Topic Archives: Old Ales
Monday Night set to release 14 month bourbon barreled ‘Last Will and Testament’
Monday Night Last Will and Testament will join the Atlanta brewery’s lineup on September 22nd.
Old ale isn’t necessarily “old” per say. Many of these old world styles have aged for some time in wood vats. One of the most famous British examples is Gale’s Prize Old Ale.
The old ale style has evolved over the decades and centuries. Almost always malty and strong, some of the famous examples in the United States are North Coast Old Stock Ale, Founders Curmudgeon, or Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale. (Incidentally, Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half, a barrel aged edition of this beer is on shelves now after 6 years.)
Monday Night’s interpretation of the style is malty and strong (11.5% alcohol by volume), and perhaps a little “old” as well – aged 14 months in bourbon barrels. Why “Last Will & Testament?” Perhaps an allusion to old age. Good to have one.
Monday Night Last Will & Testament will be available in 16.9-ounce bottles at the brewery’s Garage location on September 22nd.
Style: Old Ale (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16.9oz Bottles
Debut: 9/22/18
11.5% ABV
Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half is as great as we remember it
Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half, originally the third release in the brewery’s Backstage Series, returns in August.
The grumpy “Curmudgeon” on the label is best known for appearances on hiatus old ale by the same name. In February 2012, the brewery released Curmudgeon’s Better Half as a part of their Backstage Series, now known as the Barrel-Aged Series.
Curmudgeon’s Better Half is the familiar old ale brewed with molasses and aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. (Similar to Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout.) Fan demand prompted the return of this boozy treat.
Six years later, how is it? Let’s take it back to December. Christmas saw the return of another legendary beer in Founders lineup – Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS). The fans clamored and traded for it like it would cure cancer. The reviews ended up being a little mixed, and here’s our theory why. It’s been a quite a while since the last release, and so many barrel-aged beers have come and gone in that time span. Folks built it up in their minds over the years to a level CBS couldn’t achieve, no matter how good it actually was.
Curmudgeon’s Better Half was pretty great in our opinion six years ago and really hasn’t been subjected to this mental buildup over the past half decade. We never thought we’d see it again. With the first sip, we are instantly reminded of the subtle beauty of this beer. There aren’t a lot of old ales running around breweries these days. The original Curmudgeon was brewed with molasses and had a touch of sweetness that mixes with hints of brown sugar and caramel. This version aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels didn’t throw “Better Half” over the top. Each sip is a subtle symphony of vanilla oak, sweet maple, caramel malt, with a finishing alcoholic heat and lingering sweetness. A slow sipper after dinner, or in a rocking chair on a porch as the sunsets. Our love affair was rekindled immediately.
Every year, the brewery plans to bring new creations to their coveted Barrel-Aged Series, but a few releases from the past beg to be re-released. Founders fans have been begging for Curmudgeon’s Better Half to return since it’s release 6 years ago. “This was a beer that needed to get back into the rotation,” says Barrel Maestro, Jason Heystek.
Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half will make its return starting August 24th in the new 12-ounce bottle format, 750-milliliter bottles, as well as draft.
Style: Old Ale (w/ Molasses. Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml bottles, 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: February 2012
Latest Return: 8/24/18
12.7% ABV, 35 IBUs
Three Taverns Third Age, aged in sherry kicks off the new year
Three Taverns Third Age, a barrel-aged old ale, will debut in January.
The strong ale has been aging in PX Sherry barrels, resulting in a very “intense” flavor experience according to the brewery.
…rich with the aroma and flavor of dark fruit, caramel and the intense complexities of sherry and oak.
Earlier this month, Helm’s Deep, another strong barrel-aged beer was released on a special tour at the brewery.
Three Taverns Third Age made a preview appearance at Atlanta’s Strong Beer Fest. 750 milliliter bottles will be available on a ticket tour at the brewery on January 14th, 2017.
Style: Old Ale (Barrel Aged. Sherry.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Debut: 1/14/17
11% ABV
Mammoth Brewing Charley’s Revenge
Mammoth Brewing Charley’s Revenge
Cigar City Slow As Molasses, a Swamp Head Collab
Cigar City Slow As Molasses, a collaboration with Gainesville, Florida’s Swamp Head Brewery.
Cigar City Slow As Molasses is an old ale, brewed with Florida molasses. Proceeds will benefit the Florida Brewers Guild, who has been busy lately fighting against legislative moves that could damage how craft breweries do business in the state.
The Florida Brewers Guild has been a catalyst for growth of Florida’s craft beer industry since its inception in 1996. The guild helps brewers around Florida band together to fight for legislation that helps our collaborative industry continue to grow. This collaboration brew, and others of its kind that will arise, is a tribute and fundraiser for our friends at the FGB. We like to think of it as an attaboy in a bottle.
Cigar City Slow As Molasses is a 22 ounce bottle offering. This is part one of a two part collaboration series between the two brewers.
This offering has been officially announced by the brewery.
Style: Old Ale (w/ Molasses)
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Release: TBA
?? ABV
Clown Shoes The Ballad of Minnie Quay, Bottled For Michigan
Clown Shoes Beer (Ipswich, MA) has bottled their next barrel-aged offering, The Ballad of Minnie Quay.
Minnie is an old ale, aged in port and whiskey barrels. Why stop at one barrel when you can have two? Clown Shoes is barrel aging the sh!t out of everything, and it’s working.
Minnie Quay’s love died in 1852 when his ship went down. Heartbroken, she dove into rough water to her death. Minnie’s ghost can be seen roaming the beaches Forester; she waits near the dock for the ill fated ship. This old ale, aged in port/whiskey barrels, honors Minnie and Michigan. Minnie, we hope for you to find peace.
Clown Shoes Ballad of Minnie Quay is available in 22oz bottles.
Style: Old Ale (Barrel Aged. Port, Whiskey.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Release: March, 2015
11% ABV
Embrace the Funk Indomitus Dolium Ale Releases 12/13
Embrace the Funk, Yazoo Brewing’s wild and sour division, releases Indomitus Dolium Ale on Saturday December 13th.
Indomitus Dolium Ale is a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Barrel Company, provided rare Cognac barrels from France. The base beer is an old ale, with Brettanomyces.
…Dark Ruby in color with warming cherry and dark fruit notes. A secondary addition of classic “Old World” Brettanomyces strains will continue to evolve in the bottle.
Style: Old Ale (Barrel Aged. Cognac)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: 12/13/14
?? ABV
