Old Marcus
Middle Ages Brewing Co., Ltd.

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From:
Middle Ages Brewing Co., Ltd.
 
New York, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
6.6%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 11.83%
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
36
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 20, 2018
Added:
Oct 30, 2001
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by athenmonk:
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Rated by athenmonk from New York

4/5  rDev +2.8%

Sep 23, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by paulish from New York

Oct 20, 2018
Photo of craftaholic
Reviewed by craftaholic from New York

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I'm very surprised by this beer. I expected bitter but I didn't expect it to be so tasty. Leaves behind more lace than a Vicky's fashion show. Smells like a nice roasted malt but not overdone. The taste is bitter yet creamy? It has a transformative property from the front of your tongue to the back. From bitter hops and roasted malts to pillowy cream.
Apr 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Nov 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.74 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

May 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.41 by KWolf from New York

Mar 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by sachie23 from New York

Sep 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by T-34-85 from New York

May 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.58 by Seanpatrickhaley from South Carolina

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by FrankShirley from Massachusetts

Aug 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by AMCimpi from New York

Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mjforres from New York

Sep 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by prisdefer from New York

Aug 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Cooker_stp from New York

Aug 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by BGsWo22 from Texas

Mar 20, 2013
Photo of TheBrewo
Reviewed by TheBrewo from New York

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This brew was served from the cask at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY. It is served into a house nonic glass, glowing a golden red coloring. It holds a frothy two finger head of creamy eggshell colored bubbles. These cling to the sides of the glass, leaving solid sheets of lacing as it recedes at a slow pace. There is a chill haze throughout, but no sediment is noted. Carbonation appears light. The nose is bright with mild banana esters and crisp lemon flesh. Clove spice and citric hops come with warmth, as does more sweetness from a lightly caramel, malty base. There is an interesting “sunscreen” note to the nose, giving more plastics, and that characteristic “bitter” note of the style. Our first impression is that the flavoring is wrought with cooling banana bread. As we sip, mild caramel and pale malts mix with cooling banana esters and light citric hops. The peak shows sharp phenolic bitterness, with light plastics and faint strawberry sourness. Sour lemon peel adds to this, with a continuation of those same malts and hops from the outset. We finish with more fruit, with blackberry sourness, even more bitter citric and grassy hops, and more of those sharp magic marker plastics, imparting that same characteristic bitterness of the style. The aftertaste breathes of fusel booze, English breakfast tea leaves, grassy hops, lemon juice, smooth woody musk, and sweeter pale grain. The body is medium, and the carbonation is light. The mouth is left wet and cooled, with a thin syrupy coating, despite the lightness otherwise. There is minimal slurp, smack, or pop on top of each sip. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks decently.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this was the nose. This shows nice sweetness, hoppiness, and a cooling quality to the heavily breaded malts, while hitting all the high points stylistically. The flavoring followed nicely, and the flavorings have mellowed beautifully in the casking. We felt the feel to be a little weak, as we were hoping for a more robust, cream pop and fizzle with each sip. Otherwise this is a tasty local offering we were happy to drink.
Aug 28, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by ABokononist from New York

Jul 16, 2012
 
 
Rated: 4 by blackened1339 from New York

Nov 15, 2011
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Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A very well balance English-style strong bitter with a slight nod toward rich malty character but not without a bold rebuttal of earthy, spicy hop bitterness.

Pouring a bit darker amber, light brown color than typical for ESB-type beers, the beer showcases its froathy character with a dense off-white head that retains and laces well.

Malty-rich aromas of caramel, sweet breads, light bread crust, and a slight brown sugar scent all set the tone for the hops and esters that round out the nose. Earthy, grassy, spicy hops give a slight musty nose with elements of peat and light woodiness. Mildly fruity yeasty notes give a roundedness and complex element to the aroma and help to offset the grassy hop scent.

Again, the malts give first impressions to taste with a mild toffee, bready/biscuity flavor with moderate sweetness that work well in conjunction with the fruity apple, pear, and appricot yeast contributions. A mid palate of earthy/spicy/grassy hops give a crisp and sharp bitterness that grows in intensity going into finish that balances out very well in the end.

Hearty and creamy without becomming weighted, the beer retains its structure well while protruding the fruity and hoppy notes throughout. Waivering everso slightly late, the beer finishes semi-dry with a slight malty-sweet linger along with spicy hop bitterness.

Very well done although the sligh malt forwardness could be better balanced by a bit more of a hop increase to improve.
Jul 01, 2011
Old Marcus from Middle Ages Brewing Co., Ltd.
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 36 ratings