Brooklyn Blunderbuss Old Ale - Brooklyn Brewery

marcpal

New Jersey

3.15/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

2/23/09 - On tap at Gramercy Tavern, NYC

A: Poured a deep amber with a lot of clarity. Not much haze of fuzz to talk to. Almost tan thin head that was fading after the first sip.

S: Very sweet, sign of a thick syrupy barleywine. Many a dried fruit here, pick it and its there from the malt backbone. The best aspect of the brew.

T: Wow, is this far thinner than I was expecting in the taste. Quite watery with a sense of hops in there. It is pretty fruity from the malts but not nearly what I had anticipated in the nose. Fairly substandard flavor and a bit of a let down.

M: Mad carbonation for an old ale- not the barleywine I was expecting. It needs more thickness and syrup to be true and it came off as watered down, hiding the abv.

D: Lighest abv tasting old ale I have ever had by far. From the other one-offs by Brooklyn, I was really let down. If I poured this from a bottle, I would have thought it was spoiled some. Good in that you can really drink several without feeling full.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2009 23:16:28 | More by marcpal

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-29-2013 06:10:48 | More by Kelp

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%

11-12-2012 02:30:48 | More by t0rin0

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz pour in a tulip at the Blind Tiger's Brooklyn Brewery night.

Brooklyn Blunderbuss Old Ale pours somewhere between a deep mahogany and maroon. There's about a finger of khaki colored foam the shows some head retention and a surprising amount of lacing. The nose is heavy on caramel, but there are lots of smaller, secondary aromas coming through the picture to liven things up. Cherry, orange infused honey, and oxidation all make brief appearancs. Caramel once again leads things off on the flavor front, but it's joined here by the nutty sherry notes from oxidation as a main contributor. In fact, the oxidized flavors probably pass caramel in terms of dominance, which makes them a bit too intense for my care. As with the aromas, cherries, orange, and honey appear to be content to play secondary roles. The mouthfeel is great, with a chewy, rich, full body, and carbonation at a high enough level to cut through all the residual sweetness, but not too high where it might get distracting. I first had Blunderbuss about a year and a half ago. I don't think the 18 months or so have done Blunderbuss any favors. It's still pretty solid right now, but the age has slightly diminished what was a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2012 05:55:49 | More by axeman9182

deapokid

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

11-24-2011 14:10:11 | More by deapokid

tclapper

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.5%

11-17-2011 21:49:29 | More by tclapper

HopStoopid120

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +26.9%

11-16-2011 00:05:36 | More by HopStoopid120

thebouch01

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +26.9%

11-14-2011 20:56:02 | More by thebouch01

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on cask at Mugs, Brooklyn, NY

It was good. Better than the lager anyway. Dark reddish brown pour from the cask with a healthy head. Aroma and taste was of dark dried fruits and dark sugars, with some alcohol on the tongue. A bit strong, but still moderately drinkable.

Serving type: cask

04-29-2011 17:08:49 | More by Rifugium

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

at Bukowski's Inman Square. I asked for The Manhattan Project and this is what I got.

Dark burgundy with a thin, creamy white head--looks decadent. Half glass retention.

Aroma is fruity with caramel raisin and cherry oak standouts. Black forest cake malt.

Dark, sweet, fruit infused malt with toffee and raisin. Subtle, peeping alcohol and a light anis crisp at the end provide layered depth.

Good but I still felt underwhelmed.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2009 22:44:32 | More by donkeyrunner

Billolick

New York

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at David Copperfields in NYC, several months ago and reviewed from the notes I just found. Pours mahogony amber, the slight head my pour arrived with was medium tan and left espectable strands of lace on the glass. Ripe fruit, malt and raisin infused nose, this is a flavorful and malty old ale, with notes of more raisins, dark grains of malt, toffee, whole wheat toast and mild alcohol poking up now and then. Pleasant sipper, but I doubt much if any of this special offering remains around to be tried, too bad. Quality stuff from Brooklyn.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2009 17:11:42 | More by Billolick

