Old Ale

Old Ale

357 beers | 3.732 Avg Score

As their name implies, old ales are typically stocked or stored for long periods of time before consumption, the latter which traditionally involved blending the old ale with another "fresh" beer like a mild ale or bitter. Old ales could be viewed as strong mild ales that fall out somewhere in between strong bitters or brown porters and English barleywines. They are normally dark amber to deep brown in color with a head that may or may not impress (due to the age and relatively low carbonation). The style builds on several remaining unfermented sugars to offer chewy malty flavors (caramel, toffee, vinous, nuts, molasses, even light chocolate or roasted flavors and fruitiness), a firm and warming alcohol presence, and relatively low hop levels (especially after aging). Additionally, these beers can often take on oak, oxidized, and sour or lactic flavors after aging.

Beer | Location Reviews Score
Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Old Ale
NH, United States
12
3.686
Harviestoun Ola Dubh 40 Year Special Reserve
United Kingdom
10
4.077
Samuel Adams Long Shot Old Ben Ale
MA, United States
10
3.531
Portland Benchmark Old Ale
OR, United States
10
3.685
Coniston Old Man Ale
United Kingdom
8
3.109
Cigar City Warmer Winter Winter Warmer
FL, United States
8
3.655
Arcadia Big Dicks Olde Ale
MI, United States
7
3.110
Lancaster Winter Warmer
PA, United States
7
3.500
The Bruery Cuir
CA, United States
7
3.770
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Engineer's Reserve
United Kingdom
6
3.778
McNeills Old Ringworm
VT, United States
5
3.488
Box Steam Dark & Handsome
United Kingdom
5
3.238
Founders Kaiser Curmudgeon
MI, United States
5
3.638
The Bruery Coton
CA, United States
5
3.638
AleSmith Barrel Aged Decadence (2005)
CA, United States
5
3.675
Shed Brewery Mountain Ale
VT, United States
5
3.425
Jack Russell Olde Ale Winter Warmer
CA, United States
4
2.986
Durham Evensong
United Kingdom
4
3.329
Drake's Apple Brandy Barrel Olde Ale
CA, United States
4
3.343
Marston's Owd Roger
United Kingdom
4
3.429