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23rd Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Ale
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- From:
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Old Ale
- ABV:
- 12.3%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 9.83%
- Reviews:
- 38
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 28, 2019
- Added:
- Feb 03, 2012
- Wants:
- 47
- Gots:
- 27
When we started brewing back in 1989, the closest thing in town to an English-style Old Ale came in a paper bag. Twenty-three years later, we like to think we had something to do with improving the local beer selection in San Diego. Our 23rd Anniversary Old Ale is indeed “old ale,” after spending a full year in American oak bourbon barrels. The result is an unblended and unmistakably complex strong ale with rich layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, warming bourbon, and toasted oak. Save a bottle. Like us, this one gets better with age.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MasterSki:
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)
3.94/5 rDev -3.2%
3.94/5 rDev -3.2%
2012 vintage bottle from Shane. Thanks! Served in a snifter.
A - Off-white foam settles to pretty much nothing. Attractive transparent amber body. Could have stood for a bit more head, but not terribly offensive for the style and ABV.
S - Lots of bourbon and oak, bread and toffee malts. Even though the barrel presence is heavy, the beer is surprisingly mellow. Fairly restrained sweetness for the style; a bit more burnt than cloying. Perhaps a touch of marmalade.
T - Taste is a bit more simplistic. Heavy emphasis on oak, with light whiskey and a fairly neutral bready malt backbone. Perhaps a bit simplistic; really needs a bit more sweetness to balance the barrel notes.
M - A bit thin for the ABV, but still decidedly medium. Tannic, dry, with a hint of lingering stickiness. Not much alcohol presence at all. Lower carbonation.
D - About what I expected; a solid barrel-aged old ale that has a few shortcomings. Still, it's easy to drink and one of the stronger offerings I've had from this brewery.
Aug 26, 2014A - Off-white foam settles to pretty much nothing. Attractive transparent amber body. Could have stood for a bit more head, but not terribly offensive for the style and ABV.
S - Lots of bourbon and oak, bread and toffee malts. Even though the barrel presence is heavy, the beer is surprisingly mellow. Fairly restrained sweetness for the style; a bit more burnt than cloying. Perhaps a touch of marmalade.
T - Taste is a bit more simplistic. Heavy emphasis on oak, with light whiskey and a fairly neutral bready malt backbone. Perhaps a bit simplistic; really needs a bit more sweetness to balance the barrel notes.
M - A bit thin for the ABV, but still decidedly medium. Tannic, dry, with a hint of lingering stickiness. Not much alcohol presence at all. Lower carbonation.
D - About what I expected; a solid barrel-aged old ale that has a few shortcomings. Still, it's easy to drink and one of the stronger offerings I've had from this brewery.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by BucannonXC5 from California
4.34/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.34/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Type: 22-oz. bottle
Glass: Tioga-Sequoia 13-oz. tulip
From: La Mesa Wine & Spirits in La Mesa, Calif.
Price: $19.99
Purchased: March 8, 2019
Consumed: March 8, 2019
Reviewed as: Old Ale
Misc.: No bottled on date, but released in February 2012; Black foil on neck
Basically picked this up after walking into La Mesa Wine & Spirits and asking if they had anything barrel aged. Was told that they had this (and a few Saint Archer (#CraftAdjace) and I instantly picked it up when I saw that it was the 23rd anniversary (2012) and an ale aged in oak bourbon barrels. Disappointing it was warm on the shelves when I picked it up, but I wanted to try it. Untappd description read, “When we started brewing back in 1989, the closest thing in town to an English-style Old Ale came in a paper bag. Twenty-three years later, we like to think we had something to do with improving the local beer selection in San Diego. Our 23rd Anniversary Old Ale is indeed “old ale,” after spending a full year in American oak bourbon barrels. The result is an unblended and unmistakably complex strong ale with rich layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, warming bourbon, and toasted oak. Save a bottle. Like us, this one gets better with age.” Well let’s see if seven years was too long to age. It’s been awhile since I had an old ale.
Poured a copper semi-clear color with 1-to-2 fingers of khaki fizzy head, which dissipated quickly. Some fast moving bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Bad watery lacing. Poor retention. (Sight - 2.75)
Smelled plum, tobacco, toasted oak, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toffee, purple grape, dark fruit and brown sugar. (Smell - 4.25)
Tasted even better than the smell. Got leathery tobacco, plum, toasted oak, caramel, toffee, smooth bourbon, brown sugar, dark fruit, vanilla and lightly toasted coconut. Not tasting that 12.2 pct. (Taste - 4.50)
Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth, oaky finish. (Feel - 4.50)
Wow. For seven years later, this was fabulous. World-class old ale for sure. (Overall - 4.50)
4.36 | 96 | A
Mar 28, 2019Glass: Tioga-Sequoia 13-oz. tulip
From: La Mesa Wine & Spirits in La Mesa, Calif.
