive offering. Only my desire to work through the entire firkin catalog that night prevented my ordering round after round of this fine ale. Cloudy amber brown with an inch-high head and sticky lace. Aroma is a not unpleasant assault on the nose: like walking into an apothecary with myriad subtle scents. The flavor is malty, sweet, and rich, and the mouthfeel is full, smooth, and satisfying. Alcohol is well-hidden behind the molasses-like flavors that linger in the aftertaste. The intriguing complexities of this ale were certainly accentuated by the ideal serving temp of about 56 degrees. This well-made and well-presented ale is highly recommended.