Autumn Ale - Breckenridge Brewery

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.2/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

What better day to drink Autumn Ale than when it's -6 degrees with a -19 degree wind chill? The label says this beer warms the soul. I hope that it warms the body as well.

Dark brown that becomes darkest russet when backlit. It looks like the chocolate malt and roasted barley were put to good use. The head looks like the inside of a Three Musketeers candy bar, both in terms of color and texture. Sheets of shotgun-riddled lace grace the glass and add visual interest to an already good looking ale.

Where oh where have the chocolate and roasted malts gone? The nose would suggest that nothing darker than Munich malt (the third member of the malt bill, along with pale malt) has been used. The beer is sour fruity and smells nothing like an old ale as far as I'm concerned. Speaking of concerned, I'm now concerned about how good Autumn Ale is going to be. And the answer is...

... not very. That isn't strictly true, but it is a letdown since it still doesn't taste much like an old ale. It tastes like a cross between a porter and an Oktoberfest; more the former than the latter. Sour, dark fruit leads the way; with earthy, dark caramel-coated Munich malt not far behind. It's an odd conglomeration of flavors that doesn't really work.

I'll say one thing for this Breckenridge seasonal, it's an original take on the style. Trouble is, originality is only worth so much and is far down the list from a whole host of things, not the least of which is enjoyable flavor. Warming increases flavor intensity, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

The mouthfeel is fine for a porter, good even, but lacking for the stated style. I've decided to give it the benefit of the doubt since it's one of the beer's best attributes. More viscosity would be great though.

Breckenridge Autumn Ale has failed to warm my body (a minimum of 8% is required for that) and it certainly hasn't warmed my soul. It doesn't remind me of Autumn and it isn't much of an old ale. What's left? A crazy patchwork of a beer that doesn't fit comfortably into any one style, but that is, nevertheless, drinkable in a 'low expectations' kind of way. A better old ale shouldn't be that hard to come by.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2007 15:01:57 | More by BuckeyeNation

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 ounce pint - $5.00 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Served up a clearish, very dark brown body with an inch of light beige froth. Light, very light lacing throughout.

Smell: Aromatic tones of dark malts wrapped in notes of chicory and licorice root with a vague but obdurate fruitiness and background earthiness.

Taste: Dark malts lead with tastes of cocoa and a lightly roasty mix of coarse-ground chicory and licorice powder. Medium-low sweetness. Munich malt-derived caramel arrives somewhat late in the taste. Appleskin and grapeskin fruitiness -- curious! Earthy, mild hop character and bitterness. A bit more fruitiness, chocolate, and "chicorice" before the drying, longish finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied at best. Medium-light carbonation.

Drinkability: Good enough at best, for a beer, but never once did it make me think, "Oh! Now, there's a taste of the Autumn!" There's a taste of something, alright, but not a taste of Autumn.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2009 00:58:34 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

So, is Autumn-Warmer going to be an upcomming catagory? It's not quite a harvest ale because of the moderate hopping (not highly hopped). Not quite a winter warmer (not spicy or the right season). What the beer is, is a really nice non-Oktoberfest Fall-type beer. Quite reminescent of Scottish ales, but light on the peat-smoked malts, but on target with the deep malt profile, toffee / cocoa hints, and moderately high malty texture. Medium hops certainly off-set the sweetness, while adding a mild grassy, piney flavor. Fermentation spices and lactose-like sweetness add character and smoothness. Lingers with a hint of toasty sweetness and hop bittering. Another high quality, well balanced brew from Breckenridge.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 18:18:47 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Walter Payton shaker pint glass.

I actually applaud the American brewers who put out Autumn beers instead of Oktoberfests. This one pours a clear ruby-sienna topped by a finger of sandy khaki foam. The nose comprises maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, dry biscuit, and cinnamon. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some light caramel and some very light toasted rye bread. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a generally smooth feel. Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. It's not all that complex, really, but the simplicity is well-executed.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 14:59:27 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear and very dark brownish amber in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that quickly died down and left some bubbles on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of Munich malts in the nose. Some hints of caramel and molasses become noticeable as the beer warms up.
T: Like the smell, the taste is quite malty and has flavors of caramel and nutty malts along with a light amount of sweetness. No hop bitterness is detectable.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is nice and malty but still quite easy to drink with its lighter bodied; however, it tastes like it is a little one dimensional and could use a little hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 00:18:13 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On the label, "It's special" in an oval, above the rest of the design with Autumn in a bedangled banner, and Ale in a circle surrounded by leaves. Just above the word Autumn, the phrase, "After Rakin'"...so there we have it, this is Breck's autumnal answer to the summertime "lawnmower beer."

