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Lightning Old Tempest Ale

Lightning Old Tempest Ale

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 Percentile 
74
overall
An Old Ale brewed by
Lightning Brewery

Poway, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
available

Local Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
453.38/5.03.35/5.0Autumn9%52.1Dimpled mug, Stein P  Stats

Commercial Description:
Old Tempest Ale is Lightning Brewery’s Winter Seasonal beer. This beer is a classic “Winter Warmer” or a beer that has an alcohol level that causes a “warming” feeling on sipping and drinking. This is an Old Ale or Strong Ale made in the tradition of UK brewers for centuries. We have used strictly “earthy” types of UK malted barley, UK strains of “grassy” flavoring and aroma hops, and our house strain of British Ale yeast in brewing and fermenting this beer. Also note the slight haze we have retained in the beer. That is because we avoid filtration, a process that can remove some of the complex flavors that make a big, malty beer more enjoyable. It is simply settled in the fermentation tank for months and then directly packaged for added flavor. Extensive aging is an investment for the Brewery in terms of tank space and at the same time an added value for enjoyment.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 ATLBeerDog (233), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/56/103/513/20

Jun 20, 2008  
Pours a beautiful yellow orange color that is fairly cloudy – with a below average head, and below average lacing and slightly under carbonated. Smells of very strong heavy yeast and floral hops First taste is very smooth. A nice balance here with the hops, malt and yeast. Finishes very well with a lovely bitter after taste.

 Hophead22 (258), Redlands, California, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/103/514/20
Aug 31, 2008  
22oz bottle. Poured a nice dark orange with a little yellow as well. Smells like a dark belgian beer, kind of a sweet citrus aroma too it. Kind of a light taste too it for an old ale, but good though, slight bitterness.


 Angeloregon (2002), Portland, Oregon, USA
2.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/55/102/510/20
Aug 29, 2008  
Bottle purchased at PizzaPort in Carlsbad, CA--Poured a maniacly carbonic brown-amber. Hugh thick cream colored bubbly head. Perhaps this beer bottle conditioned too long. Very malty sweet. Lacking any bittering of floral bckbone. Caramel, honey, brown sugar, white sugar, alcohol, toffee, and cardboard. A sign this beer was infected. This Ph.D. puts his name on his beer and seems proud, but so far all the Lightning beers I’ve had are poorly made and cellared. Drain pour.


 BrotherGrendel (186), San Diego (La Jolla), California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
Aug 23, 2008  
Bottle purchased at O’Brien’s. Appearance is dark orange/ruby red hue, thin off-white head mostly retains, light lacing on the glass. Smell is syrupy sweet fruits (pears, peaches, raisins), cherries, some oaky wood, honey, and caramel malts. Taste is initially dominated by caramel malts and a range of fruit flavors (pears and raisins mostly), some sour and tart tones, opens to floral hops and spices, some wood, finishes with sweet malt. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, thick semi-viscous texture, moderate carbonation. Drinkability is moderate, a light and sweet version of the Old Ale style, wide range of fruits, low alcohol presence, i was quite pleased as this was my first beer from Lightning, looking forward to more from this brewery.


 bb (2168), Martinez, California, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/55/103/511/20
Aug 16, 2008  
Bottle. Hazy amber beer with a big dark cream colored head. Toffee, earth, caramel, and stone fruit aroma. Big stone fruit flavor with caramel. Medium body. LIngering stone fruit/summer fruit with toffee. There was this undertlying earthy, slightly ropey flavor that got bigger and more annoying and I’m pretty sure the bottle was lightly infected.


 kp (6200), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/57/103/513/20
Aug 13, 2008  
Date: 06/20/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

Appearance: opaque burnt orange, wispy off white head, bits of lace,
Aroma: caramel and crystal malt aroma, touch of fruity sweetness, lots of earthyness,
Flavor: sweet malt flavor, light fruity character grows along with the sweetness as it warms, nice earthyness, touch of citrus,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4



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