Vintage Ale
Capital Brewery

Vintage AleVintage Ale
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From:
Capital Brewery
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
English Strong Ale
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.76 | pDev: 13.03%
Reviews:
55
Ratings:
57
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 21, 2018
Added:
Nov 17, 2006
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by dirtylou:
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz single, Riley's

appearance: poured into wine glass...light copper body with a shiny glow to it...beige film with some light lacing

smell: metallic, boozy, lots of sweetness, light bitterness

taste: This beer didnt really surprise me...boozy and sweet and lightly metallic in a very nature specific to Capital. interesting complexities and dangerously boozy. interesting enough for a try

mouthfeel: thick and sweet, smooth

drinkability: aight
Dec 17, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.76 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Nov 21, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by brandoman63 from Illinois

Nov 28, 2011
Photo of seeswo
Reviewed by seeswo from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Last brewed in 2006, this beer has been cellaring for quite a while. Big shout out to Jason who hooked me up with this. I first had Vintage Ale at the Vintage in Madison and was just freaking out about how good it was. Unfortunately, it was discontinued and I never got another stab at it - until now.

This beer is just as I remember it - dangerously delicious (8.5% ABV). It's rather sweet, and would not work as a session beer but there is something dry in the finish that helps balance this a bit. I don't really know how to describe the taste - maybe like a mega weiss beer? The category "Belgian strong ale" loosely means, "it's strong?" Whatever - it is really good.

It's great and I wish it would come back. Glad I got another chance to taste it.
Dec 15, 2010
Photo of coldmeat23
Reviewed by coldmeat23 from Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
GLASS: Sam Adams Perfect Pint Glass
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 55 degrees

This is a medium copper/amber color with some light golden highlights around the outer edges. A this head of fizzy foam appears and quickly dissipates, leaving slight surface patching. Lacing is good, but very slick.

This smells like a bushel of very ripe apples with a ton of raisins thrown in. Sweet, rich maltiness. Notes of brown sugar and english butter toffee. Very slight metallic notes.

The big, rich malt notes are right out front, as far as flavor goes. The apples and golden raisins are much more well balanced here. Golden brown sugar with very light traces of a pecan-like nuttiness, remeniscent of the top of a pecan pie. Great bread-like yeastiness.
The presence of metal is completely forgotten.

Medium body on this one with a mild-to-light level of carbonation. It is extremely smooth and has a tiny bit of creaminess, which is nice.
A touch on the thin side, I think, but still good.

The nose had me a little bit concerned that maybe this one had gone too long. The taste brought me right back around, though. Very tasty, indeed. The 8.50%abv is not detected in the taste or nose but does provide a nice warming effect.
Mar 22, 2010
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This bottle is almost 4 years old, so take that for what it's worth.
Time hasn't treated this bottle so well, but it's not terrible.

Crystalline amber, a skim forms quickly and fades, leaving an almost still beverage. It looks more like an old ale, or barleywine. A few lazy bubbles escape to the surface.

Smells like an old English ale, musty and stale. Lightly sweet and bready, hints of what used to be toffee and fruit, now faded.

Dried fruit flavors, sweet maltiness, a bit of weird candle wax oxidation. Alcohol is felt but muted somewhat. The feel is rich and syrupy, and it's sippable. In conclusion, this seems to be heading downhill, but from other reviews there may be better preserved samples out there. This was stored 3+ years in a cool dark cellar.
Jan 13, 2010
Photo of wheatyweiss
Reviewed by wheatyweiss from Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Found this at Viking Village in Baraboo in the sampler section.

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into an imperial.

Pours a honey color with an impressive murkiness that hints at bottle conditioning, even though I decanted the bottle expecting that. No floaties but a thick cloud. Head is small and sticks well after it settles.

Aroma is of malty booze. Like a mixed vodka drink boozey. Smells of estery phenolic alcohol, very strong. the aroma almost scares me to take a sip. Bourbon is what I smell.

Flavor starts with butterscotch. Straight up butterscotch candy with plenty of sweet candy sugar. Middle is slightly bitter like there are hops there that are scared to show themselves because the booze will beat them up. there is cream on the middle ina explosive characer. Toffee and vanilla ice cream. Finishes extremely alcoholic and slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel is middle of the road. Quite enough carbonation to handle the sweet malt and tame the alcohol.

According to the style guide I have to give props to this one. A lot of beers of this style are over hopped in my opinion, but this one strikes the balance. Not refreshing, but warming and substantial.
Apr 09, 2009
Photo of DefenCorps
Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle received from beerbeagle as an extra in a trade. Thanks, Randy!

