Greene King Strong Suffolk (Olde Suffolk)

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

(Bottle) Pours near black, with red notes. Off-white head. Notes of oak, liquorice, malts and lemons in the taste. Fruity notes is present as well. GREAT!

I was lucky enough to find this beer. It comes only in 16.9oz bottle, but I was prepared for the challenge. This was a dark color with a light tan head that disappeared quickly. A oak smell quickly overcomes you. The first sip is very smooth with a small alcohol bit that does not stay. Very creamy with a slight fruity aftertaste that is not unpleasant. I would definitely recommend giving this a try

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry at Chester’s Beers of the World in Hamilton -- Vintage 1998. Pours a bubbly dark auburn with a somewhat lasting creamy tan head. Aroma of sour fruit, melon (thanks Harry!), malt and alcohol. Flavour of malt and fruit is surprisingly fresh & smooth tasting for a 7 year old beer! Very unique and enjoyable, I hope to have it again.

Bottle 鸴ml - dated 1998). Shared with blankboy at Chester’s Beers of the World, Hamilton. Poured deep clear ruby-brown with a tight creamy-foamy tan head. Aroma of sour fruit (apple, plum, raisin), a bit of white wine, a whiff of table cream - after warming and opening up, still not much malt or hop character but melon liqueur emerged. Tastes quite fruity/sour, tart cider, some woody notes. This is incredibly fresh, crisp and light for a 7-year-old bottle. Mouthfeel is very lively, somewhat acidic, average body. Overall quite mild and light for a senior citizen 6% ale, a bit one-dimensional if you don’t like tart fruit beer, but I loved it.

A Mes rate: I get the impression this could be SO much more but it is being held back. Maybe I don’t know enough to be more accurate in my description but that is what I feel. I would like to know what the Old 5x is like before they blend it, put it that way. Never the less this is decent stuff. Aroma is sweet and excellent. Apearance is even better. Dark, semi translucent and mahogany coloured. Sweet and creamy, plenty of malt with lots of dark fruit (maybe cherries) and a little hint of iron filings which I am not too keen on. Finish is dry and almost like a wine. Overall not bad at all but I just cant help but feel there are elements in there trying to come out that could make it excellent but it is being held back. Maybe it’s the blending.

Bottle.Offwhite head good lacing mostly lasting, nice chestnut colour. Bitter finish woody flavour, average beer all-together.

Bottled. Near black, but some ruby red hints in colour. Beige creamy head. Pleasant aroma of malts, licorace, oak and some caramel. Oak, malt, licorace in flavour along with some hints of lemon and some sour thing. Pleasant and smooth flavour and palate.

Near black but with very apparent red highlights; yellow-brown head, dissipating. Bit of molasses and non-bitter dark malts, no sourness as in Rodenbach, point of pepper. Fusels. Bitter, slightly hoppy initial taste, going over in a sweet, liquorice-like flavour, and some dry woodiness, but again no comparison to Rodenbach possible. Some fusels are obvious, certainly warming up. Medium bodied at best; rather watery impression. Palate is not its best feature, but the dry woodiness keeps going on for a long time, which is good. Interesting beer, needs higher cellar temperatures for serving. As a big fan of Rodenbach Grand Cru I would love to try the Old 5X, straight from the fermenters....