Ten Penny Ale - The Olde Burnside Brewing Company

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.45/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Picked up this growler in Norwalk, Connecticut while there for bmanning's wedding. Consumed at our Christmas in July party last weekend. Served in a Mikasa tulip.

Pours a light copper color with a short light tan head and a spot or two of lacing on the way down. Thin color throughout. The nose brings some light oxiized sherry and cherry character with some caramel and grainy malt. Flavor brings light fruitiness with a lot of grain and light oxidation. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Not a big fan of really anything with this beer, unfortunately.

Serving type: growler

07-19-2011 01:25:12 | More by Thorpe429

WesWes

New York

3.03/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a dark golden color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a fruity yeast scent along with a mild pale and light crystal malt aroma. There are some hops in there as well. The taste is average. It has a weak and watery malt flavor. There appears to be some peated malt in there, but it's faint. The hops add some bitterness, but not enough to make it interesting. The mouthfeel is average as well. It is a low bodied beer with a little too much carbonation. This is a forgettable brew. I wanted to like it, but it's just not very good.

Serving type: growler

10-03-2007 01:15:32 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.08/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

At the time of this review, this is the #23 Scottish Ale, growler shared by Thorpe, served in a tiny snifter.

Beer is brown and hazy, like dishwater, that forms a wispy little head of small bubbles that leaves no lacing, moderate to low carbonation.

Aroma is papery and sweet with mild roast and some caramel.

Beer is thinner than it should be and has a papery / cardboard flavor to it. This might have been a bad fill of this growler. The toffee notes are present, they are a little harsh, the finish has an unpleasant aftertaste. Perhaps something went wrong with this.

Serving type: growler

07-19-2011 12:18:30 | More by drabmuh

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Pitcher’s Pub in Cumberland, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light brown, with a short off-white head that fades at an average rate and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The smell isn’t very strong, but has notes of nuts and caramelized malt.

T: The taste is very nutty and malty, along with a hint of smokiness.

M: Smooth & crisp with a medium-to-full body, medium-to-high carbonation (a bit too high for my liking in this particular style) and a clean finish.

D: This beer is tasty, but it’s a bit filling. It’s worth drinking, but personally, I might look for something else.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2006 01:15:26 | More by TheManiacalOne

jwc215

New Jersey

2.65/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours dark hazed ruby copper with a creamy off-white head that soon thins.

The smell is musty. Some caramel and fruitiness, but something reminiscent of an amateur home-brew whose yeast is out-of-control.

The taste is chalky. A bland yeast strain comes through. Watery with tea-leaf bitterness. Some vague fruitiness. As it progresses, it does get better, but not enough to catch-up. Caramel with too much hop presence for the style comes through the chalkiness. Astringently dry.

The feel is watery, though some flavor does try to hang on.

This one almost has potential, and I would like to try again, as I think this might be a bad batch. I remember having it at a beer festival in New York City and liking it more (though I do remember it being a bit out of style). This one was brought to me by friends who bought it cold, put it in a cooler, then a fridge and given to me only a couple days later. The chalky character was relentless.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2007 02:33:35 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at The Garden Grille in Newport.

Amber-orange with a white head, good lacing. Smells sweet and faintly of roasted caramel. Taste is sweet and smooth with subtle roasted and caramel falvors. No big flavors here, but a very nice beer nevertheless. Easy drinking and tasty, a good NE craft brew for the uninitiated.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2006 16:18:53 | More by tempest

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Good initial head that settles well and slowly leaving some streaky foam lines on the glass. The color is a neutral amber--lighter than other Scotch ales I've had. There's a small amount of haze.

Semi-sweet caramel malt aroma. There's enough hop to give it balance to the nose. Blindfolded, I would guess that this is a American amber or British mild.

Far more hoppy than a typical Scotch Ale; still, this is a mostly malt brew. There's a yeast bite similar to a well-made homebrew. The swallow has a touch of pepper from the hop. The rich body is cut by the high level of carbonation. I note some earthiness to the finish.

This is not true to style, but is a very good beer.

Serving type: growler

02-15-2011 21:55:32 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks goes out to Ezone024 for this brew.

Pours a cloudy golden light brown color, nice carbonation, very nice two-finger creamy off-white head, with some nice thick/creamy sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some hop note, slightly sour/citrus note. The taste is malty, hoppy, soury, with some caramel. Drinkable, not a bad brew, nice to have had a chance to try it.