Deep dark brown color, thick and cloudy, with a slim, cocoa-tan head above.

Aroma is nutty and sweet, caramel toned, with whispering hints of maple, with the ghost of whiskey underneath.

Climbs on board the palate assuredly and spares no time in lounging around the mouth. Slightly Chewy mouthfeel, flavors of nuts and maple, cocoa, spices...but very mildly pronounced. Fuller bodied, but not so substantial. Warm and tasty, though. Peppery, malty finish.

Put short, a nice transitional ale, as we regrettably leave summer behind and embrace richer, darker tastes, ....it's already chilly out, and October looms overhead. This is a nice, easy drinking ale, and very welcome in my glass.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2005 02:07:07 | More by feloniousmonk

zeff80

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours out a deep black color with a one finger head. It leaves a little lacing.

S - Very malty smell. Roasted aromas, as well.

T - It tastes of coffee and roasted malt. It has a nice bitter quality, too.

M - It is dry and crisp. Medium-bodied.

D - I really enjoyed this beer. I've only had one other Old Ale so I have little to compare it to, but it is quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2006 00:12:54 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap 9/5/2012 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains maple, caramel, roasted malts and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts with sweet flavors of maple, caramel and coffee. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in. There’s a decent hops presence that brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, it’s a solid beer to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 02:21:25 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

BBD indiscernible.

Pours chestnut with 1 finger of mocha colored head. Average head retention & above average lacing

S: Some toasted malt & cocoa

T: Roasted malt with some coffee grounds up front. Dryness, brown sugar & smokeyness, slight fruittyness (apricots & raisins) as this warms along with some tannins. Finishes a bit dry with more coffee grounds, a kiss of leafy hops& a bit of baker's chocolate. Drinks more lake a stout

MF: Medium bodied with low carbonation, a bit of smoothness

Drinks pretty good, but make me think coffee stout, not old ale, so I have to knock it down for taste

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2007 03:59:29 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

American Brown or Munich Dunkel? Hard to say...

Into a tulip it first appears jet black, though when held to the light you can see a glint of smoky dark ruby, that becomes fully crimson when backlit. Fluffy, sticky cap of foam, billowing above the rim of the glass, forming peaks and crags as it slowly settles. Excellent retention, with a sticky sheet of lace that adheres inside the glass.

Nutty malty aroma, dry roasted almonds, tobacco.

Malty and lightly sweet, finishing somewhat dry. Toasty with a bit of malt complexity, little to no bitterness. Fairly straightforward and tasty, though the body is a little thin, supporting the Munich Dunkel theory. Ok, would drink again. Not reinventing the wheel, but not every beer needs to.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 02:42:26 | More by emerge077

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I don't know what's old ale-like about this, it doesn't have the big sweetness and there's a touch of roasted grains. It's not a bad beer, but I find it bland. The undercarbonation doesn't help, but what are you going to do? At least it goes down easy. Out of the winter beers, I'd call this one nice, but forgetable.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2007 01:09:05 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -17%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appears a dark caramel cola colored body with a rich forming tan head flows thick with a nice lace that sticks to the glass evenly with much intricacy. Aromatics offer up somewhat mint like edge black licorice chocolate with spiced bread dough blends of this seasons offerings. Flavor has yeast driven mild chocolate with herbal qualities that result in sweet cloying tones at times, with fruit accents and mineral water hardness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with some prickly carbonation, definitely soothing on the palate. Drinkability does me alright with festive qualities of a winter warmer/old ale this one hits early in the fall not bad at all that bad and even a nice mix up from the typical O fest of the season.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 20:42:49 | More by WVbeergeek

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Capone's...
Appears a dark brown with crimson edges when held to the light. The small, tan head slowly fades out. Scattered bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is caramel, roasted nuts, toffee, mild cocoa, and a touch of graininess.
Taste echoes the aromas with more of a citrusy, floral flavor coming through with a fair share of hopping.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, semi-sweet of toffee, along with a nutty, grainy, mildly bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2007 15:18:49 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep burgandy tone. Thin beige head. Lace is sparse, but overall, the appearance is good. On the nose: Nice toasted malts, nuttiness and caramel character. Nice. The palate continues this theme. The flavor is nutty, pretty thick with malts, bready and sweet. Almost like a bock in nature, but not exactly. Good nonetheless. The body is full and rournded. Pretty much everything about this beer is good.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2005 02:46:17 | More by Bighuge

glid02

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this at Green's in Atlanta.