Price: $19.99
Purchased: March 8, 2019
Consumed: March 8, 2019
Reviewed as: Old Ale
Misc.: No bottled on date, but released in February 2012; Black foil on neck
Basically picked this up after walking into La Mesa Wine & Spirits and asking if they had anything barrel aged. Was told that they had this (and a few Saint Archer (#CraftAdjace) and I instantly picked it up when I saw that it was the 23rd anniversary (2012) and an ale aged in oak bourbon barrels. Disappointing it was warm on the shelves when I picked it up, but I wanted to try it. Untappd description read, “When we started brewing back in 1989, the closest thing in town to an English-style Old Ale came in a paper bag. Twenty-three years later, we like to think we had something to do with improving the local beer selection in San Diego. Our 23rd Anniversary Old Ale is indeed “old ale,” after spending a full year in American oak bourbon barrels. The result is an unblended and unmistakably complex strong ale with rich layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, warming bourbon, and toasted oak. Save a bottle. Like us, this one gets better with age.” Well let’s see if seven years was too long to age. It’s been awhile since I had an old ale.
Poured a copper semi-clear color with 1-to-2 fingers of khaki fizzy head, which dissipated quickly. Some fast moving bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Bad watery lacing. Poor retention. (Sight - 2.75)
Smelled plum, tobacco, toasted oak, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toffee, purple grape, dark fruit and brown sugar. (Smell - 4.25)
Tasted even better than the smell. Got leathery tobacco, plum, toasted oak, caramel, toffee, smooth bourbon, brown sugar, dark fruit, vanilla and lightly toasted coconut. Not tasting that 12.2 pct. (Taste - 4.50)
Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth, oaky finish. (Feel - 4.50)
Wow. For seven years later, this was fabulous. World-class old ale for sure. (Overall - 4.50)
4.36 | 96 | A
Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida
3.79/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.79/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. Reviewed from notes.
Appearance - Deep amber. Not much of a head. A few chunks around the edges.
Smell - Simple nose. Bourbon, oak, vanilla, and caramel.
Taste - Again, it's simple, but nice. Bourbon, vanilla, toffee and brown sugar. Dries out quickly with an oaky finish.
Mouthfeel - Astringent and boozy. Oaky in the finish. Medium body.
Overall - It certainly isn't a complex beer. Lots of barrel and some caramel malts to back it up.
Jun 15, 2014Appearance - Deep amber. Not much of a head. A few chunks around the edges.
Smell - Simple nose. Bourbon, oak, vanilla, and caramel.
Taste - Again, it's simple, but nice. Bourbon, vanilla, toffee and brown sugar. Dries out quickly with an oaky finish.
Mouthfeel - Astringent and boozy. Oaky in the finish. Medium body.
Overall - It certainly isn't a complex beer. Lots of barrel and some caramel malts to back it up.
Reviewed by beagle75 from Iowa
3.89/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bomber into a half-pint chalice.
A: Slightly hazy, medium amber color with a fine peripheral ring of off-white bubbles. Scant lacing remains on the glass.
S: Rich treacle laced with candied orange peel and heady spirituous vanilla.
T: Begins off-dry, with caramel and mild dark cherry fruit. Bourbon is featured in the middle, only slightly oak-influenced, but so is an assertive breadiness that seems entirely driven by English malt rather than yeast. The finish is booze-soaked, showing some fruitcake that seems ester-driven in the high alcohol presence.
M: Medium viscosity, syrupy and slightly acidic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.
D/O: A fine (and rare) old ale by a West Coast brewery, it generates an interesting mix of traditional malt-derived qualities as well as a fair amount of barrel influence.
Aug 02, 2013A: Slightly hazy, medium amber color with a fine peripheral ring of off-white bubbles. Scant lacing remains on the glass.
S: Rich treacle laced with candied orange peel and heady spirituous vanilla.
T: Begins off-dry, with caramel and mild dark cherry fruit. Bourbon is featured in the middle, only slightly oak-influenced, but so is an assertive breadiness that seems entirely driven by English malt rather than yeast. The finish is booze-soaked, showing some fruitcake that seems ester-driven in the high alcohol presence.
M: Medium viscosity, syrupy and slightly acidic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.
D/O: A fine (and rare) old ale by a West Coast brewery, it generates an interesting mix of traditional malt-derived qualities as well as a fair amount of barrel influence.
