Benchmark Old Ale
Portland Brewing Company

Benchmark Old AleBenchmark Old Ale
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From:
Portland Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Old Ale
ABV:
9.9%
Score:
89
Avg:
4.02 | pDev: 9.2%
Reviews:
32
Ratings:
35
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 09, 2014
Added:
Jul 25, 2003
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by uturn from Florida

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by WynnO from Florida

Aug 26, 2012
Photo of udubdawg
Reviewed by udubdawg from Kansas

4.32/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
found 3 of these 22 oz bombers from 2003 in my stash recently. Looks like I've forgotten about it over the past few years. Reading the recent reviews I'm not encouraged, but let's see...

Pours a coppery amber color. First glass is quite clear, 2nd has, despite my best efforts, quite a bit of yeast sediment - most of this would dissipate into the beer and color it darker with a hazed appearance. Nice initial 3/4 inch off-white head but little retention, and no lace to speak of.

This beer smells very good. Strong, malty, sweet, boozy. Quite a lot of fruit, and a touch of vanilla. Maybe I should have waited until closer to bedtime.

Malty sweet with brown sugar up front. Rich - like carmelized brown sugar and butter. In terms of fruit I'm thinking some plum and apple, but a bit of something a lot sweeter like pineapple. I expected this to be too sweet, but there was a surprising and nice touch of hop bitterness in the finish - sweetness is far from cloying! MUCH better than I expected to say the least! Warming in the stomach, the ABV otherwise rarely shows itself.

Pretty decent creaminess on this beer. Could use a little more body as it sometimes felt a bit thin. Don't remember what carbonation was originally but it is on the low side now.

Surprisingly drinkable. I'll have another soon and see if I'm just rating this so well because of low expectations, but for now I'm extremely pleased. Because of the strength I doubt I'd ever want more than one bomber, but I'll have little trouble finishing this one.
Apr 09, 2007
Photo of mcallister
Reviewed by mcallister from Ohio

4.07/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Anxious too try this brew. Not sure about it's storage but being 4 years old hopefully it was in a cool dark place.

An opaque crimson, with hints of ruby and mahagony. Picture perfect white fluffy retentative head. Thin film of lace.

According to the nose this beer is alive and well. Thick with toffee, brown sugar, maple, wood, and a bit of milk chocolate. Dried fig, with a nutty aspect and a bit of floral hopping also.

Drinking quite well although not as complex as the nose would suggest. Sweet, malty mid palate with a medium body and a bit of alcohol on the finish. Finish is long and full of burnt toffee, and bits of caramel. Brown sugar resides on the mid palate with an dried fig quality over the entire palate. Lacking depth too take it too the next step. However very nice and drinkable. I'm very happy too have a chance to try this brew.
Mar 09, 2007
Photo of fartingdog
Reviewed by fartingdog from Wisconsin

3.87/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz. bottle MMIII - I assume this is '03 vintage. It was hiding in the back storage at Ledger's for a few years.

Slightly hazy orange-copper color, thin head. Looked beautiful against the sunlight. Rich, sweet smell- almost like butterscotch. Thin head.

Initial sharp bite, followed by a slightly fruity, buttery sweetness. left a tinge of bitter and mild hop flavor - felt the alcohol warming after a few secs.

Mouthfeel was a bit thin, almost watery. Not as thick as i'd expect (or hope) for the style. Very watery after-feel, mild carb.

An easy drinker, strong. Not the best example of the style. Overall, not a bad beer.

Note to others- since this is retired, the chance of finding it are slim. If you like strong beers, it may be worth it to give it a shot. They aren't your cup of meat, this is not as syrupy or strong (which i personally like) as others in the style.
Aug 13, 2006
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.87/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
2003 (MMIII) vintage. Flawless rustic orange with a coppery cherry blush and edges of bright, juicy orange. The head is midway between palest ecru and yellowed ivory in color and is surprisingly light and airy. It has enough stiffness to persist, but not enough tackiness to adhere to the glass. The appearance score has more to do with the gorgeous color than with the substandard head. Definitely an odd look for an old ale.

I love the nose. In fact, it's so aromatic that I've been enjoying it ever since the pour without getting my nose anywhere near the glass. Simply put, Benchmark smells like a barley wine. It's richly brown malty and a great deal else besides. It smells like cherry pipe tobacco, brandy-soaked oranges, brown sugar and leather. It's an intriguing potpourri that should translate well to the palate.

