Olde Suffolk English (Strong Suffolk Vintage) Ale - Greene King / Morland Brewery

saintwarrick

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark red which has been typical of most of the old ales I've tried. Brandy-ish scent is very heavy in the smell. Taste doesn't overhwelm, but hints of brandy and raisins are easily detectable. Much more drinkable than my other favorite old ale, Thomas Hardy. Not quite a session beer, of course, but if you're looking to have 1-2 beers one night, this is definitely recommended. An all-around solid old ale that's easy to find.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2006 08:28:12 | More by saintwarrick

Bill235

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

05-09-2013 19:27:32 | More by Bill235

mychalg9

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1%

04-27-2013 01:59:42 | More by mychalg9

SLeffler27

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear, rich, dark copper brown, with ruby highlights. A slight, rocky head builds from ample carbonation which also clings to the glass. As the carbonation dissipates from the glass, the beer takes on more of a dark, ruby color.

Sweet malt is accompanied by dates, figs, and sun-baked oak. After a few sips, the aroma takes on the distinct character of caramelized sugar.

Toasted malt with a hint of bitterness and light spice. Sun-dried raisins with light, lingering malt bitterness is a nice, subtle touch. Warmth brings out cola and nuts.

The medium body is contrasted by a sharp texture with light alcohol and ample carbonation.

This one was enjoyed from a Dogfish Head snifter over a quiet half hour before dinner while listening to classical music. A rare stolen moment in time. This ale would likely pair well with lamb.

Aged 3.5 years in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 14:48:11 | More by SLeffler27

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.19/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A blend of two ales, one aged in oak vats for 2 years. Poured from a bottle into a Fuller's Pub Pint. The pour is clear and dark, dark brown with very little light getting through. It sports a nice rocky head that dissipates quite fast. The nose is a bit sulfery at first, but once it de-gasses a bit you get some rich, sweet toffee and treacle notes and bready aromas. No alcohol is evident.

The beer has a medium body and nice, sweet, malt-forward flavor. It is all about the malt. Sweetness dominates but the beer is not cloying or syrupy at all. Wonderful earthy flavors of bread, oak, toffee, caramel, nuts, and molasses slide all over the palate. You also get just a hint of dark fruit. The flavors become just a little dry right in the back of the mouth and you get a little spice just as you swallow. The feel is firm and silky.

A very traditional beer. Not to be confused with a barleywine or modern-day booze bomb. No roasty bitterness and very little in the way of hops. Just lots of rich, chewy malty goodness.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 00:15:45 | More by deadonhisfeet

tonton

Hong Kong

4/5  rDev -1%

03-31-2013 03:17:00 | More by tonton

RochefortChris

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +23.8%

03-31-2013 02:13:01 | More by RochefortChris

BAsbill

California

4/5  rDev -1%

03-30-2013 04:26:57 | More by BAsbill

Seaba

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1%

03-01-2013 14:13:37 | More by Seaba

imperiallibations

California

4/5  rDev -1%

03-01-2013 08:39:11 | More by imperiallibations

ChicagoNick

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -38.1%

02-27-2013 19:35:48 | More by ChicagoNick

quakeroatmealstout

New York

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

02-24-2013 23:30:04 | More by quakeroatmealstout

Beerstorian

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

02-17-2013 13:33:42 | More by Beerstorian

stone3187

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

02-06-2013 20:59:26 | More by stone3187

pkalix

California

4.93/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

deep, dark mahogany. a little head at first but dwindling to virtually nothing, although it does lace fully down the sides when tilted....
last guy said it smells like vanilla and wet grass and really hit it on the head with that description...
taste is a sweet malt-y, vanilla-y. very nice and very tasty, but i agree with the other guy in that the 'aging' might be the brew's downfall. it seems to create a slight funkiness, and a tad bitter that just doesnt mesh well. but that only takes it down from a perfect score. this brew has some wonderful qualities and is very pleasing. it feels a bit thin but that can easily be taken in stride.
overall, this is a beautiful drink. and at 6% it's relatively promising. i love the sweetness- it's like a dopplebock but has an entirely different set of parameters. i have a suspiciousness against myself for wanting to award another set of strong 5's in two beers in a row. and after much consideration, i have to admit this is an outstanding brew and i have no 2nd thoughts in rating this very highly. let me know what you think. i recommend this completely and will purchase a few more tomorrow to affirm what i feel now!

