Buffalo Tooth's Old Ale
Sweetwater Tavern

 

Nice IPA. Good color. Not much aroma.

 

 

 

 

 

I just had this at the Merrifield Sweetwater, so i adked to adjust the availability. I know it isn't available often.

I also agree this is more of an IPA (or double at 7.8% for this batch).

A: amber, clear, good head retention, decent lacing
S: not strong at all, but little smokey, piney, with a little raisin
T/M: carbonated front, little malt front, little bit of that raisin, maybe some root beer(?). As the taste transitions there's a smokiness with a hint if molasses (not too sweet, though). Then it turns a little woody and starts to dry the tongue. Ends resin-y, but does not kill the palette.

My initial taste of this I really enjoyed. As I analyzed it, it seemed just a little less dynamic (althought sometimes analyzing does kill the enjoyment). Got a second pour, and it rated right between my initial taste and the over-analyzed one.

 

On tap at the Centerville location poured into a pint glass. The description says "Not an IPA or a Barleywine but the best of both!!" What the hell does that mean?

Beautiful clear orange coloring with a towering off white creamy head. Head retention was great and left tons of lacing on the glass.

The nose was full of hops, malts, and a good whiff of fruitiness.

Taste is strong and full bodied. Hints of floral and earthy notes. Finishes with an amazing hop and citrus flavor. A pretty damn good beer through and through but probably not one I would get again.

I really don't think this one should be an Old Ale. Maybe a Double IPA or maybe even a Strong Ale.

I'll second the opinion that this isn't really an Old Ale, so much as it is a double IPA. Poured a slightly murky dark amber with a nice fluffy head. Fine carbonation. Smell is somwhat floral. Taste is very hoppy, loaded with complex, floral hops and a nice maltiness. Served a bit too cold though so let it warm slightly. Not the smoothest beer at the end though which limits its drinkability. A very fine beer though, worthy of sampling. Probably Sweetwater's best offering when I was there.

Reviewed from a growler bought at the Sterling, VA location. Pours out a clear orange with a tall crème colored head. Hmmm doesn’t look like much of an old ale. Great head retention and tons of lacing were left around the glass. The big surprise here was the hop bomb that hits your nose. I was expecting a nice malty old ale when all I got was a nose full of hops, great but unexpected. Strong floral notes here over a barely noticeable malt backbone. Taste is full of earthy and floral hops with a slight citric grapefruit hoppiness to it. This is more of a double IPA or Hoppy Strong Ale than an old ale. Finished with a strong floral hop bite. Medium and smooth body. Pretty damn drinkable as well.Not sure where exactly this beer falls but I would definitely have it again. The description described a malty and fruity old ale but in reality this was a super hoppy strong ale. Good solid brew overall.

Light brown-ish amber with a nice creamy moderate head, slow carbonation, and some lace rings. Citrusy hoppy aroma; strange for the style; fruity. Chewy resiny hop flavors -- malt character very subdued but just enough to balance it out. Medium-full bodied with a dry bitter finish but not overly so...

A very nice brew though certainly not your average Old Ale.

Note: This review was based on the growler version from Merrifield, VA.

Tasted: 09/05/04