Unfortunately, the flavor is let down by a body that isn't up to the task. This beer deserves a thick, rich, chewy body that would allow one to delve into the depths of what should be a fascinating combination of flavors. Instead, it doesn't have a chance to sink in and get comfortable or to linger. It's also too fizzily carbonated; another negative, especially given the style.

Other than that, it's decent beer. Most all of the aromas have counterparts on the palate, though they're much less vibrant and much less distinctive. Cherries and oranges are still present, as is watered-down light brown sugar syrup. Sweet dominates early while bitter edges in on the finish. With much more malt (the single most important fix in my mind) bitter wouldn't stand a chance. In some respects, this beer tastes half-finished.

At least the alcohol, after having had three years to mellow out, is a welcome part of the flavor profile rather than a harsh, raw outsider. It isn't difficult to imagine that this beer was on the hot side when young. I keep sipping and hoping... sipping and hoping... but the change from cellar temperature to room temperature adds nothing of value.

I've been thinking about drinking this bomber of Benchmark Old Ale for some time now, but thought that it was more than capable of aging and would only improve with time. Either I was wrong about that or it was never all that stellar to begin with. I hate it when a beer falls this far short of expectations. Benchmark is no benchmark for the old ale style, that's for sure.
Jun 19, 2006
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Vintage 1999

Pours gold with ruby hints, clear, with a fluffy white head.
Lively carbonation release adds an inch of foam before receding to a partial skim-coat.
Moderate stringy and dotted lacework remains.
Vineous and raisiny in the nose. Pretty straightforward with lightish malt, caramel steeped alcohol, and dried fruit.
Nose finishes up warming, with hints of vanilla, cherries, and buiscuits.
Medium bodied, sticky and a bit chewy. A lingering hop bitterness adds some crispness.
Juicy malt up front on the pallet, followed by rum-soaked raisins and caramel drizzled tangerine.
Hop presence is known, with a fairly aggresive bitterness (after 7 years) balancing out some residuals.
Pallet warms as it finishes, with a heavy barley nod.
Tasty, but lacking the needed level of vineousity and complexity of a great old ale.
May 02, 2006
Photo of CRJMellor
Reviewed by CRJMellor from Arkansas

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours copper with a dash of a little extra red. Big dull-white, puffy head forms and recedes rather quickly but leaves lots of large clumps of sticky lace on the snifter.
Aroma has a highly sweetened caramel note with a touch of hop spiciness and some light resin and pine tars. Some darker citrus fruit notes are in the background waiting to be released as it warms.
Flavor of caramel dominates with a touch of green apple and a measured citrus and resin hop tone. Just a hint of grainy alcohol on the finish.
Mouthfeel is very sweet through front and mid-palate but then abruptly is cut by a tongue numbing and palate coating dry, spciy bittering and some medicinal alcohol. Given it a slightly above medium on the fullness spectrum.
Drinkability is solidly good. Maybe a tad to light to be prototypical to style but a smooth and pleasurable drinking experience.
May 01, 2005
Photo of GCBrewingCo
Reviewed by GCBrewingCo from North Carolina

3.51/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
The beer poured into the glass crystal clear medium to almost deep amber with an off-white to tan head that rose tall and lively and fell very slowly to coat the glass.

The aroma was malty with dark caramel most prominent. Behind the dark caramel resided the dark fruit aromas of raisins and a slight sweet fruit presence. Some muted hop was also of note and a slight alcohol spice.

The flavor was malty with dark caramel and dark fruit flavors, namely raisin. The malt comingled with hop bittering which kept the sweetness perfectly in check. The complexity of those flavors also added in a spice component. Despite the flavors complexity was still on the low side. (Perhaps a bit more aging?) Alcohol was really not present in the flavor.

The finish was just dry with lasting spice into the aftertaste. The body was not quite medium full and unfortunately a bit thin. The alcohol was present in the aroma and in the warming after consumption but was well hidden in the flavor.

22 ounce bottle. MMIII on bottle. Not a bad beer at all, but certainly missing something, namely complexity.
Apr 24, 2005
Photo of Quaffer
Reviewed by Quaffer from Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
22 oz. bottle, vintage 2003.

