Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

2010 British and North American Ales

Cultural Exchange

Strong Ale

Strong ales are sometimes referred to as old ales, stock ales or winter warmers. These beers are higher alcohol versions (typically between 5.5-7 percent ABV) of pale ales, though not as robust or alcoholic as barley wines. Usually a deep amber color, these brews generally have a sweet malty palate and a degree of fruitiness. If bottle conditioned, strong ales can improve for several years, in some cases eventually obtaining sherry-like notes.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Double Dead Guy, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/10)
Deep lightly hazy amber color. Aromas of peanut shells, candied apricot, cocoa and earth follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with clay, brown sugar and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a long, warming mineral, pinecone and dried citrus fade. Very balanced and rich; try with sausages.

94 Imperial Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/10)
Ruby amber color. Rich melted toffee aromas follow through on a sumptuous entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with gobs of chocolate-covered sour cherries and dried fruits. Finishes with a long, coffee buttercream and pink peppercorn fade. Massively delicious.

94 Gordon Imperial Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (3/10)
Copper color. Intense kumquat and grapefruity peel aromas have a delicate brioche back note and follow through on a rounds, satiny entry to a dryish medium-full body with light molasses and buttery caramel cake notes. Finishes with a long, chewy orange and peach marmalade-accented fade. A big and tasty hop and malt explosion.

93 Traquair Jacobite Ale, Traquair House Brewery (Scotland). 8% ABV (2/08)
Dark brown color. Deep spicy aromas of coriander, ginger, candied orange and sweet soy follow through to a fruity medium-full body with praline and a mélange of potpourri and baking spices. A richly spicy and fun strong ale.

93 Gordon Double Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (2/08)
Deep cooper color with a persistent, celestial mousse. Rich, delicious aromas of honeyed apricot and citrus compote, warm caramel and bright herbal hops. A rich but silky entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body with cocoa butter, spice, dried fruit and roasted nut toast flavors. Finishes with a long, elegant interplay of creamy malt and supportive spicy and herbal hops. A delightful giant of a sipper.

92 Singleton Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 8.3% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant medium amber color thin with a blanket of fine foam. Aromas of orange blossom honey, spice, praline and leather follow through on a pillowy plush entry to a very fruity full body with layers of golden raisins, orange marmalade on buttered rye toast and sautéed peaches. Finishes with a long, pepper and mineral ore-accented fade with firm citrus and pine-tinged hops. A fresh and lively strong beer.

92 Mogul Madness, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.6% ABV (3/10)
Dark reddish copper mahogany color. Spicy mole, pine needle and dried berry aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with honeyed dried grapefruit and whole nut notes. Finishes with a long, astringent woody pine and citrusy hop fade.

91 Maximus, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (2/09)
Deep reddish brown color with a wispy taupe head. Interesting aromas of molasses, coffee, pork rind, dried black cherry and bread pudding follow through of a round, velvety entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with dried currant, maple syrup and roasted nut notes. Finishes with a long molasses and licorice fade. A tasty rich and balanced strong ale.

91 Double Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.2% ABV (3/10)
Deep brown color. Mocha, wood, dried fruit and tangy honeyed citrus aromas and flavors on a rich, chewy medium-full body with a peppery, dried meat and cocoa powder-accented fade. Rich, toffeed malt makes this a pleasure to drink.

90 Stegmaier Holiday Warmer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 8.1% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber copper color. Spicy cinnamon raisin toast and peach pie crust aromas. Follow through on a velvety, frothy entry to a fruity medium-full body with excellent depth, balance and a refreshing mineral, brown sugar, peppercorn and candied yam fade. Nice.

90 Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7.4% ABV (3/10)
Lightly hazy deep amber copper color. Rich chocolate-covered peach, lemon gelato and nut bread toast aromas follow through on a chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with brown sugar, soy bean and pepper notes. Finishes with a long, astringent and reedy hop fade.

89 Red Ale, Otro Mundo Brewing (Argentina). 7.5% ABV (2/09)
Slightly hazy amber color. Aromas of toasted grains and caramelized macadamia nuts, floral honey and peach follow through on a soft, frothy entry to an off-dry full body with candy corn, sweet citrus and apricot compote notes, and a legume and collard green note on the pepper jelly on toast finish.

87 Natty Imperial Red Ale, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 8% ABV (3/10)
Deep russet mahogany color. Aromas of roasted meat, licorice and dried apples and pears follow through on a smooth, satiny entry to a dryish full body with nice depth and balance. Finishes with a tangy citrusy and wood piney hop fade.

85 Anniversary Ale, Willoughby Brewing Co. (OH). 10% ABV (2/08)
Orange bronze color. Rock candy, ginger gelatins and mixed fruit marmalade on Hawaiian toast aromas. A silky entry leads to a lightly effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of orange honey on raisin roast flavors with a layer of sweet spice. Finishes with quick sweet orange and peppery spice fade with lingering warmth and prickly heat. A good effort at a Belgian-style strong or triple.

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