Reviewed by jegross2 from Illinois
4.11/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Reviewing the 23rd Anniversary Old Ale from Karl Strauss Brewing Company out of San Diego, California.
Score: 92
February 2012 vintage bottle served in a tulip taster glass and enjoyed on 03/01/13 from a bottle I brought to the Beer Temple to share with the store's customers. Review is from iPhone notes
Appearance: Bourbon caramel color. Virtually no head off the pour, and what little head there is quickly and totally settles. Minimal lacing, but the brew leaves oily streaks on the side of the glass. 3.5/5
Smell: Very smooth, no booziness. Vanilla, caramel, stale hops, and smooth/sweet bourbon notes. Some oakiness too. 3.5/5
Taste: Taste is much better than the nose. This brew practically smacks you over the head with delicious vanilla flavor with notes of caramel, cocoa and smooth bourbon. Less sweet than the nose led me to believe, but it's still a "sweet" (but not cloying) malty brew. I love the bold vanilla/caramel flavor of this brew! 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, viscous, with minimal carbonation. Nice maltiness and a little stickiness. 4.25/5
Overall: The aroma and appearance were not anything particularly special, but the taste was divine. While not the most complex barrel aged beer, I loved how bold the vanilla and caramel flavors were. I think this is drinking about as perfect as it will get (in act, the nose was a little stale from the faded hops), and I do not see this benefiting from further aging. It tastes like how 100% Cuir is currently drinking with less complexity. Open your bottles now!
Cost: $12 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.
Jul 06, 2013Score: 92
February 2012 vintage bottle served in a tulip taster glass and enjoyed on 03/01/13 from a bottle I brought to the Beer Temple to share with the store's customers. Review is from iPhone notes
Appearance: Bourbon caramel color. Virtually no head off the pour, and what little head there is quickly and totally settles. Minimal lacing, but the brew leaves oily streaks on the side of the glass. 3.5/5
Smell: Very smooth, no booziness. Vanilla, caramel, stale hops, and smooth/sweet bourbon notes. Some oakiness too. 3.5/5
Taste: Taste is much better than the nose. This brew practically smacks you over the head with delicious vanilla flavor with notes of caramel, cocoa and smooth bourbon. Less sweet than the nose led me to believe, but it's still a "sweet" (but not cloying) malty brew. I love the bold vanilla/caramel flavor of this brew! 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, viscous, with minimal carbonation. Nice maltiness and a little stickiness. 4.25/5
Overall: The aroma and appearance were not anything particularly special, but the taste was divine. While not the most complex barrel aged beer, I loved how bold the vanilla and caramel flavors were. I think this is drinking about as perfect as it will get (in act, the nose was a little stale from the faded hops), and I do not see this benefiting from further aging. It tastes like how 100% Cuir is currently drinking with less complexity. Open your bottles now!
Cost: $12 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
3.73/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.73/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had a couple ounces of this at a tasting a few months back & it zoomed towards the top of my most-wanted posters. Then while engaged in trade discussions with the generous Kyle2k10, he noted my interest & offered to throw it in in exchange for two green socks. 22 oz. bottle opened up with my lovely, lovely wife.
Curtain up: the pour is a dark, clay-court red with minimal carbonation. Nose is a bit hard to pick out, but there's bourbon, carmelized sugar, heavy dose of sweets.
Karl Strauss 23rd Anniversary an alcohol spike to the forebrain. Hot, sweet booze oozes out into the mouth & lays tracks down the centers of reasoning & coordination. Plenty of 12.3% caramel & toffee, along with the beginnings of oxidation. Bourbon presents itself as more vanilla & heat than straight hard alcohol. Nice butterscotch, too. Lack of carbonation limits the drinkability, that & Earth's gravity.
Not the category-killer I remember from our first brief encounter, but nonetheless a very good beer.
Apr 27, 2013Curtain up: the pour is a dark, clay-court red with minimal carbonation. Nose is a bit hard to pick out, but there's bourbon, carmelized sugar, heavy dose of sweets.
Karl Strauss 23rd Anniversary an alcohol spike to the forebrain. Hot, sweet booze oozes out into the mouth & lays tracks down the centers of reasoning & coordination. Plenty of 12.3% caramel & toffee, along with the beginnings of oxidation. Bourbon presents itself as more vanilla & heat than straight hard alcohol. Nice butterscotch, too. Lack of carbonation limits the drinkability, that & Earth's gravity.
Not the category-killer I remember from our first brief encounter, but nonetheless a very good beer.
23rd Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Ale from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
92 ratings
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