A: In my 22oz snifter,the Capital Vintage Ale sits a rather gorgeous shade of orange-red with some orange highlights. There's a thin off-white head that recedes to a ring rather quickly. Quite appealing in this glass

S: Rich, malty and sweet, this beer is pretty swell. Figs, honey, candy and an almost apricot-like sweetness. While the aromas are present, I wish they were a little richer. As it warms up, there's an aroma of leafy hops that comes up - rather intriguing

T: Pretty impressive! There's a ton of malt complexity with a lot of fruitiness - figs, apricots - some honey, floral sweetness. Mid-palate, some hop character becomes apparent but does not get in the way of the malt flavors. Finishes mildly hoppy with a pleasing sweetness

M: The mouthfeel is pretty awesome. medium-to-full in body with a soft and gentle carbonation and a pleasing finish

D: It's sad that they ain't brewing this anymore 'cos this one's a winner!
Feb 22, 2009
Photo of BitterLover
Reviewed by BitterLover from North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this at a friend's house today. He brought it back from a trip to Wisconsin. Poured from a 12 oz bottle.

Appearance: Surprisingly vivid burnt orange color, noticeable haziness, very little head that died down quickly, leaving only a little lacing.

Smell: Very sweet, with honey notes and butterscotch. No noticeable hop aroma.

Taste: As with the smell, sweetness ruled with the taste. Lots of caramel flavor with very little bitterness to balance it, though there was a hint of carmelized ginger present. I didn't realize that the ABV was as high as it was.

Mouthfeel: Thick, almost syrupy.

Drinkability: This was a surprisingly good beer from a brewery that I had never even heard of before. I would have been happy to have another.
Feb 17, 2009
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle.

Poured a medium and hazy orange color wtih an average sized off white head. Aromas of melon rinds, fruity, grains, caramel, and spicy. Tastes of caramel, sweet malts, fruity, and citrus. Light alcohol in the finish.

Notes from: 11/21/07
Jan 18, 2009
Photo of brdc
Reviewed by brdc from Wisconsin

4.17/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks SkyDoc, who kept this one in his cellar for almost two years. Based on my impression and prior ratings, I can only imagine this aged extremely well.

Rich reddish to copper in color, with a small but nice light tan head. Very nice malty aroma, loads of caramel but also honey, fruits, and an estery note.
Nearly full bodied, mostly sweet, caramelized and fruity, but alcohol spiciness makes frequent appearances, and it mamanges to end somewhat dry. Very good.
Sep 07, 2008
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I got this one as an extra in a trade recently and did not really know much about it and to be honest had not even heard of it or the brewery, but those are my favorite kinds of beers! The 12oz bottle was served slightly colder then cellar temperature and poured into a nonic pint glass. A nice, warm, orange tinted amber color emerged from the bottle. A good bit of cloudiness and haze mixed in, not enought to detract or obscure but enough to get you to take notice. A large two inch head of white foam then emerged over the top and settled down very quickly leaving behind nothing but a thin crown around the sides and a naked top, now noticeable side glass lace, but it still looked rather nice.

The aroma was very sweet. Loads of caramel and honey were the doninant notes, and it ws clear right away that this was going to be a malty beast. Some light, frui aromas coming through as it warmed. The feel hand an almost syrup like consistency and an almost candy like sweetness. Loads of candy apple and caramel flavors, with a touch of a citrus punch toward the finish. Long lasting sweet flavor that I could still taste that nice candy like tone long after it was gone. For over 8% there was not a chance you could pick that up, though I could feel it after it was done.

Overall this was a very nice beer. A good english style barleywine that really snuck up on me as I was not expecting it to be as good as it ws. Too bad it was a one off as I could see myself having this one again some day.
May 29, 2008
Photo of number1bum
Reviewed by number1bum from Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to BeerTruth for this one.

Pours a cloudy, somewhat hazed orangeish amber color. About one finger of off-white head which is quite creamy. Keeps a thin lace but doesn't leave much stick.

Smells of caramel malt with some vague fruitiness. Pretty sweet nose with a hint of alcohol.

Taste starts off boozy and then has some caramel sweetness and a butterscotch like flavor. Also some toffee flavor. Some bitter hops provide a little balance through the finish, although beyond a light and indistinct fruity flavor bitterness is all the hops seem to provide.

Quite a thick, chewy mouthfeel, oily and smooth.

Pretty decent beer. Worth a shot.
May 21, 2008
Photo of KeefD
Reviewed by KeefD from Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got this one in a variety sixer from Amy's Cheese and wine in Stanley Wisconsin. It was one of 6 Wisconsin beers I've never had, sampled over the weekend. Review is from notes I took Friday and Saturday May 9th and 10th.

Poured a dark hazy amber color with a very small head and light lacing.

Smell was malty and slightly hoppy. Taste was much the same. It was malty sweet but was very nicely balanced by the bitter hops. Alcohol taste was barely noticeable for its strength.

This beer reminded me of a good English ESB only slightly sweeter.l Excellent brew and would love to have to have again. I hope this one doesnt stay retired.!
May 12, 2008
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a lightly hazy, amber body with a small, white head.

