Cellar Worthy: OLD ALEs

Not sure if it's still brewed, but currently drinking a 2010 Arcadia Ales - Big Dick's Olde Ale

 

(BA)& 4D, third coast all age very well beyond 3 years in my experience.

 

Count me as another who loves to have Founders Curmudgeon aged at least a year. JMHO, there is not a beer that improves more significantly in one year than Curmudgeon. If you like oak barrel notes, then drink it fresh. One year is all it takes to mute the oak and the caramel leather notes are enhanced.

 

Straight to Ale makes some really good Old Ales that cellar well

 

A lot of American Strong Ales are very similar to Old ales, specially the darker fruity ones. Fred , Double Bastard and hairy eyeball immediately come to mind as ones that only get better with time.

 

Hairy Eyeball couldn't get worse...

 

I feel all of the Old Ales listed below got better with age. The Old Ales are listed in order of preference [top down].

Old Ales
- North Coast Old Stock - still have 2006 [13.25 abv]
- Bells Third Coast Old Ale
- Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale
- Great Divide Hibernation Old Ale

 

North Coast Old Ale is the "American Thomas Hardy Ale." IMHO.