Lead Dog Olde English Ale - Yukon Brewing Company

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle shared courtesy of Josh (thanks!).

Poured a deeper orangish color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, roasty, nuts, and some cardboard. Tastes of toasted caramel, nuts, citrus, and lighter cardboard.

Notes from: 10/26/07.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2009 16:08:16 | More by hopdog

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Roasty aroma, pours blackish with some white head and lace drops in glass following drinking up. Mollasses, licorice and some coffee grounds so characteristics of a porter, a brown, an old ale. Above average carbonation which works.Understated bitterness and maltiness. Drying aftertaste. Very decent English strong and reasonable 7% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2007 04:14:01 | More by northyorksammy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a clear dark copper beer with a huge head with good retention. Aroma is quite malty with some noticeable roastiness. Taste is very interesting with some notes of roastiness coming in at first and ending with a balanced bitterness. No too complex beer overall, but a good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2004 14:03:45 | More by Phyl21ca

notdan

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from IronDjinn from CanBIF 6. Thanks!

Pours clear dark brown with a tinge of auburn, topped with a bubbly tan head with solid retention.

Smells quite nice. Fruit and toffee mostly, including some apple and cherry. An earthy/mineral edge shows up as well.

Taste was not what I expected based on the aroma, but still nice. Out of nowhere, the roast characteristic showed up, matched with a hint of tart cherry and some caramel/toffee. Dry, moderately bitter finish, but no noticeable hop flavours to speak of.

Mouthfeel is very nice; slightly slick with just the right amount of carbonation.

Alcohol is completely lacking in the flavour, which in combination with the mouthfeel, make this a very drinkable beer.

Good stuff, wish there were more examples of English and American strong ales around these parts.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 05:23:58 | More by notdan

elricorico

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This one looks almost like a porter, very dark brown, opaque except for the edges. My pour generated more than two fingers of creamy tan head, and a couple of minutes later, there is still more than a centimetre on top and lacing where it has receded.

The smell is toasty and malty. Like caramel spread over toasted bread. Somewhat straightforward, but nice.

I find the taste fairly stout-like in its roasted character. Plenty of caramel to the malt profile, mild bitterness to the finish. Alcohol is faintly apparent in the warmth of the finish. Tasty.

This beer has a distinct creaminess to it, it is very pleasant to the tongue. Carbonation is lighter than average, which works for this beer quite well.

A nice winter brew, malty and warming, but not without its balance. Well worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2006 01:03:18 | More by elricorico

markaberrant

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - almost black, the slightest bit of red flashes in the bottom of the glass when held to a light. Creamy tan head on top, sheets of lacing down the glass.

S - caramel, fruity, a bit of toffee, not overly powerful, but pleasing

T - more roasted flavour than I was expecting, but very nice. Burnt toffee with a bit of sweetness, some earthy hop. Aftertaste is dry and roasty, but balanced with enough sweetness. Tastewise, this could almost pass for a stout.

M - full creamy mouth, some dry astringency from the roasted malt in the finish. Low carbonation as it should be.

D - It's a treat to come across this style, especially when it is well done. I'm quite enjoying this, and looking forward to the next one. Still, I think it should be a touch more balanced towards caramel than roast flavours, but it's a minor quibble.

A fantastic brew, it definitely met my expectations. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2007 00:20:22 | More by markaberrant

vanrassel

Alberta (Canada)

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

Yukon Brewing doesn't make a lot of beers, but they have a decent track record of making good ones — and even the ones that aren't so good get marks for originality.

Lead Dog Ale is definitely good, from the dark, cola-coloured elixir that poured into my pint glass topped by a fluffy head. It was accompanied by a complex, fruity aroma that hinted at blackcurrants and a bit of rummy fruitcake. Faint, floral hops were also present, as was a slight whiff of chocolately malt.

The taste was definitely on the malty side, but not entirely one-dimensional. Moderately bitter hops came through in the middle before everything finished dry with a roasted malt finish. The mouthfeel was medium-bodied and a bit sticky (not unpleasantly so) and carbonation low.

A nice sipper on a cold winter night and hides its ABV well.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2006 01:45:28 | More by vanrassel

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

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

6 pack of standard brown bottles, picture of a nice looking husky on the label.
Pour a deep, dark brown, with a foamy tan colored head that thins down to a floating cap of foam. Minimal lacing. NIce aroma of dark malt and dark fruits. Also some smell of brown sugar. Complex flavor, with roasted malt, prunes, and some sweet caramel. Just a slight touch of alcohol warmth. The flavor comes out even more as it starts to warm up a bit. Solid mouthfeel, creamy and full bodied. A great beer to enjoy during the cold weather.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2007 13:35:08 | More by BigBry

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

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

12oz bottle sent from wordemupg in CanCon BIF - thanks man!

