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Old Peculier
T & R Theakston Ltd.
- From:
- T & R Theakston Ltd.
- England, United Kingdom
- Style:
- Old Ale
Ranked #36 - ABV:
- 5.6%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #12,854 - Avg:
- 3.96 | pDev: 11.11%
- Reviews:
- 607
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 12, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 31, 2001
- Wants:
- 69
- Gots:
- 102
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Old Peculier is possibly one of the country’s most well-known and loved ales. This unique, beautiful brew is often imitated but never matched and is sold literally all over the world. With countless awards to its credit, it is something of which every Briton can be very proud and is the epitome of the greatest of British brewing tradition.
In the early years of the modern brewing era, about two hundred years ago, many brewers produced a dark, strong ‘stock’ beer in the winter months, to provide a base amount of fermented beer to add to beers brewed in the rather more volatile months of the summer.
Old Peculier probably owes its origins to this. The name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.
In the early years of the modern brewing era, about two hundred years ago, many brewers produced a dark, strong ‘stock’ beer in the winter months, to provide a base amount of fermented beer to add to beers brewed in the rather more volatile months of the summer.
Old Peculier probably owes its origins to this. The name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by DerbyDave35 from Australia
5/5 rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +26.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
There is lots of nostalgia and affection for this wonderfully traditional ale , I'm supping it in Perth , Australia in a 500ml bottle ..we recently had the good fortune to have it on draught at one particular pub . I've enjoyed it in a Melbourne pub too
You can't fault this beer , how do you make it better ? ,, its tasty , smooth , satisfying and evokes memories of enjoying it , in days gone by , with good friends and loved family members , some no longer with us ... so its a 5 all the way from me
Nov 12, 2023You can't fault this beer , how do you make it better ? ,, its tasty , smooth , satisfying and evokes memories of enjoying it , in days gone by , with good friends and loved family members , some no longer with us ... so its a 5 all the way from me
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts
4.34/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.34/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Hand pulled cask offering at The Swan in London. This is truly unique. Unlike the Old Ales we have in the US. More like a strong brown ale. Obviously booze level is much lower. Seriously rich with plenty of dark fruit and roasted malt but not such a heavy body and feel. Not a beer you drink all night, unless you’re going through some trouble, but a treat to drink.
Aug 09, 2023
Reviewed by stcules from Italy
3.91/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.91/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A very beautiful color, dark, with ruby edges. Light brown foam.
Malty smell, full, with caramel, fudge, biscuit, plums.
Full, intense. Classic, but really well done.
The taste is less sweet, and in the back there are some notes of roots, almost liquorice.
Relatively light body, earthly, great balance.
Totally english, and good.
Jan 23, 2023Malty smell, full, with caramel, fudge, biscuit, plums.
Full, intense. Classic, but really well done.
The taste is less sweet, and in the back there are some notes of roots, almost liquorice.
Relatively light body, earthly, great balance.
Totally english, and good.
Reviewed by Lmc93
3.51/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.51/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark ruby colour, 2cm cream head receding quickly.
Great smell. malty, toffee/lighter caramel notes.
Low to medium carbonation with a creamy mouthfeel.
Taste is where it's a small letdown, not matching the dark, noticeable nose. Nothing overwhelming comes through though because of this, very drinkable and hides the slightly higher abv.
Would drink again but not my top choice for a single evening beer.
Nov 12, 2022Great smell. malty, toffee/lighter caramel notes.
Low to medium carbonation with a creamy mouthfeel.
Taste is where it's a small letdown, not matching the dark, noticeable nose. Nothing overwhelming comes through though because of this, very drinkable and hides the slightly higher abv.
Would drink again but not my top choice for a single evening beer.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
4.23/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
500 ml bottle, thanks to my beerpal Egil. ABV is 5.6%. Very dark reddish brown colour, big beige head. Nice aroma of malts (some of them apparently lightly roasted), vinous notes, dark fruits and berries. The flavour is rich and malty with just a mild roastiness, perfectly balanced by fruity hops with berry notes. Not an extreme beer in any way, other than being "extremely good".
Older rating cask, overall 4.5: (Cask conditioned). Good strong ale, well suited for a winter’s day. Full & mallty rich flavour with just the right acidity and sufficient hops. Haven’t had the bottled version, but from a well kept cask it’s a real treat.
Jun 12, 2022Older rating cask, overall 4.5: (Cask conditioned). Good strong ale, well suited for a winter’s day. Full & mallty rich flavour with just the right acidity and sufficient hops. Haven’t had the bottled version, but from a well kept cask it’s a real treat.
Rated by Unusualsuspect
4.9/5 rDev +23.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.9/5 rDev +23.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
An awesome ale in every sense, consistent taste both draft and bottled.
Jun 12, 2022Reviewed by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)
4.28/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This stuff is great. Pours a very dark ruby, maybe garnet would be a better descriptor, with one finger of foamy tan head that recedes quickly. It's lightly carbonated, in the tradition of British ales. Sweet malts and dark fruits on the nose. Toffee, bitter roasted malt, cherry, and plum on the palate. Full-bodied, velvety smooth, on the sweet side but with a bit of bitterness to balance it out, very moreish - overall an excellent British Old Ale maybe the best.
Dec 31, 2021Rated by MJC_MN from Minnesota
4.7/5 rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.7/5 rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I love this beer , ever since my first taste in Yorkshire in 1987. Does anyone know where to buy this in the U.S.?
Feb 23, 2021
Old Peculier from T & R Theakston Ltd.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
1066 ratings
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