Greene King Strong Suffolk (Olde Suffolk)

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

Bottle into red wine glass. Pours dark brown with a thin, soapy off-white head. Some spotty lacing. Nose is big and oaky, lots of vanilla, tons of buttery toffee, a bit bready, some sweet, over-ripe fruit hiding out as well. Rich and sweet. As the beer warms, the vanilla recedes somewhat and you get some light tannins coming through as well. Taste up front is lightly acidic, with a light earthy bitterness, and some notable tannins. This gives way to more toffee towards the finish, with a soft, woody, acidity persisting as well. Finish is juicy, lingering tannins and a light, subtle earthy bitterness staying on the tongue. Mouthfeel is very lightly (almost under-) carbonated, medium bodied, though just a hair watery at times. Forced carbonation does this one a noticable disservice. Very drinkable, with a sense of refinement and depth of flavor that belie the low abv. Overall, a tasty beer that exudes class in the same way the smell of old leather does. It’s a shame this one isn’t bottle-conditioned, as that could really be the final leg needed to elevate this into a whole other realm.

16.9 oz bottle. Dark copper/brown body with mohagany highlights when held up to the light. Short, off-white head. Big caramel candy-like aroma with sweet notes of molasses, vanilla, plums, nuts and a hint of mustiness. The flavor is moderately sweet, moderately acidic and very lightly bitter. The finish leaves a bit more bittnerness along with a tartness. Slight oxidation is evident. Medium body with a watery texture and lively carbonation. Unique, complex and very enjoyable.

bottle at Coles Barleywine Tasting 2009. Part of michael Jacksons beer of the month club.C armel colored with deep red hues. Aromas of fruit, sweet malts, wood. Taste is sweet with woody oakiness, fruitiness. very smooth, elegant & pretty easy to drink

Bottle from Coles in Buffalo NY. Pours deep brown, near black, with a beige head. Sweet caramel malt aroma, maybe a bit of toffee. The flavor is a bit one sided, and quite sweet, with caramel, honey, and brown sugar. Very low bitterness. Not bad.

Delilahs Vintage Tasting. 2008 version, Red brownish colour with an off white, some what lasting head. Taste of fruit, licorice and malt. Lasting bitter taste. Easy drinking brew.

16.9oz bottle: Deep caramel pour with blood red core. Bubbly, frothy head laces nicely. The aroma is sugary sweet noting loads of sugar babies-type caramel, molasses, butterscotch, madagascar vanilla beans, fresh oak, plums, roasted cashews and earth. Very nice introduction to this beer. A touch of oxidation gives that "aged malt" note that I love in oak aged beers. The body is full and well rounded with caramalized sugars balanced by piney hops. The oak is present, but works with the crystal malt well, not overpowering. This one is drinking nicely fresh - no need to age at all.

Bottle. Pours a cola like brown amber body with a tan head. Aromatics include, a mild vinous woodiness, nutty, malted caramel, and a light metallic lingering. Nutty up front with some dry woodiness, hints of grain and nuttiness, and some vanilla. eh its okay.

Bottled, 500ml. Red chestnut colour with cream head. A very special beer this, beautifully smooth with wine, caramel and nutty notes intermingled on a soft fruity body. Some inherent sweetness, but nothing over the top and just a touch of herb, almost rosemary in character. The finish is long enough to make you want more, yet it is a comfortable chair sipper. Proof positive that Greene King can make decent beer sometimes, why don’t they put more effort into their cask ales?