Greene King Strong Suffolk (Olde Suffolk)

Brewed by Greene King
Style: Old Ale
Bury St. Edmunds, England

The nose is a mix of vanilla, grassy hops, and a likely smoky overlay. The flavor brings together soft wood notes, hops, and semi-sweet fruits, floating above a vanilla base. Nicely smooth.

Dark brown with diminishing off white head. Sweet vanilla , bubblegum and berries in the aroma. Spicy woody flavour, the bitterness builds nicely, complex. This is good and one of this breweries best for absolute sure.

Olde Suffolk is a brown beer with a very good head. While I recognized many flavors in the ale (plum, caramel and coffee) this is too smoky for my tastes.

Bottle at home ... Deep Dark Red ... wood toffee and little tartness in nose ... Rich deep complex flavour ... blackcurrent ... raisins ... rum ... quite tasty but something is lacking in the body

In short: A rich caramelized and woody English Ale. Nice beer.
How: Bottle from HogTownHarry. Thanks Harry.
The look: Clear ruby body with a small tan head
In long: Nose of toffee, wood and barrel. Creamy body with smooth and rich maltiness. Fruit cake and liquorice flavour. A little Scotch-Ale-ish. Some woody hops are not enough to balance it off. Looses a few points on its sticky resinous wood after-taste. Soft carbonation. Enjoyable well put together beer but not my style. I was hoping for more from this well rated beer. Not sure what I could have done to enjoy it more, the bottle says “ideal accompaniment to mature English cheese” but after my stay in England I’m trying to stay away from all English food.

16.9 ounce bottle in pint glass, apparently from July 2006. Dark brown with lasting tan head and lace. Toasted caramel raisin and old attic aroma. Mildy roasted caramel sweetness, raisin fruitiness, with medium hop bitter finish and slight lingering hop. Incredible soft mouthfeel. How’d they do that? Medium full body and low carbo. This is an excellent version of an ale style that seems to be currently out of vogue. Wood and portlike character really come out as it reaches room temp.

Bottle 50 cl. The bottled foamed over with opening it. Average light beige creamy head that mostly diminished. Fair display of lacework. Sparkling dark amber almost brown color. Initial sniff gave the impression of fruitcake or candies/ bubblegum like notes. Then some toffee, toasted malt and light floral feel. Over the palate some light floral notes, with again some fruity, oak, spicy and sweet cake like feel. Also almost roasted malty notes. Actually this was surprisingly complex. Medium bodied with an average carbonation. Moderated sweet flavor with light bitter notes. Light sharp oaky bitter finish that balances this beer very well.

June 2006 - Solid. Brown pour with ruby red highlights and a pillowy head with good lacing. Aroma was reminded me of a burgundy wine (not that I drink that stuff). The flavor was dominated by sweet caramel with winey fruit, licorice and buttery undertones. Mouthfeel was really creamy, clung to the tongue like a leather glove. Thoroughly enjoyable. Rerate 4/2007 - Not nearly as sweet, with more of a sour buttery undertone. Mouthfeel a little more carbonated. Not quite as enjoyable as the first time.