Pours a dark russet, earthy brown with hints of auburn in the light, a nice finger of head off the pour which dies down to a thin collar that manages to leave some lacing down the glass.

Nose is dominated by toffee malt, earthy metallic notes, bread, and light spicing.

Toffee and caramel malt, day old coffee, earth (almost loam like), hints of cocoa powder, bread. Extremely dry and biting, sucks the moisture out of your mouth! Hint of the alcohol in the back but just barely, warming in the stomach hits you about half way through. Tingly carbonation, any less and this might stick in your mouth. Light sweetness runs through it but pales in light of the hop, malt roast drying that runs rampant along your tongue and cheeks. Lightish body, going for drinkable I believe though at 7% that could be difficult.

A really interesting beer. It would go well with food though I wouldn't call it sessionable. Well made, tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2009 19:47:28 | More by ritzkiss

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

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

A - Pours a darek ruby red with a finger of beige head, decent retention and some sporadic llacing.

S - Roasted nuttiness off the top, some burnt sugars and caramel follow and finishes with a touch of leafy green hops.

T - Quite tasty, with the roasted characteristics coming through nicely alongside some dark espresso and burnt caramel. Touch of ABV sweetness is detectable and a bit of heat lingers on the palette with some faint leafy hops lingering.

M - Medium bodied ale, goes down surprisingly smooth and finishes with a bit of heat and dryness.

O - Easily one of the most flavourful offerings I've had from Yukon Brewing and no surprise that it is so well received. Full flavoured strong ale that is highly recommended. ABV is decently hidden, but is certainly not offensive.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 00:04:16 | More by andrenaline

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.01/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottle from wordemuog, 12oz into a tulip.

Dark brien, mahogany hues when held to the light. Tab head, with moderate retention and lacing. Nose has some sweetish, bready malts, a bit of chocolate, molasses. Taste has some roast, toasty bread, some sweet and complex malt character. Dry finish. Medium feel, thats lighter at times. Medium low carbonation, no alcohol. Quite easy to put back, I'd have several of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 02:20:43 | More by liamt07

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

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

341 ml bottle poured in a pint glass. Thanx BigBry!

Dark brown, almost black and hazy. Nearly opaque. Thin ring of light brown head.

Aroma is sweet malt and dried fruit (prunes and figs) with some bread like notes. Christmas loaf. Alcohol in the background.

Strong roasted malt with dried fruit highlights. The alcohol makes itseld noticed but doesn't overpower. Fairly steady throughout.

Medium-full bodied and mildly carbonated.

A nice strong ale. The scent does more for me than anything else. Well suited for a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2007 05:32:15 | More by Noxious26

Dawkfan

Alberta (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a deep brown with a thin head and not much lacing. Hum.... I remember this beer pouring & looking better than this. Hopefully the beer is still good.

S- The first thing I get is toffee and caramel. Some coffee and hops in here as well. This is a nice smell!!

T- Much like the smell with a hint of booze and nuttiness. The finish is bitter. A good balance between all the flavors.

M- Medium-full body. Moderate carbonation.

D- A really nice offering from Yukon. I haven't had many beers of this style, but I enjoyed this immensely. This kept getting better as it warmed. I'm still not sure what happened with the pour on this one, perhaps the glass wasn't cleaned properly, but everything else was spot on how I remembered it.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2009 04:13:35 | More by Dawkfan

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

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

Thanks to wordemupg for this one.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle.

Appearance: A very dark body with blood red tints and a very light brown, thick head.

Smell: Wisps of roasted coffee, sweet caramel candy, nuts (skin and all) and images of a wood stove. Comforting.

Taste: Unsweetened chocolate, faint coffee, dark dried fruits, raw nuttiness, toasted oats and a bit of candy sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Creamy & rich with a tinge of robustness that could have cranked it up a notch. Nice light bittering in the middle through the finish.

Overall: A nice winter warmer that felt real good to taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 11:14:10 | More by papat444

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

341ml bottle poured into 400ml dab glass on sept26 2009

A clear brownish copper with a thumb width of head that has only fair retention but even the final film left some lace

S some spice, burnt sugar and a tiny bit of booze

T the booze is a little more pronounced and it has some nice nutty flavor and toffee/caramel balance it out quite well.

