Craftsman Oak Aged Edgars Ale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Pasadena, California USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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Sampled on tap at Lucky Baldwin’s, June 2007
I was so pissed that I missed this by one person at a beer festival in 2004, I am quite happy to get another chance to try this beer.

The beer has a dark, creamed chocolate brown colored head that starts out a fat-finger in thickness and is fairly frothy. The head sits atop a dark, deeply brown, almost black colored beer. The aroma is an interesting melange. It is not as roasted as I was expecting and it has some burnt fruit notes that are quite nice and rounded. Notes of burnt figs, blackened raisins and even something akin to cherry are noticeable. The aromatic finish has some spicy, woody notes to it. There is a dark malt character here and it leans towards notes of dark chocolate and lightly roasted coffee.

The beer is thick and creamy tasting. It picks up some chocolate & malt sweetness towards the middle and this lingers on into the finish. The finish is offset by a spicy oak character that leans towards rye-whiskey type flavors in some way. This beer has some really nice flavors going on. Notes of roast malt mix in with spicy, whiskey like flavors, ample chocolate notes, plus some hints of roasted prunes. Dusty cocoa powder notes are noticeable in the finish as the beer warms up a bit. This is a really nice beer; it is certainly a sipping beer and it is nicely contemplative.

Draught at Tiger!Tiger! The chalkboard states this is bourbon barrel aged, so I’m putting my entry here. Black with a beautiful dark mocha head, two fingers with pretty good retention. Chocolate dominates with some soft bourbon Noyes, yeasty dough and some light caramel and roast following. Flavor has slightly harsher bourbon notes, and the roast is stronger and more ashy, also some soy sauce is present. Once it warms, there is a little soy in the nose. The finish is dry, ashy. Bitterness peaked at a 5-6, alcohol present. Low carbonation, medium full body. Started out fairly nice, nut didn’t keep the momentum I was hoping it would.

On tap at Hamilton’s. Dark reddish-black. Aroma of toasted malt, bourbon, chocolate and coffee. Big bitter toasted malt and oak taste, with a hint of caramel sweetness. Lingering toasted bitterness. Not very mellowed for barrel-aged, but very tasty.

Tap at Beachwood BBQ. More or lessl black. Aroma of roasted malt and light bourbon. The bourbon comes through in the flavor, but does not overwhelm. It mixes nicely with roasted malt flavors, chocolate, and smoked malt. Smooth and creamy with a touch of alcohol in the body. Very enjoyable stuff.

On tap at Beachwood BBQ. This was a nice, easy-drinking, and not over-done barrel-aged stout/porter. The oak flavors complimented the flavors without overwhelming them. Tap pour was deep brown nearing black with a nice frothy tan head. Aroma is chocolatey rich without too much roastiness and the perfect amount of oak. Flavors combined well with a nice dry bitter finish. This was a nice brew and I’m glad to have had a chance to try it.

Tasted on tap at the 2007 Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival. This American Strong Ale pours an eclipse black color from tap. Medium sized tan foamy head. Aroma is malty, chocolate, dark fruit and some bourbon. A medium bodied American Strong Ale. The malts are fruity and sweet, with a fairly sweet chocolate flavor as well. The hops are earthy and floral. Nice balance. There is a touch of barrel sweetness that adds to the overall flavor. Craftsman beers are always interesting. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Draft. Rich mahogony beer with a light tan head. Rich caramel aroma with light smokiness and backing roast. Caramel, roast, slight smoke flavor with light citrus hop backing. Medium-plus body. Lingering caramel, roast, light coffee, smoke, and grapefruit. Nice.

PP Strong Ale Fest. Pours black with a 2 finger tan head. Nice malty chocolate nose. Taste is sweet, with high alc in htere. Nice mlaty, choco, coffee. GReat.

Craftsman beers: seek them out!!! always different, nothing to style, thanks Mark Jilg Jet black, a bit sweet, tasty.

Pretty tasty . . . on tap at Lucky B’s. Pours dark, small tan head. Choclatey aroma. Slightly sweet, well balanced, complex and bitter. Nice beer. Pairs well with cigars and bangers and mash.

On tap at Stone and another great and under-rated beer from Craftsman. Black with a creamy tan head. Aroma of oak, tobacco, and leather. Dark chocolate, oak, and a nice aged musky taste with a smooth, creamy velvet mouthfeel, and a pleasantly bitter finsih.