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Williamsburg AleWerks 400 Ale

 (RETIRED)
Williamsburg AleWerks 400 Ale - American Strong Ale

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 Percentile 
66
overall
An American Strong Ale formerly brewed by
Williamsburg AleWerks

Williamsburg, Virginia USA

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
753.26/5.03.25/5.0Special6.5%14Snifter, Trappist glass P  Stats

Commercial Description:
"400" Ale commemorates the founding of the first Virginia Settlement and with it, the founding of the American brewing industry. Beer was an essential component of everyday life in Jamestown, only the security and shelter provided by the triangular shaped fort and cultivation of edible (no doubt including barley) crops outranked the production of beer in importance. Fresh water flowing in local streams and the recently excavated well provided a source of potable water, but beer and other "processed liquids, primarily beer" were preferred drinks.
This ale, like the ales of the time, is brown in color. This beer may be more robust than 18th century brews, a liberty we chose to take. How could we possibly do justice to so important an event of 400 years ago, with anything other than a truly robust, full flavored contemporary "Imperial Brown Ale." Cheers
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 arrogantb (389), Denver, Colorado, USA
2.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/51/103/58/20
Feb 20, 2009  
This smelled really like a nice brown ale, roasty, nutty, cool! Unfortunately the taste was sour but not in a good way. I don;t know if this was intentionally sour or not but it does not work for this beer. Sadly, this beer ended up as a drain pour as I could not drink it. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 06-21-2008 01:57:36


 JCB (1534), Durham, North Carolina, USA
1.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
4/102/54/103/56/20
Nov 18, 2008  
22oz from Once Upon a Vine, Richmond. Nice dark brown pour, almost mahogany with bits of amber in there. Minimal carb, almost looks soupy once it’s in the glass. I was all keyed up for something malty and nutty, but I got a dank, vegetal funk instead. I’m not talking oud bruin, and happy dank. I’m talking infected. Mild yeasty notes are detectable if you’re looking for something palatable and somewhat to style. But there’s some serious oxidation going on to top off the likely infection. Shame, as other ratings seem to suggest the ale is - when healthy - exactly what I’d hoped for and expected. As is: drainpour.


 SpringsLicker (1977), Tennessee, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/56/103/513/20
Nov 2, 2008  
Bottle in trade from Butters. Tall tan head that floats over a clear dark brown body. Coffee dark chocolate malt aroma. Tastes like your typical brown ale with a slightly sour/bitter note in the finish. I would probably pass on this one next time.


 BeerHawk (1050), Huntsville, Alabama, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/514/20
Oct 5, 2008  
Bottle from trade with Butters. Poured a dark brown with a creamy tan head that left light lacing. Aromas of molasses, nut, malts, and a hint of hops. The flavor roasty coffee, chocolate, caramel, and hop background. Medium body, sweet up front and a bitter ending. Roast and nut aftertaste. Decent.


 mwelsh13 (421), Maryland, USA
2.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/102/54/102/59/20
Sep 16, 2008  
22 oz bottle poured deep brown with very little head. What was there left quickly. Peat, dark fruit and molasses aroma. Flavor matches the aroma. Not sure what they were going for. No hops at all. This is the third of three bottles. Did not get any better rover the time.


 jgb9348 (2402), Arlington (Pentagon City), Virginia, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/102/512/20
May 27, 2008  
Nice deep brown coloured body with a thinnish tan head and some bubbles rising from the bottom. Aroma of sour grapes, malt, tobacco and even a bit of nuts. Medium-bodied; Strong malty flavour with the potent sour qualities tucked in with a bit of sweetness. Aftertaste shows more of the same, something funky going on for the majority of the taste. Overall, a decent beer - not absolutely horrible, but I was expecting a bit more from this one. I sampled this 65 cL bottle purchased from Grape & Gourmet in Virginia Beach, Virginia on 25-May-2008 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.


 Butters (1278), Not-so-Temporarily in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
1.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/55/102/54/20
May 8, 2008  
I’ve had 5 bottles of this over the past year and one thing is certain: It ain’t for aging! The first sampling I had was very fresh, within 2 weeks of bottling. Pretty tasty at that time, but I do recall not being overly impressed. Every subsequent tasting has brought out one consistent characteristic: INFECTION. The longer it sits, the more those Brett qualities shine. I’m a fan of WAW specialty beers, but this one took a turn for the worse. It makes a pretty decent lambic now though...


 nuplastikk (919), Maryland, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/516/20
May 1, 2008  
22oz bomber purchased at the brewery shop. Displays/suffers some of the undesirable qualities other raters have mentioned, such as oxidation, sourness, and little to no head. Relatively uncarbonated. Despite these flaws, I found the beer to be quite enjoyable. Rich porter-like toffee and chocolate notes. Some solid brown nutty malt flavors come through as well. Doesn’t say the ABV on the bottle. I’d really like to have this one on draft.



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