Blue Cat Big Bad Dog Olde English Ale

Have had this on tap at the brewpub and at Old Chicago and was severely let down both times... not a good beer.

I just don’t get this beer. it is their biggest regular offering, but is bland and slightly astringent. barely drinkable....boring

Tap at old chicago. Pours a dark brown with a small head. Heavy malts with spice in the nose. Flavor is sweet but spiced enough to not have it be overpowering. Some smoke in here too, and dark fruits. Mostly raisins. Hops are more present that I thought they would be. Medium carbonation. Nice.

Served a raspberry-hued amber, rather dark with a tan, filmy head leaving minor, watery lacing. I found the nose to be a bit adjuncty. There were peppery, herbal bitters to a roasted, grainy background, but I was a bit put-off. Flavor improved with a mild caramel sweetness followed by a decent meld of malts and earthen bitters.

<font size=-4>Sampled at the "The Pig" (with the previous two knuckleheads) whilst at the <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Events-Detail.asp?EventID=4708>May, 2007 Chicago Group Gathering</font>

Rating 1048, on tap at the Blind Pig in Champaign Illinois while at the Chicago area gathering in Champaign. Amber, hazy with a medium sized white head that is long lasting. The nose is watery and malty. Soggy like. Taste is wet grainy with a hint of darker fruit and malts. This is my first beer from Blue Cat and I will look for some more.

Although an unrepentant hop-head, on occasion I enjoy a good malty brew, and this is that. The body is a deep reddish brown sporting a fluffy, good lacing off-white head. The aroma is rich and malty without getting too sweet, having some burnt toast and smoke to keep that in check. It has a nice toasted malt flavor to it, sweet with touches of stoned fruits, and a hint of woody smokiness to it. A good robust ale.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=3808>Blind Pig Co., Champaign, IL<font size=-1>

Draught at the brewpub. Clear ruby color with off white head that laced the glass. Not uch aroma other than some dried fruit and light alcohol. Sweet and roasty on the tongue with a touch of cherries. Tart finish,

On tap at Govnor’s Pub Brew Daze ’06. Dark rich and flavorful, a bit sweet. Really a good heavy beer.