Capital Vintage Ale

Brewed by Capital Brewery
Style: American Strong Ale
Middleton, Wisconsin USA

Dull orange pour; lifeless, skirting foam. Aroma of oranges, cream, and vanilla in a burst of smooth sweetness give way to a heated fruitiness of apple and pear. Brown sugar glazed, with bits of berry and plenty of dry alcohol that tends to be rather sterilizing. Flavor is full of Capital’s house character that always brings to mind the subtle, sweet warmth of British and German malts; while rich with molasses, caramel and oily pecan tones, it’s amplified by heat a bit beyond its reach. Slightly grassy, while bursts of that apple, pear, and maple syrup character of blonde dopplebock continuously clammer against the heat to keep it interesting. Medium bodied, crispy, and hot in the mouth; finishes with some creme brulee crust and blonde cake batter, like a tangy slightly watered down bourbon in its dryness at the end. Likeable; a solid effort from a reliable brewery.

Yikes. Vintage Ale did one thing well: burn. The alcohol’s burn neutralized all other flavors in the ale. The aroma was malty, but I could tell there were some strong hops in there. I think the hops are intended to beat out the alcohol flavor, but Vintage Ale went down more like a brandy than a beer. Obviously well-made for its style, but wow!

(Bottle) Pours a light amber color with a good amount of lasting white head. Not too much in the way of aroma, but some hops and light malt were present. Interesting fruity notes, including a distinct winey finish. Sweet and rather alcoholic finish. Light hoppy notes as well, but not enough to adequately balance it. Ehhh...

Bottled. I was surprised to find an ale from Capital. Hazy dark orange body with a yellowish khaki head on top. This smelled of caramel and gingerbread cookies. Some oranges hide behind that character. The taste is muted grapefruit hops that are immediately overtaken with biscuits and stale almonds. There is a little bit of cake donut in this one. A decent brew, but needs a little more hops or something for character.

12 oz bottle. Hazy amber with a thin white head. Sweet candylike malt nose, fruity with a tinge of pine. Sweet malt flavors, some honey notes, a touch of alcohol. Medium bodied mouthfeel, a touch of stickiness. A mild earthy bite comes in at the very end of the sweet finish.

This beer was not very good. Tasted like bad bourbon. I drank 3/4 of a bottle and could not stomach the rest.

Bouteille 12 oz, courtoisie de Hogtownharry. De couleur ambrée et semi-voilée. Nez malté de caramel sucré, fruité (abricots, moyen d’agrumes), léger d’alcool et de houblon herbeux, légèrement floral et aux notes terreuses. Moyennement ronde en bouche avec un pétillement moyen et une texture légèrement sirupeuse. Goût fruité (abricots sucrés, moyen d’agrumes sucrés, notes de poires, traces de figues) lors de l’entrée en bouche auquel se rajoute un goût malté de caramel assez sucré (notes de toffee) accompagné de notes de pain parallèlement à un goût moyen-amer de houblon herbeux, moyennement terreux et aux notes florales ainsi qu’un léger goût d’alcool réchauffant (notes liquoreuses) jusqu’en finale où l’on retrouve également des traces d’épices (poivre). Post-goût long, moyennement amer d’alcool doux, de houblon herbeux, légèrement terreux et floral ainsi qu’un goût fruité (pelures d’abricots et notes de zest d’agrumes).

12oz bottle. Poured a medium and hazy orange color wtih an average sized off white head. Aromas of melon rinds, fruity, grains, caramel, and spicy. Tastes of caramel, sweet malts, fruity, and citrus. Light alcohol in the finish.