Best Old Ale

If BBA counts I have to go with fruet.

 

I've only had Adam once, but I can't remember having something so complex in a long time. The smoke and leather taste really blew me away.

 

So that means most of them are mislabeled, right?

If 80 percent of breweries decided to start calling their brown ale "IPA," that wouldn't make them IPA's.

 

Fullers Vintage
Scotch de Silly (barrel aged is even better)
Adam

 

I absolutely love Adam-it's one of my favorite beers of all time and I definitely recommend trying it, but I wouldn't call it an old ale. If you're looking for a beer that is anything like any other beer from the category (and yes, I realize that, even for beer styles, this is a particularly vague category), Adam will not meet your expectations. I think it's just labelled an old ale on this site because there really isn't any category that it fits.

As for beers that I would actually consider old ales, Thomas Hardy's, Old Stock, Hibernation, Fuller's Vintage, and Curmudgeon are my faves. Then again, I didn't really like BA4D (never had the regular version), so maybe our tastes are just different.

Again, not knocking Adam, as it is an undeniably great beer, just a totally different style.

 

In addition to Fuller's Vintage ale, I'll give a big nod to Ipswich Whipple House Old Ale. I just wish they'd make it again.

 

Foggy Noggin Brewing's Anniversary Ale is a true English Old Ale. It was brewed with the intent to be aged anddoes beautifully. It's released yearly on the breweries Anniversary in March. Get your hands on some to drink now and save for aging.

 

4D is crazy good, but I'll go Old-School Authentic with my choice and pick 80's Thomas Hardy's..OMG

 

Though certainly not a traditional old ale, Better Half is mighty tasty.

 

Is CBH ever coming back?

 

More importantly, how about CBS?

 

GD Hibernation, Avery Old Jubilation, CCB Warmer Winter Winter Warmer and Harviestoun Ola Dubh 16 are among my favorites. Cuir was very good. Haven't had Fruet yet but, due to this thread and many other threads containing posts that praise the shit out of it, I've decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on the $33 bottle that keeps staring at me every time I go into my favorite bottle shop. Thanks all you Fruet-loving BAs, my wallet now hates you.

 

Great Divide's Hibernation ale is one of my favorite beers

 

Harviestoun Ola Dubh 40, mostly because it's one of the only old ales I've tried.

 

Fruet is my highest rated.

 

Adam from the Wood

 

Of course it would! See here

 

Another vote for Hibernation. Great Divide does everything correctly.

 

Old Stock is my go-to. I like it better than barrel aged Old Stock. I'd like to revisit Adam soon.

Narke and Haandbrygeriet (sp?) did one; it was an acquired taste.