Father Time
Santa Maria Brewing Co. / Tap It Brewing Co.

 

 

Type: 22-oz. bottle
Glass: AleSmith Barrel-Aged Reserve snifter glass
From: Bottle Shop in Montecito, Calif.
Price: $10.99
Purchased: May 29, 2016
Consumed: Jan. 1, 2017
Reviewed as: Old Ale
Misc.: 2015 release; Best enjoyed after 2016

Only picked this up because there was a minimum $10 charge for no fee at Bottle Shop’s ATM. Not the smartest move since I only wanted a soda, but pulled the trigger anyway. I had read the bottle earlier when I was checking out the place and it sounded interesting. Wasn’t thrilled about the “best enjoyed after 2016” phrase. I mean, why not just put it out when it’s ready? I’m also talking to you Deschutes Abyss.

Poured a red-brown amber semi-clear color with off-white head. Very light bubbles making their way up from the bottom of the glass. Excellent spotty lacing. Excellent retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled a mix of dark fruits at first, getting plum, cherry wood, toasty malts, raisin, dates, toasted brown sugar, dark caramel, purple grape wine aromas and slightly boozy earthy leather. (Smell - 4.00)

Taste followed the nose for the most part, getting damp, dark basement, plum, cherry wood, raisins, purple grape, brown sugar, dates, toast, wood and earthy leather. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, bitter finish. (Feel - 4.25)

This was a really good Old Ale. Glad I got the chance to try it. (Overall - 4.25)

4.09 | 91 | A-

Tap-It's Father Time, old ale. 9.1% ABV.

A: Very dark red, bordering on brown/black. Cream colored head. Medium, slightly spotty sheeting. Almost no lacing.

S: Powdered malt, mostly.

T/MF: Tree sap, light powdered malt, faint cocoa, moderate hop. Better as it warms: toffee, char.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle, into a Belgian tulip glass.

 

Great overall beer. Just reminded me if an American strong ale versus as marketed Old Ale. Cheers!

2015 vintage.

Pours an almost opaque super dark orange-brown with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, dark fruit, raisin, earth, burnt caramel, and slight port wine aromas. Taste is much the same with toast, candied dark fruit, earth, brown sugar, and burnt caramel flavors on the finish. There is a medium amount of toast bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a nice mix of toast, dark fruit, and sticky sugar characteristics all around.

Serving type: bottle.

Solid beer. Smell is fairly light. Taste is sweet, malty and has a slight taste of oak to it. It's a nice sipper and one I wouldn't mind on occasion. It almost reminded me of one of the Dogfish Head malty beers.