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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Styles

The Changing Definition of Style

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 sherrylike 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

98 Singleton Strong Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 9.1% ABV (2/13)

Deep amber color. Aromas of peach marmalade on biscuit and delicate orange blossoms and earth with a chewy fruity medium-full body and a tangy, seamless honeyed-roasted corn, lychee and nut-accented finish. A delicious and artfully composed strong ale that will be great with food.

96 Imperial Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (4/11)

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 hops. Powerful, deliciously balanced and super drinkable.

92 Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7.4% ABV (4/11)

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 King Goblin Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 6.6% ABV (4/11)

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 Double Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/12)

Rich amber color. Aromas of pancake with maple syrup and dried pineapple with a soft, frothy fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and crisp, honeycomb and peppery, greens-like hop finish. Very nicely balanced.

88 Double Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.2% ABV (4/11)

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 Mogul Madness, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.6% ABV (3/12)

Deep copper brown color. Aromas of spicy carrot cake, cocoa and dates with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a honeyed citrus peel, watercress and bitter pine cone-accented finish.

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