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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Styles

The Changing Definition of Style

Mild Ale

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). Its 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.

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 Bear-Ass Brown FCB, 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.

86 Tiger’s Eye, Blue Heron BrewPub (WI). 4.2% ABV (2/13)

Bronze color. Aromas of chocolate coated biscuit and mocha with a very supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a touch of toasted fruitcake, jicama and latté on the finish. A solid, clean mild.

82 Bar Sinister Mild Ale, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 4% ABV (5/11)

Deep reddish brown color. Elusive aromas of over-roasted whole nuts, fish bones, canned peas and cranberry bread toast with a supple, dryish medium body and a blackstrap molasses, singed soybean and dusty black licorice-driven finish. Different.

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