Best Old Ale

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by dmb2890, Mar 20, 2013.

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  1. dmb2890

    dmb2890 Devotee (398) Sep 26, 2011 Indiana

    Was at Kuhnhen last week and enjoyed their Fourth Dementia old ale, most likely my favorite non-barrel aged old ale. What are your favorites?
     
    #1 dmb2890, Mar 20, 2013
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  2. RBassSFHOPit2ME

    RBassSFHOPit2ME Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2009 California

    Hair of the Dog ADAM

    Easily the best non barrel aged old ale I've had.
     
    #2 RBassSFHOPit2ME, Mar 20, 2013
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  3. MrKennedy

    MrKennedy Pooh-Bah (1,838) Dec 29, 2006 Australia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Its retired, but Eldridge Pope Thomas Hardy's Ale for me
     
    #3 MrKennedy, Mar 20, 2013
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  4. WYVYRN527

    WYVYRN527 Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2007 Minnesota

    Adam. However, I do love some Founders Curmudgeon and North coast Old Stock.
     
    #4 WYVYRN527, Mar 20, 2013
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  5. Trevor

    Trevor Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2012 Oregon

    HOTD Adam hands down.
     
    #5 Trevor, Mar 20, 2013
  6. Lutter

    Lutter Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2010 Texas

    The best I've ever had was Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Fourth Dementia.

    That stuff is just amazing.

    Founders Old Curmudgeon is probably my favorite non-barrel aged old ale (as well as regular 4D).

    I hear a lot of great things about Adam from the Wood too... but I haven't had the chance to try it.
     
    #6 Lutter, Mar 20, 2013
  7. Etan

    Etan Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Wisconsin

    Cherry Adam from the Wood is my highest-rated old ale on this site. But considering nothing really distinguishes an old ale from a barleywine besides what the brewer decides to call the beer in the end, I have higher-rated barleywines.
     
    #7 Etan, Mar 20, 2013
  8. ArchEnemyBrew

    ArchEnemyBrew Initiate (0) Mar 21, 2010 Washington

    Oh so true. Like how FFF calls zombie dust a "pale ale". Derp
     
    #8 ArchEnemyBrew, Mar 20, 2013
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  9. edproctor

    edproctor Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2011 California

    The Bruery's anniversary beers are categorized as old ales and I personally think that those beers (at least cuir and fruet) kick some old ale ass.
     
    #9 edproctor, Mar 20, 2013
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  10. 4DAloveofSTOUT

    4DAloveofSTOUT Grand Pooh-Bah (4,064) Nov 28, 2008 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    HotD Adam for the win! All other Old Ales are inferior. As far as a non-barrel aged old ale goes...
     
    #10 4DAloveofSTOUT, Mar 20, 2013
  11. mintjellie

    mintjellie Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2005 Canada (ON)

    Old ale is old ale because it's aged, right? Like Thomas Hardys was an old ale because it spent 9 months on oak before bottling, right?
     
    #11 mintjellie, Mar 20, 2013
  12. aasher

    aasher Grand Pooh-Bah (4,557) Jan 27, 2010 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Hair of the Dog Adam and Thomas Hardy are my top two.
     
    #12 aasher, Mar 20, 2013
  13. BedetheVenerable

    BedetheVenerable Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2008 Missouri

    Aged Founders Curmudgeon and North Coast Old Stock are magical. Miss me some Thomas Hardy's as well.

    Also have a soft spot for Old Tom and Theakston's Old Peculier.

    The accidentally-Brettified 2011 (enjoyed late 2012) Figgy Pudding from Block 15 was stellar as well, though the beer was perhaps not what was intended upon release.
     
    #13 BedetheVenerable, Mar 20, 2013
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  14. jpmclaug

    jpmclaug Savant (1,007) Jun 6, 2008 South Carolina

    Adam is really good.

    But I think Billy the Mountain is my favorite. I wish I could get some more of that.
     
    #14 jpmclaug, Mar 20, 2013
  15. xnicknj

    xnicknj Initiate (0) May 25, 2009 Pennsylvania

    BA4D or 100% BA Cuir are the first two that come to my mind.
     
    #15 xnicknj, Mar 20, 2013
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  16. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    Fuller's Vintage Ale
     
    #16 BottleCaps80, Mar 20, 2013
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  17. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    Fuller's Vintage Ale - great to drink on release and ages well for a few years
     
    #17 WickedSluggy, Mar 20, 2013
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  18. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    'Probably not' is the best answer to your question, although historically this style was aged, thus its name. I think some examples in this style are aged nowadays, but many are 'probably not' in the brewer's haste to get the beer to market. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/79

    To the OP: I'll add Arcadia's Big Dick's Old Ale to the list. It's not widely distributed, but worth seeking out.
     
    #18 PapaGoose03, Mar 20, 2013
  19. Holmes698

    Holmes698 Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Adam & Curmudgeon's
     
    #19 Holmes698, Mar 20, 2013
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  20. Andygirl

    Andygirl Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2013 Michigan

    4d is my favorite by far. I have had better cellared old ales, but I can't wait 5-10 years everytime I want a beer.
     
    #20 Andygirl, Mar 20, 2013
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