Old Ales

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Beertsipper, Jul 5, 2014.

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  1. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Just had my first Old Curmudgeon and I have to say, that I really enjoyed it! It was my first experience with this style and I'm looking forward to picking up some more. It's readily available here. I did a search and it appears that this style of beer carries hefty ABV levels. OC came in at 9.8%. Seemed just right. Although it was malt forward, I picked up many other notes. What old ales are comparable? Or, might be more hop/vanilla forward?
     
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  2. Docrock

    Docrock Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2012 Illinois

    Kuhnhenn 4D!
     
  3. mj81

    mj81 Savant (1,072) Sep 11, 2013 New Jersey
    Trader

    If you want a hop forward old ale then just get a dipa. Old ales are usually malt forward. Age the curmudgeon if you want the.vanilla flavor to come out a bit more.
     
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  4. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Bell's Third Coast Old Ale is a favorite of mine. It is one of their winter seasonals so you'll have to wait for it, but it is definitely worth trying.
     
  5. westlaunboy

    westlaunboy Pundit (882) Mar 31, 2010 Washington
    Trader

    Seems like last year it started popping up as early as September, so hopefully OP won't have to wait too long. It's also much-improved with ~1 year on it, though that's probably not a surprise. Never had it more than 16 months old or so, but I imagine it keeps getting better.
     
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  6. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    I completely agree with your assessment of it aging well. Back in the day when I was still in to collaring I let a few bottles sit for four years, and they were amazing when I finally drank them.
     
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  7. Beertsipper

    Beertsipper Pooh-Bah (1,707) Nov 18, 2008 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    The only beer I can get locally from Bell's is Two Hearted. I hope they can expand their distributorship so I can try their old ale. What's a good age for Old Curmudgeon? One to two years? Or perhaps 6 months?
     
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  8. HeadyTheElder

    HeadyTheElder Maven (1,276) Nov 3, 2012 Louisiana
    Trader

    You joined this site in 2008 and are just now trying an Old Ale??

    Interesting.
     
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  9. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    North Coast Old Stock is amazing.. I highly recommend it..
     
  10. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Really good stuff, but it's a barleywine.. it's still definitely worth checking out though..
     
  11. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The Bourbon Barrel version is the top rated Old Ale with more than 1 review. Personally, I preferred the non BB one.
     
  12. ubenumber2

    ubenumber2 Maven (1,457) Sep 1, 2012 Arkansas

    Old Ales and Barleywines are my favorite two styles , I hunt them down at every chance
     
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  13. Donco

    Donco Pooh-Bah (1,639) Aug 12, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I love North Coast Old Stock (have yet to try Bells or Founders old ales).....I loved the bottle of Old Stock I tried so I bought a case (2012). After a couple of bottles I thought it was a bit "hot" so I have aged them over 6 months and they are mellow and wonderful now. Highly recommended.
     
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  14. Kuaff

    Kuaff Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2013 Alaska

    Totally. I had one from 2011 a few nights ago. Very, very tasty... especially with some age.
     
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  15. SStein

    SStein Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2012 Colorado

    Bourbon barreled 4D is amazing. If you can't get a hold of it, you won't regret it.
     
  16. Greywulfken

    Greywulfken Grand Pooh-Bah (5,815) Aug 25, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    There is nothing literally like Old Curmudgeon (that I've had) but there are lots of ales like Old Curmudgeon :wink:
    All the stuff mentioned before I either agree with or haven't had.
    Scan the site's listing for American and English barleywines and wee heavies/Scotch ales, too. There's a fair amount of overlap between the styles. Barrel-aged versions of these ales are noteworthy.

    No hard-and-fast rules here, but there are opinions :grinning:
    I like the notion of drinking fresh because I am willpower-deficient and have no capacity to store :stuck_out_tongue:, so that's my bias.
    That said, common advice here is to buy two bottles - drink one now, store one for the future. Changes occur in the ale over the span of months and can continue for years.
     
    #16 Greywulfken, Jul 5, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2014
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  17. ScottieD

    ScottieD Initiate (0) Jul 30, 2011 Connecticut

    Hair of the Dog Adam is a perfect example of the style. Delicious in every way.
     
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  18. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

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  19. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Too right! The perfect example is Thomas Hardy Ale and JW Lees Harvest Ale...
     
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  20. FatBoyGotSwagger

    FatBoyGotSwagger Grand Pooh-Bah (3,999) Apr 4, 2009 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you can find it DFH Immort ale reminds me of old curmudgeon. Not an old ale per say, it is listed as an English Strong ale.
     
    KentT likes this.
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