Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Ale (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

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BA SCORE
88
good
-
423 Ratings

rAvg: 3.91
pDev: 11%
Reviews: 286
Hads: 137

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Brewed by:
Smuttynose Brewing Company

New Hampshire, United States

Style | ABV
Old Ale | 10.10% ABV

Availability: Spring. bottle (267), on-tap (18), cask (1).

Notes:
Olive, iconic mascot & spirit guide of our brewery, first appeared on our Old Brown Dog label in 1994 & returned, thirteen years later, to pose for our Really Old Brown Dog, a luscious, malt-rich, full bodied “old ale” featuring deep notes of complex fruit. Much like our beloved Olive, this beer will mellow & age gracefully.

20 IBU

2007 - 7.0%
2008 - 9.3%
2010 - 10.9%

View: Beers (39) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by ksimons:

ksimons

New York

4.1/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-a dark caramel color with a fingers worth of head that leaves a ring of lacing around the top

S-rich malt, caramel and toffee, booze soaked raisins, and some spiciness

T-rich malt, caramel, raisins and other sweet dark fruits, bitter hops, and a decent amount of alcohol warming.

M-medium to full body, medium carbonation, a sweet dry finish

Overall I think this is a pretty decent tasting beer. Big malt body, caramel, light hop bitterness, and a good rich body. I agree aging it would probably make things even better.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 21:12:51 | More by ksimons

More User Reviews:

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5 rDev -4.1%

05-17-2013 14:45:42 | More by twenty5

Falcone

North Carolina

4/5 rDev +2.3%

05-17-2013 05:19:35 | More by Falcone

gdub

Massachusetts

4/5 rDev +2.3%

05-16-2013 14:22:27 | More by gdub

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.35/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Poured in a snifter)
Bottled in 2012
A- The dense glowing garnet body is slightly hazy with a thick carbonation of sticky deep beige cream that clings to the glass with each sip.

S- The cream and toasted malt flavors are pleasant but a bit soft. There is a nutty note that grows a bit and the finish has a sherry hint and some old ale esters come through.

T- The brown candy sugar blends with a raw grain flavor and the finish is slightly dry with an alcohol spice to it. There is a woody hop hint in the finish and the brown malt flavor lingers nicely at the end.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a tight little fizz and a nice alcohol heat that has just a spice heat to it.

O- The spicy and wood is well balanced with nice malt characters that compliment each other. I don’t get any dried fruit character but it has a nice flavor and I think it would age well.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 20:16:45 | More by rhoadsrage

andrewschirmer

Massachusetts

4.25/5 rDev +8.7%

05-14-2013 00:52:05 | More by andrewschirmer

Wamba

Illinois

4/5 rDev +2.3%

05-12-2013 23:11:07 | More by Wamba

Odysseyalien

New Jersey

3.75/5 rDev -4.1%

05-09-2013 21:32:12 | More by Odysseyalien

RedneckBeerz

North Carolina

3.75/5 rDev -4.1%

05-05-2013 09:46:44 | More by RedneckBeerz

Paul68

New Jersey

3.75/5 rDev -4.1%

05-03-2013 23:17:58 | More by Paul68

Elfastball7

New Jersey

4/5 rDev +2.3%

04-29-2013 03:54:11 | More by Elfastball7

danwho

California

3.75/5 rDev -4.1%

04-28-2013 21:57:10 | More by danwho

Ryan_Shannon388

New Hampshire

4/5 rDev +2.3%

04-28-2013 21:46:19 | More by Ryan_Shannon388

Thickfreakness

New York

4.31/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a somewhat murky dark chestnut/mahogany with a nice fluffy tinted head that lasts for a bit, fades gently, and leaves skulls, ribbons, islands and lava flows of thick, chewy lacing.
Caramel, toasted filberts/cashews/almonds, a fun blend of root beer/cream soda, little notes of licorice and marshmallow. I'm picking up Bourbon/vanilla/oak for some reason but I don't believe this is oak aged. Definately grabbing a bit of the alcohol, but it's sweet and understated, not punching you in the nose.
Lots of caramel and a wonderful roasted nut blend. Subtle hints of grapes, butterscotch, raisins, figs, marshmallow, bourbon, vanilla, toasted oak barrels.
Really silky, creamy and smooth just like a great single malt scotch. Not much carbonation, but I don't expect any from an Old Ale. I love the way it envelopes the tongue and gets a bit chewy. Tons of flavor that keeps changing and developing after the swallow.
I couldn't believe this was just sitting on the shelf when I walked in yesterday. This is really deep and complex. Lots of caramel/honey/vanilla/oak/marshmallow sweetness, but a really nice bit of roasted malts and dark fruit. I NEED to grab a few more of these before they dissapear.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 23:06:11 | More by Thickfreakness