LongShot Old Ale - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Frozensoul327

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Just like the bottle says: Deep mahogany color, slightly cloudy, with a smaller head of foam. Minimal lacing in the glass. Lower levels of carbonation.

S: Rich notes of earthy grains and wood, with a evident note of caramel. Minor afterthoughts of candied sugar, and sweet fruits. Smells like it's some sort of vintage ale that should be sipped and throughly enjoyed....

T: WOW. I've never liked Old Ales. This is good. Not overpowering or cloying in anyway whatsoever, flavors of molasses blended with a rich note of dark fruits, mild roasted malt, a touch of dough, caramel, and a mild hoppy flavor. Complex, yet not overpowering or too heavy in any dimention.

M: Lighter than most Old Ale's, yet still maintains a nice level of density. Mild carbonation is present on the tongue. Not bad.

D: I've got one more bottle that I'm gonna cellar now, and see what a year does. If the other two match up to this, I think Sam Adams has some hiring to do. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2007 02:37:36 | More by Frozensoul327

matjack85

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

02-11-2013 23:27:27 | More by matjack85

cliff1066

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.3%

12-11-2012 03:58:41 | More by cliff1066

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%

11-10-2012 14:31:19 | More by t0rin0

RBorsato

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

11-06-2012 20:22:11 | More by RBorsato

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

08-29-2012 02:20:54 | More by bsuedekum

kobeer

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

07-30-2012 14:54:02 | More by kobeer

djrn2

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

06-12-2012 23:16:34 | More by djrn2

40451

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-19-2012 01:06:55 | More by 40451

odbjs735

New York

1.75/5  rDev -55.7%

05-07-2012 07:07:50 | More by odbjs735

jfcaa193

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -24.1%

01-30-2012 02:29:43 | More by jfcaa193

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%

01-21-2012 01:10:18 | More by imperialking

bonbini26

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

01-11-2012 21:57:09 | More by bonbini26

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

12-05-2011 02:25:52 | More by JohneHoodlum

THECPJ

Delaware

4/5  rDev +1.3%

11-29-2011 19:31:39 | More by THECPJ

rab53

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

11-25-2011 04:29:13 | More by rab53

EasyReader

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.3%

11-16-2011 21:11:16 | More by EasyReader

Burt

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +1.3%

11-15-2011 18:26:34 | More by Burt

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

ark chocolate brown with a nice head of light tan on the top of it. Smooth, easy settling left behind some nice side glass lacing. The aroma was soo sweet. Lots of caramel, smooth molasses and brown sugar like smells coming off of here. The flavor was much more of the same. Rich and very sweet, defintly a dessert beer. I found myself savoring each and every sip of this one as the delicate sweetness of this one overwhelmed me. Soo much flavor here as the sweet caramel malts just overpowered everything and made for a wonderful flavo

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 02:43:30 | More by mikesgroove

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

11-15-2011 01:01:22 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine April 2007.

Cheers to Don Oliver for this win, and for bringing such an underrated beer style to the forefront. We set aside a few bottles of this simply to see how it ages. At 10.6 percent ABV, we're sure it will age quite well over the next year or so.

Viscous, rolling head leaves a cream-colored lace to wrap around the inside of the glass; not much stickage, though the lace does hold its ground. Deep, tawny brown brew has a glowing clarity when put up to the light. Rich and fragrant aroma of ripe figs, spicy, flowery hops, caramel and a candied-fruit ester from the alcohol. Thick, creamy mouthfeel from a syrupy body with mild carbonation. The taste buds bask in maltiness as the brew reaches cellar temperature; an adequate amount of hops helps balance things. Dark bread, brown sugar, figs, ripe pears and a hint of apple skin. Substantial but mellow alcohol warms the mouth and throat after each sip. Clean, with a kiss of fruity esters. More of a toasted-grain flavor middle to end, with a lingering maltiness.

This is such an incredible brew, and one to sip and savor. Throw any kind of veined cheese at this beer with some ripe figs, tart apples and a fresh baguette.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2010 20:15:22 | More by BeerAdvocate

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Reading some of the classics (the experiments of Stern and Gerlach, Thompson and others) made me want something old, and this seemed fitting. I had my other bottle shortly after the release and I have no recollection of how it tasted.

