Gilroy Serious Dark Ale

Brewed by Gilroy’s
Style: English Strong Ale
Roodeport, Gauteng, South Africa

Serve in English pint, Trappist glass

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UPDATED: NOV 27, 2006 Pours very dark brown, murky with small tan head, that disappears quickly. Aroma of chocolate roasted malt, fruit (apple peel) yeast, trace of alcohol. Taste is chocolate malt, nutty, fruity with some floral hoppyness. Medium body. Finishes bittersweet. Quite good.

Bottled. A hazy golden beer with a thin beige head. The aroma is sweet and acidic with notes of malt and citrus, and so is the flavor.

33 cL bottle. Pours hazy brown with a lacing off-white head. Mild mouldy and slight spiced fruity aroma. Flavour is infected orange fruity with a vague caramel malt base. Finish is mild bitter mixed with an orange fruity note. Bottles don’t seem to be clean from this brewery.

(On tap) Pours an almost clear, dark orangey brown with a beige head. Fat aroma of roasted malt and nuts. Very full-bodied with plenty of roasted malt, nuts and licorice. Lightly hoppy finish. Very, very tasty and moreish. Fresh from tap this is a small masterpiece, bottled it tends to pick up some acidity. 040508

Bottle: Appearance is dark ruby with minimal head. Aromas range from nutty fruit to cinnamon. Tastes of stewed fruit, toasted nuts, and slight berry notes. Very satisfying, although could do with more body/roundedness.

Bottle: Pours a deep burgundy with a tan film ring. Fruity aroma with some roastiness. Has a hint of prunes and berries. Less body than expected at 7% ABV. Fizzy carbonation, yet it does have a bit of roasted malt back with a dried fruit touch. The finish has some earthy dryness, but not enough. A decent effort for an English Strong, especially for South Africa.

Bottle... Hazy dark ale with burnt orange highlights and a small, off-white head. The aroma is of black tea, chocolate and brown sugar. The flavor is sweet up front, but then balanced fairly well. Light to medium-bodied with soft carbonation. Finishes sweet and chocolaty. Thanks to argo0 for providing the sample! Throw out the highest and lowest scores, I guess.

Sample provided by argo0. Hazy, muddy brown body with small, off-white head. The aroma is brown sugar, vinous and light roast. The flavor is molases and golden raisins. Medium/light body, slightly thin, quaffable.

12oz bottle, courtesy of argo0. Thanks, Aaron! Pours a medium, cola-brown appearance; light tan head with nice lacing. Dried red fruits and light roasted malts in the aroma. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: plenty of dried fruits, wet malts, and yeast; light finish, a bit dry, showing chocolate and doughy qualities.

(12oz bottle, many thanks to my friend Barrett from bringing it back with him during his recent trip to S.A.) Clear, dark cola/red body with small beige head. Aroma is medium sweet, raisin/plum, some chocolate, light smoke. Taste is moderately sweet, chocolate, light raisin/plum, roast. Medium body, low carbonation.

A strong English-type Ale right here in SA?! This has got to be the best beer brewed in Africa. A dark beer with a small head. Somewhat smokey chocolaty taste. The shield on the label showing the middle finger is most probably directed at that chemical factory called SAB.