M low carbonation and its leaning to the heavy side

D this one is perfect for this chilly fall night, overall several small things came together too make this one work

I'm stoked on this beer, this is one of the most underrated ales in western Canada. I like the stout and red ale from Yukon, but this one may be their best

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2009 02:32:05 | More by wordemupg

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lead Dog Ale isn't quite as dark as a January night in the Yukon, but it takes staring at it straight into the light to find that it is, in fact, clear and that it does indeed have some colour beyond its blackish exterior. The pecan-brown blush is very attractive and emits a surprising amount of glossy highlighting for a beer so dark-hued. A good head forms but eventually collapses like a tent, its main post removed.

The bouquet has that super enticing blend of roasted nuts, chocolate, dried fruits and coffee that makes keeping your nose out of the glass for more than a few seconds at a time a very difficult task. Not overly sweet, not overly roasty - it is an unusually successful balance between dark porter-like elements (i.e., fudge, espresso) and somewhat lighter brown malt notes (i.e., toffee, molasses).

This "Olde English Ale" is indeed fashioned in a similar vein to many of Britain's celebrated strong ales (think Fullers Vintage or J.W. Lees). It nowhere near rivals these markedly complex and celebrated ales, mind you, but rather drinks like a simplified, made-to-order version of them. This is not to diminish its flavour, which is substantial in its own right, offering notes of pecan, molasses, golden raisin, roasted grain, cocoa and coffee.

Despite the abundance of malt flavour, the climbing alcohol content and the general makeup of a porter, the brewery's quite right about this beer's consumption not leading to an "overly full gullet". Of course, it's hard for me to fully put that claim to the test with only one bottle in my possession, but considering how quickly it's disappeared, I'd call it a fairly safe bet. If anything, it may be a wee thin for its flavour profile.

Lead Dog Ale has got to make the cold, dark, long Yukon winter more bearable. Or at least act as some token of consolation - you won't find it many places elsewhere. So while they might not have much sun, at least the people of the Yukon can rest easy knowing they have plenty of good beer at their disposal, Yukon Brewing makes darn sure of that. (Now if only they'd start looking after other people by distributing further south!)

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 03:08:09 | More by biegaman

demcorhip

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to the fine trader markaberrant for sending this my way. Pours quite dark, a brown that is almost black, with garnet hues around the edges. Nice tight two finger tan head formed on a pretty gentle pour. Excellent head retention, and is already leaving sticky lacings as the head slowly recedes, and continues to do so as I work on emptying my glass.

Toffee, a touch of treacle and a hint of anise greets the nose. Slightly floral but a moreso earthy hop touch also presents itself.

Pretty good stuff here. A mild nuttiness is smothered in toffee and notes of treacle. Hints of smoke and anise also present. Metallic twang appears near the finish and gives way to earthy flavours of moist black earth and decaying vegetation. The metalllic flavours are easy to get accustomed to.

Medium in body, nicely attentuated, and hides its 7% abv well. Rich malts harmonize nicely with the hops. Mildly roasty and mildly astringent, making it very easy to go back for more.

For what this is this is a very drinkable ale, and is as sessionable as most if not any other 7% beers. The metallic notes almost detracted from this fine ale, but after a couple more sips the palate quickly adjusted. A nice and almost roasty strong ale, hopped according to the english tradition. Very well made, glad i got to try this one, and would certainly enjoy having this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2008 05:11:53 | More by demcorhip

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Amber brown, light tan head, some retention & lacing.

S: Spiced-up Christmas/fruit cake that's covered in alcohol; caramel; burnt toffee.

T: Fruit cake, spice, burnt caramel, roasted nut & orange rind. Balanced bitterness; alcohol is subtle.

M: Body is slightly heavier than moderate; smooth.

D: A nice winter warmer.

Thanks Bobsy!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2008 02:57:42 | More by Derek

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I recall this being my favorite of the Yukon products, before my reviewing days...

This beer pours a clear dark reddish brown colour, with a finger or so of foamy off-white head, which leaves a ring of lace around the glass. It smells of lightly roasted toffee, my mom's zucchini bread (earthy spices, bread, and brown sugar), and a bit of earthy hops. The taste is mildly roasted caramel malt, some nuttiness, alcohol edginess, and weedy hops. The carbonation is moderate, the body full and fairly smooth, and it finishes dry, roasted, and nutty.

A very tasty strong ale, the booze sufficiently integrated. Still my favorite beer from the North of our Great White North.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 23:13:11 | More by biboergosum

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wonderful bottle with a picture of a husky on it. Almost like the Canadian North personified.