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 03:51:28 | More by pkalix

matjack85

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

01-31-2013 22:29:39 | More by matjack85

DmanGTR

New York

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

01-29-2013 04:25:21 | More by DmanGTR

cliff1066

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

01-04-2013 17:11:47 | More by cliff1066

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Oooh...and English old ale. yes please.

Pours a light brown. Nice 2 finger head. Looks rich.

Aroma is sweet. Caramel, malt, some vanilla and wet grass.

Flavor is good, albeit a bit one sided. It seem the oak vat aging renders most of the flavors. The malt is thin, and with the low carbonation it just about disappears. Some smoke. Caramel and vanilla are the main culprits. It is very smooth.

I like this one. Something keeps me from loving it. I think it's the aging--just wonder what the original brew is like.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 22:41:56 | More by Mebuzzard

rangerred

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass out of a 500ml clear bottle.

Pours a clear very dark brown with a one finger medium tan head. Head fades away rather quickly leaving a little bit of lacing.

Aroma is wonderful. Lots of butterscotch and caramel along with a rich wood character that is quite appealing. There is quite a bit of dark fruit typical of English ales and some burnt toast. A little molasses as well; quite a bit going on.

The flavor starts out a little sweet with dark brown sugar and molasses with the same burnt toast that was present in the aroma. The wood is a little less prominent and is way in the background. Dark fruit and some yeast character is present along with a decent dose of grassy hops. There is a moderate assertive bitterness to balance out the sweetness and it works nicely.

Overall, a really nice beer if not exactly Earth-shattering. I enjoy the added depth from the blending of wood-aged beer but it is just missing a little something. It is still nicer than your typical English ale and I appreciate that it is not skunked despite the clear bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 04:50:58 | More by rangerred

Pecan

California

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

12-20-2012 16:35:58 | More by Pecan

Harkrank

Sweden

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

12-08-2012 14:02:11 | More by Harkrank

doktorhops

Australia

3.48/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Olde Suffolk English Ale has been sitting patiently at the back of the fridge, biding its time, until I decide it is a glorious day for a classic vintage ale. That day is today. Hail to the king baby.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: Presents with a deep slight cloudy burgundy body and a minimal tan lacing.

S: Aroma is upfront with dark fruit; figs, plums, dates, a bit of molasses and some burnt caramel. This is then followed with a hint of brandy, faint earthy hops, and woody oak in the finish. Expecting a big sugar hit based on the aroma.

T: Very sweet, very boozy too... quite a bit like the Christmas pudding that is flambé with brandy before serving. It's almost too sweet, even for a sweet-tooth like me. This then follows through the palate with the above mentioned figs, plums, dates, molasses and burnt caramel before ending with some bitter medicinal hops. Aftertaste is that much expected oak. The glaring sweetness of this brew makes it a little one dimensional, and stands out long after the first sip.

M: Medium bodied with flat carbonation which really brings out that slick sugar feel.

D: For an Old Ale it doesn't present much character, bit of a shame really as I had been looking forward to this one. Don't get me wrong though it is a good drop, but it isn't a great drop, and great was what I was expecting from an ale of renown. Theakston Old Peculier is a far better Old Ale.

Food match: Christmas fare; roast turkey, honey glazed ham, sides of roast potato, onion, squash, carrot, peas and a heavy gravy - all are viable options.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 09:04:43 | More by doktorhops

lillieja

4/5  rDev -1%

11-11-2012 02:30:48 | More by lillieja

srandycarter

California

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a somewhat murky brownish orange. Nice small off white head leaves to ring pretty quick. Lots of cling.

S - Spicy, sugary malty nose.

T - Burnt sugar, herbal spiciness, booze is present. Hops are low.

M - Medium body, good carb, pretty good balance.

D - Not my style for a session, but a pretty good example of an old ale, literally made from an older ale and a newer ale, just like in the old days. Fun.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 06:36:44 | More by srandycarter