Mad Tom's Old Ale - John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a murky dark amber hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a nutty maltiness with a slight caramel.

The taste consisted of soft malts, some dry cocoa, subtle dark fruit and a light caramel sweetness.

The mouthfeel was toward the softer and lighter end of the style. Very smooth and dry.

Overall a tasty and user friendly malt driven ale.

Serving type: on-tap
@ John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House, 2093 Smithhaven Plaza, Lake Grove

01-25-2010 23:26:08 | More by plaid75

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap and on cask at JH. Pours clear brown with a thick off white head. The cask version was very plain and bland and all I could really get out of it was some citrusy hops and general caramel malt. The tap version had an aroma of nutty malt and peanuts. Flavor of roasted nuts, caramel malt, and apples. It was definitely preferred to the cask version. Very drinkable and enjoyable.
7/4/7/4/14 (3.6/5)

Serving type: on-tap
@ John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House, 2093 Smithhaven Plaza, Lake Grove

12-12-2008 19:00:27 | More by LilBeerDoctor

BBM

New York

3.4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

John Harvard's attempt at an Old Ale isn't without its merit, but I think they just slightly missed the boat. The beer pours a dark, cloudy brown with ruby highlights. The aroma isn't very pronounced, but there are hints of caramel and nuts.

The flavor really borders more on the Brown Ale line than you'd expect. A roasted nuttiness is followed by a rather large malt backbone, and a slightly alcoholic finish. Caramel and toffee flavors are noticeable as well. Mouthfeel is crisp and clean. Overall this isn't a bad beer to have with some food, and it's a decent example of an Old Ale.

Serving type: on-tap
@ John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House, 2093 Smithhaven Plaza, Lake Grove

02-27-2007 15:19:54 | More by BBM