Pours a very, very dark brown color with a half-finger off-white head that soon dissipates into a thin ring around the glass. There's not much lacing.

Smells alright. At first there's a huge metallic aroma, but as it warms it gets better. There's a slightly sour malt aroma that gets sweeter as the beer warms.

Tastes similar to how it smells. A metallic taste overpowers everything for the first few sips, then goes away to make room for malty flavors. There's a mild bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel is alright. It's kind of thin, but the carbonation is at a good level. Could be a bit smoother.

Drinkability is good. Nothing stands out, but nothing is unsavory except for the metallic taste and smell in the beginning.

Overall this was an alright beer but I won't be buying it again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2008 18:36:53 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a clear deep brown with serious dark ruby highlights, head forms a decent creamy light tan crown to top off the body, lacing thin but secure in its coverage of the glass. Nose has a malt sweet aroma, supported by the caramel, also a tiny bit of hops pokes through, front ambrosial, with a touch of hop bitterness at the back, top is light to medium in feel. Finish has a lenient acidity, the hops apparent, but not over powering, sweet dry aftertaste lingers long on the palate, a nice looking, aromatic and drinkable beer, over the past few years Breckenridge has improved its quality immensely.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2007 22:21:56 | More by Gusler

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got a beautiful pour from this beer, resulting in two fingers of thick, light-tan head. The color was a deep, cola-brown with lovely garnet highlights. The nose had a big malty-sweet presence. The mouthfeel was medium to full and I got a really unexpected smokiness on the tongue. The finish had a slightly sharp quality, followed by a return of that smoky flavor. I just wish that the weather was not so warm because this would be perfect on a more typical autumn day.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2007 19:38:54 | More by woodychandler

kojevergas

California

2.8/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into an imperial pint glass in high altitude Castle Rock, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are moderate.

A: Pours a 1.5 finger head of nice cream, good thickness, and pretty good retention. Colour is a solid black.

Sm: Smells vaguely of cherry. Some amber hops, caramelized/lightly toasted malt is present as well. Lots of malts. A mild strength aroma.

T: Tastes quite malty, with hints of fruit - though perhaps not cherry. The malt is on the whole well handled. I don't care horribly for the caramel. It's pretty simple all around, but pleasant. The malt is too heavy for the balance to be right. The finish is bland and off.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the flavours of the body generally.

Dr: Drinkable but largely unremarkable. I might try it on draught but it's far from special. Only give it a spin if you're a huge fan of the style. Elsewise, move along.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 03:14:22 | More by kojevergas

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.33/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Another pretty average beer from Breckenridge. I keep hoping one of their beers will hit the spot, but really I haven't found one yet with the possible exception of the 471 IPA. This one pours a very dark brown, but with just the faintest head. Fairly roasty in the nose with a hint of cocoa powder, and some gentle malt. A little thin in flavor, especially upfront, but the finish delivers some more of that same moderate roastiness and dusty cocoa. Not a lot of depth, but pleasant enough, I guess. Also relatively gentle in the mouth with a soft finish. Certainly drinkable, but not moreish.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 20:50:30 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Rare Vos Glass

Pours a small light light tan head that fizzles very quickly. No lace. Color is a dark caramel brown.

Aroma: Deep burnt malts, molasses, burnt caramel, some grassy hops. Not too much here.

Taste: A lot of burnt malts. This beer kind of reminds me of a schwarzbeir. A big roasted taste. Burnt caramel with grassy hops. Some chocolate. A little booze shines through. That's about it.

Mouthfeel: Big surprise, very roasted feel, a little crisp from the decent amount of carbonation. Light to medium bodied, despite the dark color. Ends with a big roasted malt aftertaste that I wasn't expecting from the beginning of this beer.