Clear ruby red with a dense, light brown head with solid retention and a little lace, this looks good. Giving it a swirl results in a coating of the glass, suggesting that the sweetness might be a bit high.

The nose is big and rich, with a blend of light smoke, vanilla, a little butterscotch and a fairly strong brown sugar and caramel sweetness. A little tobacco is also noticeable; this beer was meant to be aged. Fruity with some pear and plums. Great stuff

The palate opens quite sweet with plenty of grainy and caramel sweetness, there's also a certain harshness to the palate, with honey and molasses-like character. Plenty of fruitiness is perceived, with a mellow fruity tartness present as well. Fruit-character brings to mind apples and pears, no real oxidation is noticeable. A mild tobacco character is noticeable mid-palate, with the sweetness almost making this taste like shisha.The finish is disappointing, mildly sweet with no real lingering flavors of note, just some grainy character and sweetness. A little alcohol is also noted. Full in body with a moderate level of carbonation, this beer is decent. Not the most drinkable beer, but still, a solid effort.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 04:46:32 | More by DefenCorps

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

4/16/08:
12 oz. bottle, best-by 06/07 notched on the label, sampled 10 months past that date. It pours a crystal-clear deep maroon, with moderate carbonation and a half-inch light-brown head that leaves light lacing. Lots of esters in the nose, supported by caramel, molasses and chocolate. Similar flavor, with notes of apples and grassy/spicy hops that impart a medium bitterness; the alcohol is fairly well-hidden, but detectable. Pretty good carbonation level, with a thick, almost chewy body. Not too shabby; this one has aged, and will continue to age, very well. The numbers represent this review.

11/23/10:
This one has not aged as well as I thought it would and it has officially turned; if you still have it, drink it now or risk a drain pour. The aroma is still pleasant, but on the palate, the melanoidins have become very brothy (like drinking meat drippings) and it has an unpleasant, soy sauce linger.
A-4, S-3.5, T-2.5, M-3, D-2, Overall - 3.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2009 17:55:44 | More by mmmbeer

yesyouam

New York

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Feb 26, 2007
This beer pours a deep crystal-clear ruby-brown with a small creamy off-white head that quickly fades. The aroma is of very strong malt, a twang of sourness and spicy alcohol. On the tongue, it's thick, creamy and full-bodied. The carbonation is soft. The flavor starts sour and turns sweet. The rich malt flavor ends with a delicate hop bite. The aftertaste is not as drawn out as I thought it might be. Great drinkability!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2009 00:22:12 | More by yesyouam

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black cherry with bright raspberry highlights. The upper third of the snifter is filled with a large scoop of golden beige colored whipped cream that is leaving a surprising amount of fine, feathery lace. This is one lovely looking old ale.

The nose is right on the money as well. The dominant aromas are dark berries soaked in tawny port, with earthy and woody underpinnings. Having said that, it's extremely doubtful that this LongShot offering saw the inside of a port cask.

Old Ale is an excellent version of the style. Despite my fears that old age had resulted in some amount of deterioration, the beer has held up expectionally well. Of course, not having tasted it prior to today, it's impossible to know how well. It might even have another year on it yet.

Let's go with plump black raspberries, raisins, port wine, dark toffee and maybe even a little bittersweet chocolate. It's amazing how the various flavors are so well-integrated, yet how they combine seamlessly into a unified whole. Warming increases flavor intensity, but it was pretty damn good right out of the gate.

Drinkability is a definite strong suit. The alcohol is expertly buried and there are no rough edges. Those who want to dip a toe into the style would do well to start here. The boys from Boston should seriously consider releasing some of these LongShots on a regular (or a seasonal) basis.

The mouthfeel is medium, silky smooth and slightly underbubbled. Just as it should be. Gulping is possible, but is not advised. Sipping is the way to go so that each and every nuance can be appreciated.

Old Ale is good beer that deserves to see the light of day again. It's too bad that I only have this single bottle because I could use a few dozen more to warm my bones during the coming winter months. Thanks to Georgiabeer for hooking me up.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2008 15:25:06 | More by BuckeyeNation