Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Ale (2009-)

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Old Ale
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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On tap 5 oz. sampler at Whole Foods in Market Square in Fairfax, VA. Clear, mahogany-orange with a small, creamy, khaki head and very good lacing. Aroma of roasted malt, vanilla, dark fruit, and bourbon. Taste of sweet dark fruit, vanilla, roasted malt, oak and bourbon. Medium/full body and medium/low carbonization. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

On draft at Whole Foods Tyson’s Corner VA. Pours a hazy dark brown with an ecru head. Flavors of vanilla and toffee. Smooth but slightly boozy finish.

Bottle. Pours brown with a reddish tint and a thick white head. Nose is a little weak but has some roasty notes. Taste adds some oak and nuttiness. A little hot. Mouthfeel and carb are average. Solid brew. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Bottle is notched for 2013 and stamped "10.4%" Really dark amber that looks brown unless you hold it to the light. Nice white lacing doesn’t last long as it warms. Smell is not that intense until it warms up, then the floral (violet candies) booziness comes out. Somewhat floral and sweet caramel with a hint of hazelnut creme liqueur and maybe some chocolate. Sweet without being overly cloying because of the burn from the alcohol- the flavor is just kinda sugary and maybe marzipan then the violet-like fusel alcohol flavor comes in and the burn starts to sear all the sweet mess off my tongue.

22oz 2013 bottle: All I can say is wow! I really like this beer. Pours a rich mahogany hue with a short lived off white head. When I stuck my nose deep in to the glass the first thought that popped in to my head what bananas foster. Strong caramel aroma with banana, hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and rum. Flavors mimic the aroma. Alcohol is detectable but is works in this beer. In my opinion it helps to cut the sweetness. Soft carbonation. The finish make me think I was drinking dark rum, not beer. It might not be for everyone but I think it is worth a try at the reasonable price and unique flavor profile.

Pours a clear deep amber/ruby with a thin off white head. Aroma has light candied fruits and perfume with hints of oakiness. Flavor follows suit and adds layers of faint vanilla and earthy hoppiness. Mouthfeel is full and oily with a fruity/earthy/boozy bitter finish.

Draft at Bukowski’s Tavern in Cambridge, MA. Wintery spice. Deep mahogany appearance and big pine spice. Rich alc, tasty when cold. Interesting.

Pours a clear dark amber with an off white head. Aromas of vanilla, oak, sweet malt. Taste is sweet, boozy, slight hop afterbite. Finish is full and sweet. Lingering hotness. Eh... It’s ok.

Slightly hazy, old copper brown with a 1 finger,creamy beige head that has excellent retention and leaves a little lacing. Big malty aroma, sweet toffee, toast, honey roasted nuts, woody, buttery oak, crust, white bread, brown sugar, caramel coated granola sharp fruity esters and light earthy hops. Flavor is really big on toffee up front, a nice wallop of sweet bread spice, burnt sugar/dark caramel, buttery oak, browned butter, light smoky notes, raisin-like dark fruit notes and some toast and light herbal/earthy notes to the finish. Medium body with a chewy entry, light, but sharp carbonation and dry, somewhat astringently boozy finish. Really good stuff, a little rough around the edges - somewhat sharp and boozy - but that doesn’t really hurt it much, reminds me quite a bit of sweet dark rum.

Caramel chestnut color nice white head with very little lacing and light carbonation. the aroma is sweet and sugary with slight caramel and alcohol smell. upon taste body is medium and not to heavy on carbonation. Taste is sweet malty with wood caramel and a little heavy on the alcohol. This beer is like a ale, bock and barleywine all in one.