Learn Beer » Reviews » Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers » Beers

Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

Mild

Mild ale is a traditional style of English ale that is characterized by darker colors, sweetish malt flavors, and subtle hopping levels, all within a lower alcohol frame (typically 3.5 percent ABV). Their purpose is to allow the drinker to get a full quotient of flavor in a “session” beer―a trick to which English ale brewing lends itself readily. In the 1940s, mild was more popular than bitter in English pubs, though it is less common now. U.S. craft brewers occasionally pay homage to this style.

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

89 Black Cat Ale, Moorhouse’s Brewery (England). 3.4% ABV (3/10)
Translucent brown color. Bright roasted nut, dark chocolate and toasted grain aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dryish medium body with excellent depth and intensity. Finishes with a long, roasted coffee and baker’s cocoa fade. A spot-on mild ale with a lot of character.

89 Bear-Ass Brown, Silverton Brewery (CO). 4.2% ABV (3/11)
Pretty ruby mahogany color. Rich chocolate-covered coffee bean aromas and a flavors with a crisp, round, dryish medium body and a long, vibrant, pumpernickel toast and roasted nut finish with light leafy hops. Very tasty.

87 Bristlecone Brown Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (3/11)
Rich copper color. Rich nut bread toast, soy sauce and sunflower seed butter with a round, frothy dryish medium body and a pleasant root vegetable, weak coffee and kale-like hop finish.

Add Your Comments