JoeBloe

New York

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

on cask at the blind tiger -
a good old ale on cask - nice, sweet aroma with a taste of dried dark fruit - smooth going down with very well hiddden alcohol -
probably at it's tastiest in this form(cask) - i'd love to do a side by side with one from the tap -

Serving type: cask

09-03-2009 20:11:41 | More by JoeBloe

SLeffler27

New York

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A dense, off-white froth blooms to one inch over a dark, auburn beer with a chill haze and orange highlights. Pours almost the consistency of thin maple syrup. The head eventually drops, leaving an uninterrupted coating of lace.

A comforting, rich, malty molasses with tones of whisky, ginger, figs and plum embrace the nose.

This is a remarkably well-balanced brew with subtle flavors closely following the nose all the way through to the finish. Additions include strong sense of earthiness, some black tea and raisins while the alcohol is remarkably well kept.

An excellent companion for my Stone snifter glass, this full-bodied, creamy smooth beer with soft carbonation is surprisingly cleansing. The alcohol is surprisingly subdued, given its strong presence in the aroma.

This is an easily approachable old ale, suitable as a sipper, accompanying contemplation, reading, or as a nightcap. However, it is equally suited to compliment a rich meal or conversation.

Serving type: growler

07-03-2009 13:26:36 | More by SLeffler27

MrRetardedMonkey

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap at Ebenezers in Lovell, ME.

Poured a very dark brown with lighter copper highlights when held to the light. A two finger tan head faded rather quickly leaving minimal lacing. Perhaps served just a bit too cold.

As it warmed up, the nose had notes of raisins, prunes, a touch of caramel, and some piny, spicy hops.

Taste was much like the nose, with raisins, prunes, burnt brown sugar, molasses, and a bit of caramel sweetness. Finishes with a spicy hop bitterness. Alcohol is barely noticeable.

Medium-bodied, well-carbonated mouthfeel.

Drinkable, but one is about all I need.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2009 15:44:35 | More by MrRetardedMonkey

tmoneyba

Ohio

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

Draft at Dilly Deli.

Poured dark brown color with an average frothy off-white head that was mostly lasting with excellent lacing. Medium toasted malt and complex aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation. Medium to heavy balanced bittersweet flavor and medium toasted bittersweet finish of moderate duration.

Solid Drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2009 23:36:19 | More by tmoneyba

weeare138

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at TND...
Appears a rich golden toned copper with a 2 finger off white head that slowly fades into a mild head of fluff. Scattered bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of caramel, roasted nuts, cocoa, ripe fruits, raisins, and figs.
Taste echoes the aromas with flavorful raisins, cocoa, black cherries, notes of spice, and caramel.
Mouthfeel holds medium carbonation with sugary, nearing syrupy, with a warming boozineness that is more fit for aging. Stick this in a corked 750...please.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2009 02:26:16 | More by weeare138

mhatters

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at my house in a nonick glass

Beautiful copperronze color, dark but not black, thick head, tan colored, lacing on the glass. Lots of malts, sugar, fruit, alcohol in the nose, some hops but not overhopped. Great taste and mouthfeel, nicely balanced malt to sugar to slight fruit. Not a traditional Old Ale, but a great one. Strong finish,not overpowering.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2009 02:26:41 | More by mhatters

FtownThrowDown

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours reddish brown in color. Very translucent around the edges. Smell is toffee, some malt and just a bit of spice and hops. Taste is some more of this unknown spice that I just can't seem to put my finger on. A little more carbonation than I like to have in my old ales. Very easy drinking with only the slightest hint of alcohol. Pretty decent beer. I would have liked to see some more body to it. It was a tad thin, with not enough of the classic toffee and big malty flavor. A different take and still a enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2009 02:08:57 | More by FtownThrowDown

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy brown/bronze with a fine dark beige cap. Plenty of lacing with good head retention. Sweet and fruity aroma, a combination of malt, raisin, and plums. Bitterness was a bit on the low side, which let the malt and fruit flavours dominate. Toffee, plums, malt and raisins. Smooth texture, fine carbonation, a bit more than medium bodied. I thought this was very solid. It had a great English yeast character and was quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2009 01:19:45 | More by DrJay

paulthebeerguru

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a very opaque deep brown, almost bombay mahogany. the brew has a well-equiped tan 'halo' head. mild retention rate. very nice lacing, almost like a well-endowed tripel.

