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

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

96 Imperial Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (2/11)
Cloudy chestnut brown color. Aromas of chocolate cookie dough, honey roasted nuts, date bread and dried citrus with a chewy, finely carbonated fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, rich mocha, grilled root vegetable and grapefruit and peppery mesclun-like hops. Powerful, deliciously balanced and super drinkable.

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 G’Knight Imperial Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (2/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of buttery caramel, orange marmalade on raisin nut toast and pine blossoms with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with an exotic tropical custard, radish and grassy, mint-accented finish. Very attractive and flavorful.

92 Singleton Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 8.3% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant medium amber color thin 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 Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7.4% ABV (2/11)
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Aromas of omelet, roasted nuts, figs and honeyed pumpernickel toast with a supple, satiny medium-full body and a tangy citrus marmalade, edamame and peppery, grassy hop finish. A very attractive and amped-up take on the highly drinkable bitter style. Yum.

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 King Goblin Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 6.6% ABV (2/11)
Deep brilliant copper mahogany color. Aromas of sassafras, sour cherry jam and honeyed fruit cake with a supple, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a zesty baked citrus, toasted nut, wet copper ore and grass finish. Beautifully balanced and lively; will be great at the table.

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.

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.

88 Double Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.2% ABV (2/11)
Dark reddish brown color. Pleasant cocoa-mocha, raisin nut toast and dried citrus aromas and flavors with a round, dryish medium-to-full body and a baked apple, pepper, coffee grounds and arugula accented 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.

86 Mogul Madness, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Deep reddish mahogany finish. Aromas of cocoa, roasted pecan and date cake with supple, soft dryish medium body and a roasted and creamed corn-accented, grilled turnip and pepper finish.

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