English Ales: Old Ale
Notes: Low level attributes typical of wood aging such as vanilla are acceptable. Brettanomyces and acidity reflect historical character; low level attributes such as horsey, goaty, leathery, phenolic, etc. and acidity may be present and balanced with other flavors. Residual flavors that come from liquids previously aged in a barrel, such as bourbon or sherry, should not be present. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, competition organizers may choose to split this category into subcategories which reflect strong and very strong versions, or historic and modern versions.
- Color: Copper-red to very dark
- Clarity: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
- Malt Profile: Fruity esters can enhance and complement the malt aroma and flavor profile. Old Ales have malt and sometimes caramel sweetness.
- Hop Profile: Very low to medium
- Bitterness: Present but minimal
- Fermentation: Fruity esters can contribute to the character of these beers. Alcohol types can be varied and complex. A distinctive quality of Old Ales is that they undergo an aging process, often for years. Aging can occur on their yeast either in bulk storage or through conditioning in the bottle. This contributes to a rich, wine-like and often sweet oxidized character. Complex estery attributes may also emerge. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at very low levels.
- Body: Medium to full
- ABV: 6.3%-9.1%
- ABW: 5.0%-7.2%
- IBU: 30-65
- Color (SRM): 12-30
- Color (EBC): 24-60
- Original Gravity: 1.058-1.088
- Original Gravity °P: 14.3-21.1
- Final Gravity: 1.014-1.030
- Final Gravity °P: 3.6-7.6
Style info provided entirely or in part by the Brewers Association 2021 beer style guidelines.
12 Old Ale Reviewed
Highest Rated In Style
- 9.76 Fruet by The Bruery
- 9.21 Fourth Dementia by Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
- 9.00 Curmudgeon by Founders Brewing Company
- 9.00 Old Stock Ale by North Coast Brewing Company
- 8.70 Auld Asheville Vintage Ale by Highland Brewing Company
- 8.50 Third Coast Old Ale by Bell's Brewery, Inc.
- 8.23 Grandpa's Got a Gun by O'so Brewing Company
- 8.06 Barrel Aged Hibernation by Great Divide Brewing Company