S: huge notes of plum, fig, and some black currants. some serious clove in this which seems odd for the style. mild clove I expect, but its big in this.

T: great palate pleaser here. solid rich malts, big fruit notes, mostly fall fruits, apples, figs, with a hint of plums. big spice character.

M: medium bodied. solid mouthfeel. big and bold palate.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2009 01:10:48 | More by paulthebeerguru

DannyS

New York

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a standard pint glass, poured from my growler, filled at Community Beverage in Elmhurst, NY.

A - Just barely translucent rusty dark brown, no head save for a thin collar on the rim.

S - Coffee, dried fruit, molasses. A very robust and sweet aroma.

T - Unexpectedly sweet, showing off an impressive brown sugar and raisin character, backed up by bitter coffee and cocoa. Also slightly oaky.

M - The carbonation is low but peppy, lightening the weighty character or this thick brew. Syrupy, but oh so smooth.

D - Felt the alcohol on my first couple of sips, but as one goes, it mellows out. A great beer for sipping, though I'd recommend no more than one drink's worth.

Overall - A great choice for my first growler beer. Had this once before at the brewery itself, and I was just as impressed then as I am now. Another hit from my favorite local brewery.

Serving type: growler

04-08-2009 22:51:54 | More by DannyS

Kolsch

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap, served in 12oz Snifter.

Appearance: ruddy brown with minimal head. Head did not even retain a wisp as the beer was drank.

Smell: smell is detecting sweet caramel, though nothing overpowering.

Taste: is similar to smell. Starts out sweet and caramelly, though not cloying at all. Slight astringent bite to it, maybe the alcolhol? It eased up as it warmed and I much preferred it this way. Taste ended on a dry note with the plum/raison showing at the end. Taste was not spectacular, but not bad either.

Overall: I would have another again, but wouldn't seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2009 10:57:44 | More by Kolsch

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz (requested half-pour) at Mr. Pickwicks Pub.

Poured a rather clear tawny brown with thin off-white head that receded quickly. Aromas of toasted nuts, malted grains, light molasses, and something like dry-rotting wood (in a nice way). Flavors focused on the malted grain and toasty nuts plus some dark caramel notes and a little sweet-bitter finish. The finish is long and stuck with me even after two other beers and french fries. I could still pull up the finish a half hour later. And oh, yeh...that's a good thing!

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2009 01:00:30 | More by SFLpunk

auxiliary

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance - Amber color, nice creamy head with some lace on the glass.

smell - Whiskey, raisns, and malt.

taste - Very tastey, thought i was drinking a wine. Dark fruits, sweet malt. 8.2 %ABV.

mouthfeel - Medium-full bodiy.

drinkability - Nice sipper to sit back an enojoy.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2009 05:31:07 | More by auxiliary

Stimack

New York

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was able to give this beer a try last evening while at Mahars. The brew poured to a nice dark brown color with a very good sized lighter tan colored head, very good retention and lacing. The nose is very malty with caramel, toffee, some raisins and/or dates while also having a sweet aroma aspect that is reminiscent of brown sugar. The flavor is nice, similar to the aroma but does come off a little more sweet than I anticipated but in no way is a detractor. Also some slight chocolate or cocoa flavor seems to be there which is different from what I picked up in the nose. Hop flavor is at the end and might be a hair to prominent, if it was slightly more in the background it would have been better but that is just my feeling. For it being an Old Ale with a higher ABV the alcohol was not detected. Overall I really liked this brew, feel that it is a good sipper and would get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2009 12:54:26 | More by Stimack