Serving type: growler

08-27-2009 23:38:13 | More by Wasatch

Billolick

New York

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

From a growler, poured nutty almond in color, with a noticable chill haze, white head and left some lace. Hops in the nose, malty flavor profile, nuts, and apricots, some grainy hoppyness coming in late, nice finish. Decent scottish ale, could use some more malt, and smoothness to get a higher rating from me, decent stuff, classy small brewery, worth checking out there brews, if youre in the Hartford, Ct. area

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2004 02:13:07 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pre-packaged growler from Randazzo's Package Store, Stafford Springs, CT.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a creamy 3/4" off-white head above the caramel-hued brew. Head settles at about 1/2", holding steady, with heavy foam lacing. Aroma is of earthy, floral hops, some heather character, with an undercurrent of pale to caramel malts. The hops and heather character carries over into the taste, producing a reasonably well-balanced brew that tends a tad toward the hops. Mouthfeel is a little rough, but after a few mouthfuls you are good to go, and the drinkability heads on up. Enjoyable brew.

Serving type: growler

11-08-2004 22:02:15 | More by ppoitras

plaid75

New York

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep amber hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a full blown grain aroma.

The taste was upfront caramel sweetness with a nutty undertone. Pure malt experience.

The mouthfeel was full.

Overall a drinkable Scottish Ale. Could have used a broader grain profile in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2006 20:59:46 | More by plaid75

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draught at Locks Landing in Bradley International airport (Hartford). Pours dark clear amber with a medium thin off-white head. Thin and sticky lacing. The aroma is lightly hoppy with scant malt and caramel. Medium-bodied and tart, with hops, citrus and mild spice flavors. The finish is smooth and bitter but not very flavorful. Definitely a pleasant surprise during a long layover and easy drinking to boot, not to mention my first beer from CT.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2005 04:12:25 | More by Dogbrick

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 6/15/08. On tap at Corner Pug, West Hartford, CT. Pours a light brown with a small white head. Aroma of sweet malts. Initial flavor is sweet, followed by bitter hops, roasted malt. Decent beer and quite drinkable.
Aroma: 6/10
Appearance: 4/5
Flavor: 7/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 13/20
3.4/5

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2008 15:57:06 | More by LilBeerDoctor

blackie

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance: The pour from the growler creates a negligible white head that quickly disappears. The beer is a very clear, light copper color. I am guessing this one falls into the "light" category of scottish styles.

smell: Light caramel malts, a gentle fruity character, and a delicate hoppiness characterize this beer. Maybe some apple and berry notes.

mouthfeel: Carbonation is on the lower end of the medium range, plenty of bubbles but smooth. The body is a mid-range thin.

taste: More of the same stuff as on the nose. The caramel is more subdued here than in the smell. A slight baked apple flavor is present. Just enough hop bitterness.

drinkability: Not bad tasting, very easy drinking.

Had my roommate pick this beer up for me while he was visiting home in Connecticutt for Thanksgiving break. Sat in my fridge for about a week and a half, with no noticeable degredation of flavor.

Serving type: growler

12-04-2005 00:50:20 | More by blackie

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.03/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My flight out of the Hartford airport was delayed, so I stopped in to the concourse bar for a libation; this was the only craft offering, and luckily enough I'd never reviewed it. On-tap into in a Ten Penny pint glass.

A: Tough to tell from the frosted glass (frosted in its manufacture, not from being chilled), but I'm guessing it's a slightly cloudy orange-brown body; the ecru head is thin but persistent. Ok.

S: Toasted malt, slight caramel, faint herbal hops, and that's about it. Simple and a little boring, but nothing off.

T: Follows the nose: toasty, slightly sweet malt dominates, with some light herbal hops providing balance on the bittersweet finish. Pretty clean, but very boring.

M: Hugely lively medium body. Very prickly. Ok.

O: This one is drinkable, but thoroughly uninteresting. Kind of the definition of an average beer.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2012 14:17:09 | More by woosterbill

Gmann

New York

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden brown color with a big dense off-white head. Left a wall of lacing on the glass as the head disipated.

The aroma was overall metallic. Some rust notes to go along with a steely caramel malt base. Some tea like scents as well.

The taste is of a lightly bready malt with some caramel flavor. Big metal flavor along with hard water and minerals. Seemed to nail the "burton-on-trent" pale ale flavor. Solid but not exciting.

Light bodied with active carbonation. Its balanced and finishes slightly dry.

Wasn't sure of the style when I tried. I thought it was a solid english amber ale. Worth a try if nothing better around.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2011 23:16:45 | More by Gmann

Durge

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Was glad to see this offered at T. Pic's bar in Waterbury, CT (soon to be The Publick House, go there!!). Poured from the growler into a pint glass, this one showed a slightly hazey dark iced tea color with a modest off-white head and fair scattered lacing. The aroma was a somewhat malty rye, a touch grassy but mild and mellow, pleasant. The flavor was a very nice blend of spicey rye and mild brown sugar malt. Mild but effective carbonation in a medium bodied silky feel. I really like this with it's polite hint of bitterness, somewhere between herbal and citrus. This tasted better than I remember it from the tap some time ago, so I will be sure to snag a growler for home sometime soon. Well done!

