Old Man (Winter Ale) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

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

Rich meringue-thick head sits very tightly atop a red-brown beer. Lacing already taking effect.

Rather muted nose shows off little other than bronzed malts and a semi-sweet toastiness. Flavor might turn out sweeter.

Brute bitterness from pine hops opens this beer up. The hops are a bit more detectable in the nose now as it slowly warms. It's brighter than expected and still showy with English-style malts. Aftertaste yields light tangy citrus and light booze.

Drinks very nice. Good level of carbonation conceals the booze a bit, even though the body is behind medium.

A beer I like to enjoy once or twice a season. I feel like it always throws me for a curveball.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2012 01:54:17 | More by thecheapies

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clean yellow to orange-ish color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a small caramel and gingerbread like smell. In the taste, coriander and cinnamon spices, and a malty gingerbread like flavor underneath it. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry cinnamon to clean aftertaste. Spicy and malty, with a nice spice blend.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 15:10:19 | More by OWSLEY069

challenja

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured On Tap 4oz pour at the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan DC.

A: A nice blood orange. Heavy carbonation frothy two finger head.

S: Nice citrus rind, hearty apple, subtle nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon.

T: Heavy spice upfront, long lingering Bavarian hops. A mellow middle. Long all spice and cinnamon finish. One long lingering black better bite.

M: Heavy carbonation, mellowing middle, nice spice and lingering bite.

O: A really descent winter ale. Nice and spicy. Fire crackling good. This is one slow long traveler like the Mad Elf.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 21:14:36 | More by challenja

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

tap

Pours a deep caramel amber color, basically clear, low head lacing.

Smells of piney hop resin and some brown sugar malts.

Taste is hoppy, floral and piney, decently bitter, along with some spiced caramel and molasses malts, rich but not overbearing.

Feels fuller and syrupy with a stinging carbonation.

Pretty darn tasty, the hoppiness and maltiness are balanced quite well. Definitely a good cold weather ale, maybe just a bit too heavy to drink a lot of, strength notwithstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2012 00:00:25 | More by Cylinsier

TheDeuce

New York

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Southern Tier Old Man....on tap at Dark Horse in NYC....

Appearance-a light to medium yellow body with a two to three finger head. The carbonation is very active and the head tops off nicely.

Smell-very piney hops, are they trying to make it smell like a Christmas tree because if so they did a decent job. The hops outweigh the other quieter smells of alcohol and breaded malt.

Taste/Mouthfeel-again the hops pull through strongly, medium to heavy mouthfeel, nice smoothness with a little malt backbone that adds some nice balance. For how strong this beer is it's impressive that the alcohol is fairly well hidden and doesn't dominate. You'd rather have the hops take the lead here than the alcohol.

Overall-a nice beer, as others have noted I'm not so sure it's really much of an old ale but it's a flavorful hoppy beer with some nice characteristics. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 20:39:30 | More by TheDeuce

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep copper, half finger white head, little lacing.

S - Christmas tree, pine.

T - Starts with pine needles, resin, leans toward spearmint but flows into subtle caramel and raison notes.

M - Moderate - high carbonation, medium - full bodied.

O - This is an interesting beer, definately makes me think of opening presents under the christmas tree.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 01:19:18 | More by Rickythejeweler

Dave128

Kentucky

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

Had on tap at pazzos pizza pub in Lexington KY

A - Brought to me in a pint glass with about a finger head. Clear amber in color. Lacing is slight but its there.

S - Smells mostly of yeast. Can't really pull much out of the nose. Maybe some mild spice smell.

T - Suprisingly hoppy with a sweet aftertaste. Not much flavor besides the hops.

M - light bodied perhaps a little too light but matches the flavors.

O - An average beer. I'm not familiar to reviewing old ales, but this one is still pretty tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 23:55:52 | More by Dave128

Brouwerij78

New York

4.5/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one was really good, but fell slightly short of my "excellent beer" 5 stars...this could really be because I have very high standards for Southern Tier as it is one of my favorite breweries. The flavor was really smooth and consistent from first to last sip but something was missing. I think the spice level could be turned up one click and it would be perfection. I am curious to see what this tastes like out of the bottle - seems to me beers like these tend to pack a higher punch of the intended flavors when poured from the bottle into a frosted pint glass then enjoyed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 04:16:46 | More by Brouwerij78

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

unique beer for sure, and excellent for winter. pours a dark copper color, like a tarnished penny, with a small vanishing head. smells a touch smokey, and strong. my brother described the taste to me as "what an old man's hat would smell like" in a good way. he was right, it has a sort of dusty burlap malty base with brighter winter flavors like pipe tobacco peppered throughout much like an old man's cap might have a fishing fly on the brim, a feather in the band, and some funny stain inside, this beer cannot be described in any other way now. its got a full bodied low carbonation mouthfeel which makes it quite easy to appreciate its complex character. my favorite winter beer of the season so far.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 15:35:36 | More by StonedTrippin

hippityhops85

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured on draft into a 3 oz tasting glass.