Appearance: Leaving the sediment behind in the bottle, this beer poured a slightly hazy, amber-red color. The coarse, beige head rose up to a little more than one finger with a rough pour. It sunk down slowly and became thick and dense around the edge of the glass. The remaining foam was sticky and left a lot of nice lace behind.

Smell: Right after the pour, the aroma was thick with sweet malts. After the head had dissipated, this smell continued but lowered a few notches. It also lost some of its sweetness and took on a more roasted quality, which really saved the aroma in my opinion. It was joined by candied fruits, dates and raisins, cherries, and hints of alcohol. A very light layer of vanilla peaked through from time to time.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and buttery smooth. Lightly mouth coating. Overall, a very nice presence in the mouth.

Taste: A very smooth and somewhat subdued beer for how big it is. Sweet malts and vanilla wafers mixed well with tart cherries upfront. These were quickly joined by a balancing hit of hops bitterness, though the overall flavor remained sweet. Raisins and alcohol rose up to mix with the other flavors on the finish. The alcohol was just right at first, but the more I drank, it became a little too strong and started to overpower the other flavors.

A good beer. I'm not usually a big fan of PBC brews so this one really surprised me.
Apr 13, 2005
Photo of ZAP
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota

4.77/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This is a hell of a tasty brew...malt lovers will like it...big sweet delightfull aroma of cookie dough...vanilla...mangos....cantelope...coconuts...and a hint of sweet irish whiskey....as good as the nose is, the taste is even better....outstanding sweet malty flavor without being overdone...same imprsssions as the smell but now I get a little more of a sweet caramel flavor as well....

Body is medium...creamy...ABV is extremely well hidden...drinkability is off the charts...I poured this as a night cap sipper to watch a movie with and it will be gone very fast...

Maybe it's just my personal tastes but I think this is outstanding....one of my favorite beers of all time...top 50 for sure...
Jan 17, 2005
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

4.17/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Lovely appearance, a peachy pale hue, slightly toasted amber, with a respectable 1/2" layer of pale whitish fuzz.
Incredible aroma, deep bourbony character, roasted dark fruits, raisins and dates, burnished cherries almost on the way to brandy, alcohol creeping through with the nuts and berries.
Big, bold flavor, but leaves the palate rather mildly. Buzzes the buds ever so gently, and I'm wondering where the booze went. 9.9% is mighty big, and I could feel it in the nose, but where did it go? Pretty tasty and smooth, I have to say...a bit whiskeyish, with a sidecar of chocolate. Damnitty-damn, but I likes this...very tasty, very mellow...an awesome brew.
As I finish, the whiskey taste, the hot alcohol presence, it all reigns high, but doesn't spoil the drinkability. This is a well-made Old Ale, the way they ought to be made. Very nice.
Dec 21, 2004
Photo of Reidrover
Reviewed by Reidrover from Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
OK had some extra cash in pocket so at last i can splash out on this( its $.5.99 a bottle).
Classy screen printed bottle witha roman coin and the Latin year date "MMIII" 2003
A very classy looking ale it is,nice warm chesnut brown colour with a nice sized semi-frothy off white head..that sinks fast but leaves a good amount of lacing.
the aroma is quite malty and reminds me of some Scotch Ales ( Skullsplitter comes to mind).Some dark fruitiness in the aroma also.
mm nice taste too again the malts are very nice in this ,but there is no lack of hops also..they strike the tongue half way through the mouthful.then are gone, alcohol is warming in the belly but is not very noticable in the mouth.
Nice smooth mouthfeel with a nice creamy finish.
I liked this beer and found it very drinkable for almost 10% alcohol.
Its good though probably not worth $6.
Dec 19, 2004
Photo of MrNuggets
Reviewed by MrNuggets from Oregon

4.29/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Holy smokin' hops! Big hops on the nose lend to a grapefruit like character. More malt comes through in the taste which makes me appreciate those hops even more. Yes this could use alot more depth in the malt department and all these hops do seem a little odd for an old ale. But this beer tastes great and thats what matters.
Nov 15, 2004
Photo of Rio
Reviewed by Rio from Kansas

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Enjoyed 11/09 for Venom and Davo. Sorry, guys, couldn't find any Beast. :)

Nice, deep copper color, with a decent, tan head that left some nice lacing. Sweet malts and caramels apparent to the nose, as well as a strong aroma of spice at first, which melded nicely with the other aromas as the brew began to warm a bit.