Smell: Sweet-smelling caramel apples. Hints of citrus fruits and yeast.

Taste: Sweetish caramel maltiness offset by some apple and melon fruit juiciness and a medium hop bitterness. Hint of citrus. Slight yeastiness. More of the same until the drying finish. Some light hints of alcohol at the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Decent enough for one going around at least.
May 10, 2008
Photo of ATLbeerDog
Reviewed by ATLbeerDog from Georgia

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours orange/red in color with a small tan head. Average lacing and average carbonation. Smells of fruity hops dominate. Taste is very hoppy with a ton of citrus. The high 9.5% ABV is very well hidden. Very tasty beer is fairly good and worth a try!!!
May 04, 2008
Photo of cdkrenz
Reviewed by cdkrenz from Wisconsin

3.33/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Orange-brown cloudy body with minimal head. The pour is very thick.

S - The scent has a nice combination of malt and hops. There's a hint of pumpkin but not spiced.

T - The flavor, unlike the aroma, has a certain spice to it. It starts out with malt and moves to a hoppy finish. The spice is prevalent throughout.

M - The feel is very important to this brew. It brings out the spice, malt and hop flavors. There is an obvious and potent alcohol texture present.

~ I've only consumed about an eighth of this beer so far and I can already feel the 'HEAD'. It's a dizzy and firm buzz, which I must admit, is quite intriguing. I don't know if I could drink more than one or two in a sitting.
Apr 29, 2008
Photo of botham
Reviewed by botham from New York

4.47/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a tulip. pours a reddish amber with a single finger of off white head that is reduced to a soapy rim within a minute.

aroma is very malty, with a distinct caramel and bready character, rather sharp in the nose. a light fruity character forms a base, with notes of apple and grape. almost resembles a boozy belgian dubbel with a considerable amount of malt.

taste is heavy on the malts as well, with the same caramel character, much smoother on the palate, and a similar fruity base of apple and grape. there is a notable difference between the aroma and taste, with the latter much more mellow and smooth.

mouthfeel is full bodied with a creamy texture and a smooth finish. exceptional.

drinkabliity is good. though this brew comes with a mildly high alcoholic tag (8.5% APV), one would never know it while sipping it. wonderfully crafted brew. it is a shame they will not be brewing it again. cheers!
Apr 11, 2008
Photo of nsmartell
Reviewed by nsmartell from Wisconsin

3.31/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I enjoyed this beer from the comfort of my own living room while enjoying some lime-grilled chicken. Poured from the bottle to a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Cloudy-amber in color with very little head at all.

Smell: Not much going on here. Not sure if there was something wrong with my snout or not, but I only detected a slight hint of fruitiness.

Taste: Malty, bread notes and a little too sweet for my liking.

Mouthfeel: full-bodied

Drinkability: This was given to me as a gift, so I'm not really sure how long it was sitting around. It was too sweet for my liking. I would give it a shot again though, and based on the other reviews, let it warm up longer than I did this time around.
Apr 08, 2008
Photo of Chaz
Reviewed by Chaz from Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from the 'fridge a little too cold and set it aside to warm for a minute or two.

While it warmed, the two-fingered medium-tan head fell rather rapidly, leaving behind a good bit of lacing around the edge of the glass, and just a thin layer of head atop the tawny golden-amber beverage inside. While still cold, the nose on this one was fairly assertive, and although whatever hops were used are no doubt softer now there was a faint rush of floral hops to complement the pungent yeast, rich darker malts, and even wheat malts (?) that emanated from the drinking vessel. This is a lot sturdier than I was expecting, and as such I expect it's survived the two years (?*) since it was bottled.

Hazey in the best possible way, and lightly boozy.

On the first taste I'm tasting a sweet, sharp, pungent brew
that still has legs left in it. Definitely fruity, there are pineapple, plum, pear, and marzipan notes here, and the alcohol is gently-warmimg.

As it warms a little more and mellows in the glas, I'm getting just the sliughtest hint of bitterness, alkong with notes of cherry and raspberry, accompanied by just a hint of fusel alcohol in the aromatics. Sweet, cloyingly-treacly-sweet even, but I can't find myself putting this down to, it's very drinkable.

As noted, the spice of the hops didn't quite survive the last year, and no doubt the American palate crave hops (especially high-alpha hops) in a way that the English palate does not, but this is giving me all the impression of an imported British strong / Old ale. Some might find this one to be one-dimensional and "simple", but even with a year on it I'd say this is a more than worthwhile tipple. I'm sorry that my review isn't more elaborate here, but sometimes it's time to put aside the easy criticism and just enjoy the ride.

Hardly a wasted effort on the part of Kirby and his crew.

* date code on my single is partially worn-off.
Mar 27, 2008
Vintage Ale from Capital Brewery
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 57 ratings