Pours a crystal clear burnt umber with a thin eggshell head. Reminds me of some of the English barleywines I've had.

The nose has lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, piney hops. Not bad.

The taste is pretty one noted with a malty bitterness with a dash of cinnamon and hops. Flavor falls apart at the end palate.

The mouthfeel is overcarbonated and thin. Not desirable.

There are much better examples of and Old Ale I would reach for before trying this again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 14:25:15 | More by hippityhops85

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on Tap at "The Library" in the south side.

A - A nice clean, clear amber brown, maybe a touch dark with a half inch of pillow like head.

S - Mild citrus hops and a touch of biscuit malt. Maybe some caramel too.

T - Fantastically balanced. As other ST offerings it's hoppy but more of a light citrus, which makes way for the main taste of biscuit malt and caramel almost reminding me of a fresh, robust Oktoberfest. Tasty

M - Light to medium on tap. A bit thinner than the bottle offering so it's more drinkable.

Overall what a fantastic beer that makes me want to grab a fresh case for the winter. Very surprised this is an Old Ale since it drinks more like a hoppy Oktoberfest. Great beer!

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 04:48:14 | More by DrDemento456

ryanonline

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Deep dark amber with some golden hints and a huge white crown of foamy head with little staying power but lots of lacing.

Smells resiny and piney with strong notes of caramel and a light toffee scent.

The taste is very tea like, it is still very hoppy but lacks the punch of most winter warmers. The malt is very light but consists of a bit of bran and caramel. Most dominant is the piney hops.

The mouthfeel is slightly creamy with some fizzy carbonation. Also very light bodied with a dry finish.

Drinkability is relatively high, not too heavy even flavors and still quite tasty, though uncharacteristic for the style.

Yummy beer, but it's just not what unexpected from an old ale or a winter warmer. Not disappointed but underwhelmed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 04:01:41 | More by ryanonline

CaptDavyJones

New York

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap and was served in a pint glass.
Dark copper color with some ruby red hues. One finger head that dissipated very slowly and leaving behind some really nice, sticky lace. Visually this ale is very appealing.
Aroma was very malty with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Taste like the aroma was malty upfront. Coats the palate with a bready malty taste only to finish with a nice shot of bitterness. From the aroma it was impossible to tell that there would such hop presence.
Easy to drink and mouthfeel is pretty good, the lingering bitterness in the finish left me wanting more.
Overall, I would say this is a good take on an Old Ale, definitely worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 16:15:31 | More by CaptDavyJones

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark and hazed copper with moderate cap of khaki froth, decent retention and good sticky lacing at the top of the glass. Scent is hop forward, lots of orange zest, and the malt comes across as more toasted than sweet, decent lingering spice notes on the rear. Full flavored beer leads with the hops again, mostly citrus with firm notes of spicy and piney, malt backbone is quite deep ranging from dry and tannic roasted grains, toasted and nutty to lightly sweet and caramely, again a decent spice profile lingers on the end. Medium bodied and dry finish. Overall, a style bender for sure... firm hop and malt character and a nice splash of winter spice.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 14:48:17 | More by rfgetz

57md

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The appearance was a deep burnt orange with little head and no retention. The smell was not very strong or definitive at all. There are rich malts up front with a good dose of hoppiness in the finish. A reasonably good effort from a brewery that I like more than most.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 04:01:53 | More by 57md

Durge

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A dark copper color with a fair off-white head and plenty of lacing like a wall on the pint glass. The aroma suggests skunk malt and evergreen hops. Nice and swampishly delectible. The flavor brings heavy juniper hop and honey cabbage malt. A solidly medium body brew with medium carbonation and a easy feel to go with it. Slightly dry on the finish. A very satisfying and reasonably drinkable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 07:32:04 | More by Durge

RBJJRMD

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

this was a nice suprise for a winter warmer. Excellent malt base with a nice bitter hop finish to offset caramel notes. not over spiced as a lot of winter warmers. I expected a degree of quality from Southern Tier and was not disappointed. An excellent choice while sitting outside on the deck on a winter's eve.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2011 05:15:18 | More by RBJJRMD

jpro

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Closed for Business...

A: Served in a shaped pint glass... Deep copper / mahogany, with a slightly off-white, creamy, one-finger head that manages some pretty good retention and leaves a few thick rings of white lace.

