Old Dave's Curse
Big Horse Brew Pub / Horse Feathers & Co.

Listed on the seasonal menu board as “Old English Ale”. Personally, I can’t see making the effort to distinguish old ale from strong ale or barleywine. The style designations are too ambiguous and the individual interpretations of each amount to semantics moreso than adherence to any clearly definable identity. Of course, this won’t stop me from drinking and enjoying any of them. But sometimes – as with “old ale”– the taxonomy gets messy. Exactly how old is this stuff? And for that matter, how English is this beer from Hood River?

Stepping off the soapbox for a moment, I notice compressed, tiny bubbles fighting their way upwards in a heavy russet brew served in a 12-ounce tulip. No discernable smell rises up to greet me, but the taste has a musty attic character with unfocussed sweetness and a light alcoholic burn. The taste closes with bitterness and a finish that’s a bit gruff.

Not notable as a barleywine. And the bartender didn’t know who Dave was.