Overall, this beer was a little different than a lot of fall seasonals. I liked that it was original, but it was a tad smokey for me. Still, I'd take this over some of the other seasonals out there.

EDIT: Still trying to figure out how this is an old ale...

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 19:42:15 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Tasted at the Barrelhouse Brewing Company Microbrew Fest on November 9. Pretty color but not much going on in the flavor. I found it neither malty nor hoppy. It was not as good as their Christmas seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2002 09:53:46 | More by Dogbrick

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep amber to brown-ish color with a off white head. In the aroma, small roast and earthy notes. In the taste, dry, roasty coffee, and small hints of earth. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry coffee aftertaste. Nice coffee like presence, somewhere between a porter and oktoberfest.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 18:35:28 | More by OWSLEY069

ZAP

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very nice effort...perhaps their best beer...a little light in the shorts for an old ale but very drinkable and tasty.

Pours a dark brown color...tan head....nose is outstanding...sweet malt and nuts, perhaps a hint of vanilla....body is medium at best...smooth, creamy.

Nice sweet malt taste...has just a little booze to it....reminds me a little of bock crossed with a nut brown ale....

Whatever the case this is the type of beer that will short if you sit and analyze the hell out of it but if you just drink it and enjoy it you will love it.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2005 04:38:47 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this up as part of a mix a six - poured chilled from the brown bottle into a willybecker.

The color is dark nutty brown with translucent clarity and thin beige cap w/ stringy lace and ultra fine bead. The smell is very bready with a roasted grainy scent and light yeast ester with gentle fruity tinge and a light stone fruit ester with mild woody notes and hint of raisin. The feel has low roast and mild yeast with slight spice and gentle yeasty tang with moderately high carbonation with medium body and semi-dry nutty feel.

The taste is lightly caramel in the front with a toasted malt and nice fruity yeast flavor with somewhat bready flavor and mild spice w/ a gentle earthy sweet dried fruit taste like cherry with a mild hint of hops which are in the background with a gentle bran cereal quality with slight dry herbal tinge in the finish. Overall this brown is a quality dark ale with plenty of drinkability and subtle dry maltiness yeast breadiness that is very pleasant. This is a beer I would get again for the fact it is well brewed clean and doesn't taste sweet even though it is malt dominated.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 19:47:54 | More by Slatetank

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: Black crown cap with a back-2-back double BB and the words Breckenridge Brewery sits atop a standard looking 12 ounce brown bottle. 180° half neck label advertises ‘Breckenridge Brewery Fine Colorado Ales”. The main label is different to that one shown on BA, the one I have is a mixture of Autumnal browns, dark yellows and oranges. The design is old style; at the top it has the words ‘It’s Special’ in an autumn orange oval. Lists the brew as ‘Autumn Ale – Munich Malts & Bavaria Malts – Deep Mahogany Fall Seasonal Ale’. No strength listed and the Bottled On numbers on the left hand side are not nicked.

Appearance: A very dark brown-black body that looks murky but it is hard to tell. Soft tan brown head quickly breaks to leave a very thin broken covering and a ¼” thick stiff halo ring around the edge. No lacing. Looks a little flat but a gentle swirl reveals medium conditioning which rises quickly.

Nose: Very light, I struggled to dissect this one to be honest. Hard concentration reveals a nutty caramel aroma with some cooking chocolate.

Taste: Tastes are very much what I got from the nose, but in greater strength and with a little more complexity. Toasted malts with a bitter dark chocolate middle, the finish has some caramel and a nice roasted nutty swirl.

Mouthfeel: A little thin at first, but the high levels of dissolved carbonation lend solid support. The conditioning disperses the flavors with ease, so the finish is very nice, dark and bitter.

Drinkability: The low key mouthfeel and the nice broad spectrum of tastes all contribute to an easy going Autumn Seasonal. I have to say though that the quoted 6.7% strength is nowhere to be found, felt more like say 5% to me.

Overall: Apart from the rather staid nose this one is a highly enjoyable brew, I am wondering now if I should have let it warm up a little, but it’s too good to leave lying around. Next time LOL.

A Leaf Rakin’ Autumnal Thanks to BigHuge for this easy going Seasonal Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2005 22:42:57 | More by TheLongBeachBum