S: Hoppy... wow, wasn't really expecting this! Lots of citrusy / grapefruit rind hop character in the nose; also some lightly roasted malt aromas.

T: Interesting brew here... Pretty substantial bitterness from the hop department, yet kept in check by toasty malts and some caramel / perhaps even toffee-like sweetness; quite flavorful.

M: Leaning towards the full side of medium-bodied; low-moderate carbonation.

D: Pretty drinkable, considering the hoppiness and abv... a good / interesting take on a winter ale.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2011 15:16:37 | More by jpro

DaveBlack

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A good looking beer. Deep brownish-orange with a two finger tan head that has great retention and a ton of lacing.

S: Lot going on on the nose, first smell is malts, followed by spices and a fair amount of hops. It's a little surprising to find such a strong malty aroma that doesn't seem to cover up the hops at all. It smells rich and fits the winter season well.

T: I'm liking what I taste. Not surprising for how it smells, but there's a lot of caramel malt flavor up front, followed by some slight spicy notes and finishes strong with the hops. A really well balanced and delicious beer.

M: Medium bodied with a fair amount of carbonation. Not sticky in the least.

D: I found this to be a readily drinkable beer. The balance of malts and hops meant that it was neither too sweet or too bitter. Just a great beer for a cold night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2011 22:24:51 | More by DaveBlack

beersensei305

Florida

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Dark amber, the one of the best heads I've ever seen. Great retention, white foamy big.

S- Major aroma, citrus and hopy. caramel malts

T- piney, citrus, some carmel nice spicy malt finish

M- Creamy and sticky, not very carbonated

D- a sipper nice winter warming brew

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 21:02:01 | More by beersensei305

Axic10

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewery.

Appearance: Dark amber with a finger of white head.

Smell: Very malty and spicy (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.).

Taste: Cinnamon, caramel malt, sugary sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and creamy.

Drinkability: A very nice winter beer that hits the spot on a cold December night.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 22:23:16 | More by Axic10

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

"That old man winter..." (That was sung in a deep baritone.) It pours a clear garnet topped by a finger-and-a-half of light ecru foam. The nose comprises caramel, light grapefruit, and some chocolate deep in the very, very back. On the tongue, strong pine and orange peel do battle with some slightly smoky toffee. When all is quiet again, a pall of mint hangs over the fallen. The body is a straight medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a solid brew, but not necessarily something I can honestly see myself going after regularly.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2010 17:46:24 | More by TMoney2591

Tifore

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Melt Bar & Grilled. Poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a deep orange amber color with some deep red tones as well. Arrives to me with a nice one finger head that has great retention. Leaves good lacing and develops a nice cap that stays throughout the whole beer.

S - I was expecting a super spicy beer like most Winter Warmers / Ales are but this one suprised me and isn't so much like the norm. I do pick up notes of allspice and clove but predominantly I'm getting lots of malts and hops. Citrusy hops at that which add a nice freshness to the beer. Some yeast also lingers in the nose as well.

T - Taste is pretty much the same as the nose turned out to be. The hops are very forward and hit you first as well as a bit of that allspice but following that is all sweet malts. Carmel and toffee mainly.

M - Mouthfeel is a bit soapy and perhaps a tad oily. The beer has good carbonation as well.

D - All around a interesting Winter Ale. Southern Tier did this one right and steered away from the norm. Good spice still but hops and malts really steal the show.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2010 02:50:34 | More by Tifore

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-thick amber with a foamy cream colored head

S-vanilla, barley, and a good amount of hops! smells good!

T-its a weird mixture of vanilla, barley, and hops. None of those flavors stand out and the taste comes out sort of weird. I feel it would've been best if the barley or hops stood out more. The after-taste is mainly a bad grapefruit bitterness with some vanilla in there as well.

M-medium carbonation tho there is a sharp finish

D-well the tastes stay, this isn't a bad beer really. it seems that a lot of the negative aspects drift away and i start to pick up the better tastes more, especially the vanilla.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2010 23:54:50 | More by AdamBear

donniecuffs

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

At the Mohawk House in Sparta, NJ. Poured a transparent amber into a tulip, with less than a finger of white; average retention and lacing. Very little visible carbonation. The nose consisted of distant spices and some candy fruit; almost like a bland fruitcake. The taste revealed a very subtle sour fruit and candi sugar midpalate, with a weak, semi-sweet finish. The body was surprisingly thin as well; borderline watery, with no carbonation. While this beer seems non-offensive enough to session, I was actually very disappointed with the lack of flavor after hearing so much hype about it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2010 03:29:28 | More by donniecuffs