Serving type: growler

04-04-2009 18:37:59 | More by Durge

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap and served in a pint glass, the beer is a muddled amber-brown coloring, very cloudy to the point of being opaque. No head on the pour, but a slight ring of bubbling was present. The beer had a very sweet aroma, with some nut and coffee bitterness. I was preparing for a creamy feel, but surprisingly enough this beer is a bit effervescent and bubbly, while still being on the creamy side. The beer's flavors are toasty, with chocolate and coffee characteristics in the forefront. The beer is like Hershey kisses melted in a cup of coffee. The beer is light, and the aftertaste is chocolate sweet, with a slight lingering finish of burnt characteristics.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2011 02:49:02 | More by GarthDanielson

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass

Appearance: light brown in color, 1 inch head, clear, moderate carbonation

Smell: toasted malt, peat, and earth

Taste: caramel, flowers, toasted malt, cocoa, and bittering earthiness

Mouthfeel: light bodied for the style, moderate carbonation, sweet with earthy bitterness

Overall: A nice and sessionable Scotch ale that hits all the right points but is never overbearing. I could have several pints of this. I like Scotch ales and have had several, so this is above average compared to all Scotch Ales, but is still a treat.

Serving type: growler

11-27-2012 15:26:14 | More by tigg924

Boto

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Draught: I was happy to see a local beer at the airport while waiting for a plane in addition to the usual macro swill. The beer pours an amber color with just a bit of head. There is some lacing to go with it. The aroma has a hint of peat with a slight burnt nose. I liked the maltiness of this beer. Not overly malty, but still having a full body. Hops balance is good. Not overpowering, just a hint. A very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2005 19:16:16 | More by Boto

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had at Adams Mill in Manchester, CT on 11/2
Served in a pint glass

A: This beer pours a deep amber color with a one finger of pristine white, creamy head. Head recedes at a moderate pace and leaves nice splotches of lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is caramel malts, earthy hops, and a hint of smoke.

T: Taste starts with a burst of earthy, piney hops. The middle fills with a sweet caramel and toffee flavoring with just a touch of nuttiness as well and a hint of smokiness that really carries through in to the finish.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, clean and crisp bodied with a bit of an oily finish.

D: Nice kick, nice representation of style, not too filling, this is a nice beer to have a few pints for an evening.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 22:56:08 | More by Jayli

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A local legend around these here parts.

Clear, copper color. Cascading white head leaves a thick crust of rocky foam. Dissolves into a frothy miasma that throws up some lacey splashes.

Light, sweet toffee, and nutty hickory kettle corn and earthy hop tea aroma. Velvety smooth mouthfeel although I could see it leaning towards tea-like and watery for some. Regardless, great for a 5.5% abv.. Taste is kettle corn, caramel and earthy hop spice.

Sweet and earthen and has that perfect balance of complexity and accessibility that mark my favorite beers. Great stuff.

Serving type: growler

05-24-2010 11:34:04 | More by donkeyrunner

StJamesGate

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Growler from Beer Universe, Saugerties, NY.

Fluffy taupe over tea-like orange amber.
Brack, peanut and maybe candied apple nose.
Red pear, red licorice, and raisins, then tea leaf and tobacco hops.
Chewy, light-medium, dry.

Clean, light, and drinkable. No hops to speak of. A speck of chocolate malt in there. Nothing groundbreaking, but simple and classy.

Serving type: growler

02-28-2013 02:07:23 | More by StJamesGate

philbe311

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up on a recent swing through CT...

A - A fairly active pour with cascading carbonation and foam which yields two fingers worth of airy light tan colored foam with a very rocky top... Excellent retention gives way to full rich lacing... The color is a very light caramel with some slight amber highlights within... A slight bit of moderate paced carbonation rises sporadically throughout...

S - Toasted malts and sweet caramel dominate... Some light toffee notes... Perhaps a bit of peat... A slightly metallic tinge...

T - Sour dough bread... Toasted malts... Caramel... Toffee... Earthy... Some metallic notes...

M - Medium bodied... Exceedingly smooth... Sleek... Light and airy... Brisk carbonation... A bit of a bitterness (in a non-hoppy manner)...

D - An average at best Scottish Ale... I'm not quite sure what it is, but there something on the palette that is bit off about this one that I just can't get by... There aren't many Scottish Ales that I've head that I would recommend or reinvest in, but unfortunately this is one of them...

Serving type: growler

08-12-2011 22:50:44 | More by philbe311

far333

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark amber color, with a dark tan head full of big frothy bubbles. The head lingers long and laces nicely down the glass. There is a strong hop aroma with nuances of esthers and yeast. The carbonation is low, and the flavor imparts a strong hop bitterness. Not too malty, but sort of a dough flavor with hints of apricot and pine. Light for a Scottish ale, but a very nice offering from a new young brewer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2003 03:50:59 | More by far333