American Strong Ale

Seventh Son in Columbus Ohio has a delicious one that is readily available . . . https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/31408/115592/

 

Just tried Arrogant Bastard for the first time last week. I had been bypassing it for some unknown reason. Maybe I was believing the bullshit on their label.
First few drinks were a wonderful slap on the face. Big. Bold. Loved it.
Would love to find more like it Looking forward to what other members will recommend!

 

Not sure I'd call AB an equivalent to a CDA. The closest thing to AB I can think of is Rogue Dead Guy. Not particularly a fan of either.

 

We don't have any locals making Strongs. Boulevard's Plaid Habit was outstanding, but their Grand Cru was even more outstanding.

 

I'm not so sure that seeing new releases of strong ales have declined as such, or whether brewers are just choosing to use the style names of its close cousins, Old Ale and Barleywine when brewing a new beer. (Many of these probably have brewery-only availability.) There is such a fine line in the recipes for these three styles so that it's a blur where one stops and the other begins. But I do agree that there is not so much hype for all three styles, even during the cold winter months. The Russian Imperial Stout category appears to be king of the hill in popularity.

 

Brown Shugga by Lagunitas is good.

 

Strong Ales are the OG hardman beer. I don't always crave them but when I do, no other style will satisfy.

 

I don't think OP was saying AB is similar to CDA stylistically but rather, like the CDA, examples of an American Strong Ale are not easy to find these days and are very far from in vogue.

 

RJ Rockers Bell Ringer is fairly accessible... and a sneaky little b!tch.

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

Althought it hasnt been brewed in a few years Founder's Curmudgeon olde ale has been around forever and was a staple in my fridge to recently. Just think the style isn't a popular one, never really, only to certain drinkers. I personally really enjoy it. Brown Shuga is a bit sweet for my liking but Sucks was pretty decent. Just have to keep your eyes peeled. Far and few people brew one. Also like stated before some breweries blur the lines of a barleywine and the old ale.

 

Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye!

 

I've always been under the impression that American Strong Ale was more of a catch-all than a particularly well-defined style. And just in this thread, references to Hop Rod Rye, Old Curmudgeon, and Arrogant Bastard aren't exactly paining a cohesive picture.

 

AB is very good and right around $10 for 6x16.

I have had the seventh Son but I only get out to Ohio once a year or so at best. I think it was a four pack for around $10.

AB is readily available.

As far as locals , I cant recall seeing any but have not looked.

Enjoy

 

I did a quick scan through the list of "American Strong Ale" beers listed here and came up with 10 Minnesota breweries that have a beer classified as "American Strong Ale" on this site in their active beers lists.

 

I'm a big fan of Strong Ales too, especially with the sudden dominance of the "all hops all the time" hazy juicy NEIPAs, which I'm not a big fan of.

Although I agree that it's a vague category, IMO, a strong ale has a solid malt base with a nice hop bite, which I would describe as a malty IPA.
I would disagree that Old Ales and Barleywines are similar. The former is a deep, rich malt beverage with only enough hops to have their presence felt, like a Stout or Baltic Porter kicked up a notch. The Barleywines I've tried have a strong alcohol presence up front with a fruity flavor.

Currently my faves, (whether they are labeled "Strong Ale" or not) are the aforementioned Seventh Son, Columbus Uncle Rusty, Phoenix Undertaker Imperial Rye IPA and Great Lakes Nosferatu, which is unfortunately a seasonal that is gone almost as soon as it's released.
Also in my category of "malty IPAs" are Lagunitas' WTF (which is supposed to be out now but apparently isn't yet available east of the Mississippi), Undercover Shutdown also from Lagunitas, and Alesmith's Double Red IPA..