Old Strong Ale
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Downtown)

appearance: The head is low and tan, with a slight amount of lacing left behind. The beer is a deep chestnut in color.

smell: Some aromas of caramel and semisweet chocolate are in there. I also find a light coffee aroma. The hops are low, but there. A little uninteresting considering the style, but not bad.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is at the low end of the medium range, and the body medium.

taste: On the tongue I find some light flavors of dark chocolate, and a moderate coffee flavor. I think there is some maple character in there, but I may be wrong. There is also an earthy flavor. The hop bitterness is moderate, and provides some needed balance. Again, a little plain for the style, but not bad.

drinkability: Easy drinking, but not too substantial

Ordered this beer after dinner at the brewpub on my first night in Madison visiting dirtylou.

Man alive, this new old ale is a subtle, smoked ale. Dark garnet in color with a skim of khaki head. Nose is earthy peat, with a distinct smoked character, sweet scotch ale caramel maltiness, and dark fruit notes. Taste continues with the most subtle smoked wood/earth notes with caramel, grassy malts. Mouthfeel is robust, yet not cloying, slick and lager-like. This was a delicious smoked beer/old ale....the most subtle version of each. An earthy, refined brew with a delicious earthy complexity.