The pour produces a mahogany couloured body and a decent off-white head. There's good retention and some nice lacing. Malty, english strong ale aroma, with some raisin, dark fruity malts and treacle. Very nice, full, malty body. Lots of toffee and caramel at the fore, with alcohol soaked dark fruits, and some great roasty characteristics. There's also a slight hint off wood (not oak though) and a good level of bitterness. Its quite a rich and textured palate, which I really appreciate. Creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel with restrained carbonation.

This is a very solid beer - great flavours and a nice body. Yet another winner from Yukon, who also do an awesome red if anyone feels like tracking it down.

Thanks to BigBry for sending this one East.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2008 20:17:52 | More by bobsy

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a pleasant surprise to find in regular distribution. Yukon Brewing makes mighty fine beers, it's always good to see more from them.

Came in a 6 pack, down to my last bottle.Pours out a deep, dark brown, almost opaque except for a deep mahogany nimbus around the bottom of the glass when held up to direct light. Spongy tan head that settles to a thin creamy cap.

Rich aroma of chewy dark malts, dark dried fruits, and a hint of blackstrap molasses, along with licorice.

The flavour is also rich, with roasted malt, molasses, figs and some licorice root. This is something of a malt bomb. Faint smoky traces long into the aftertaste, this one really lingers.

Full and creamy mouthfeel, it's a pleasure to roll over the tongue.

An absolute delight to drink, much credit to Yukon Brewing for finally making this one more accessible, it'll be a mainstay in my fridge for sure, at least through the cold weather.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2007 04:02:26 | More by IronDjinn

MMansfield

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle sent to me by BigBry. Thanks a lot for this surprise. I've been looking forward most to this one.

Appearance: Pours a lovely deep brown clour with a nice tight tanned head. Loads of lacing up the sides of the glass. Great retention.

Aroma: Roasted malt. Earthy tones, rich soil, coffee, molasses. Fruit aroma of prunes and dates. Sweet caramel also in there. Smell beautiful, like a cross between English and Belgian ales.

Taste: More of those deep deep earthy hints in the flavour. Rich roasted coffee, molasses. Also a bit of dark rippened fruit. Very sweet and fruity, but a good hop bitterness to balance it out.

Mouthfeel: Soft, and sharp as well. Carbonation level meets the style. Not a session beer, but has a good drinkability for a strong ale.

Final Statement: What a wonderful surprise from Whitehorse! This is one of the better Canadian brews I've tasted. It's a unique and very solid contribution, I just wish I could get it here in Halifax. I'd love to try the rest of their beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2007 18:13:04 | More by MMansfield

ablaze

Alberta (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very dark reddish-brown, almost black. Smallish and creamy off-white head that settles quickly with some decent lacing. Nice looking ale.

Smoked wood and milk chocolate, with dark fruit.

Sweet, roasted, light bitterness...molasses, black olives, mission figs, tangy currants and prunes.Very tasty with some nice malt/hop balance.

Nice creamy body in the mouth, slight astringent finish with low carbonation.

This could be a porter or a stout, and it's delicious. An invigorating ale that is a regular in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2007 00:38:51 | More by ablaze

beerSexualizer

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great beer. Looks like a porter with its voluptuous black colour and amber red tints.

Smells of coffee, toffee, molasses and some cocoa

Tastes like delicious night fall in an arctic winter. Warming with its Toasted malt, caramelization and earthy brewed coffee. The flavours are mostly subtle but very well balanced. A bitter finish that balances and adds depth lingers on this beer.

Low-med carbonation with a hit of warm alcohol adding to the drying hop finish.

Buy this and drink it to the bottom.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 17:17:20 | More by beerSexualizer

Shadman

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark as an arctic night ale would be an alteranate name for this brew. Dark brownish-red with a fizzy off-white head and decent lacing.

Complex blend of dried fruit, dates, rum raisen & of course a bit of good ol' booze( it is 7% abv after all)

I'm sure if you asked a high brow craft brew drinker from a big city if it was possible for a beer from the Yukon ( think sled dogs and brothels) could be this well crafted...Rich, well balanced tastes that include dried dates, mild coffee, rum raisin. Alcohol barely warms inially. Finishes very much like a fine English Pale ale with a withering dryness. It's only after about 5 minutes that you realize the alcohol has bitten your tongue.

Almost chewy and full in body. Very smooth given the ABV.

My new winter ale to be sipped and savored ever time I have the fireplace going.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2009 03:57:36 | More by Shadman