Smooth, sweet malts begin the experience for the tastebuds, followed by a transition to a smooth middle ground of flavor before the hops make their presence known. A bit of the caramel hangs around in the mouth for a bit afterwards. Very smooth, slightly crisp, and a slight thickness to this beer.

It's not a barleywine, but it does have some of the same qualities to it that make me love the barleywine style. Very good beer, and no discernable trace of the 9.9% alcohol.
Nov 10, 2004
Photo of TheLiterati
Reviewed by TheLiterati from California

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Enjoyed a vintage 2003 bottle of this beautiful, coppery amber ale, with a smallish, cream-colored head…gives way to a nice lace.

Aroma and taste hints of barley wine. Has a spicy, fruity scent, with sweet, almost syrupy undertones, and a flowery finish. Smooth and malty, with a tangy taste that lingers on the palate long after the last effervescent swallow.

Has a little after burn like a well aged scotch whiskey.

Drinkability is OK, but the overall the taste is reminiscent of "hard liquor" as my grandma would say.
Oct 30, 2004
Photo of merlin48
Reviewed by merlin48 from Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
2003 vintage here. Attractive, screened, bottle as pictured. This old ale pours a clear, bright copper body with a sticky, one finger head that retains for several minutes before falling to cap and patchy ring lace.
Aroma begins with a huge caramel maltiness, but quickly grows more complex. Butterscotch, citrus hops, and oranges add an interesting balance to the nose. No ethanol in the aroma.
Mouthfeel is very good, with tingling carbonation and a medium to full body.
Taste has a malty dominance with lots of caramel and toffee. Hops presence is adequate for balance and wavers between peppery herbs and citrusy orange. I keep picking up orange flavors in the taste, as well as through retro-olfaction. Interesting, and pleasant, though unusual for style. Enough hops bittering to even out the prevalent malt dominance. Alcohol warming creeps into the scene toward the finish, a prodding reminder that this is almost 10%.
This one is interesting for an old ale, and I enjoyed the orange accents which compliment the heavy malt profile quite well. Dangerously drinkable.
Oct 29, 2004
Photo of ManekiNeko
Reviewed by ManekiNeko from Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz. bottle served lightly chilled in a Rapscallion goblet.

Appearance: Dark reddish copper topped by a fluffy offwhite heat that receded to a small layer of foam. Thick sheets of lacing left on the glass.

Smell: Wonderfully balanced boquest of caramel malts, fruity esters and citric/piny hop aromas.

Taste: Brash peppery hops on the start (and pretty much throughout) giving way to toasted biscuit malts. Pine sap and breads on the finish. Not overtly alcoholic in taste, but it's there.

Mouthfeel: Solid medium body with longlasting aftertastes.

Drinkability: Lives up to its name and then some. Maybe a bit lacking in complexity maltwise to be truly awesome, but the other components make up for it.
Sep 14, 2004
Photo of Boilermaker88
Reviewed by Boilermaker88 from California

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I bought this 22oz bottle almost six months ago and let it sit until last night. Poured into an imperial pint glass, Benchmark had a dark ochre color topped with a firm, resilient vanilla-hued head.
The nose had a real sweet caramel malt aroma underscored by a variety of fruity scents - red delicious apples, hints of cherries and nectarines - and an even deeper herbal spiciness. Some modest alcohol fumes were present but nothing that indicated a 9.9%ABV or were unpleasant.
The taste was pretty sweet up front with a lot of candy sugar notes over more fruit. The grains came through briefly mid-palate before morphing to a fairly assertive herbal hoppiness. This bittering became more pronounced and longer-lasting with each taste, especially as the brew warmed. A slight alcohol burn was noted in the throat. The feel was medium in body, smooth and leaving a slight sizzle on the tongue.
Benchmark Old Ale was quite drinkable. For a nearly-10.0% beer, it doesn't jump right up an punch you in the face with the alcohol, a refreshing, if dangerous, departure from a number of recent high-ABV brews I've had. Benchmark would rather sneak up and ambush you. Worth giving a try if you spot it.
Aug 31, 2004
Benchmark Old Ale from Portland Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 35 ratings