Coopers Vintage Ale

Brewed by Coopers Brewery
Style: English Strong Ale
Regency Park, South Australia, Australia

Batch # 14 October 2002, Sampled January 2005
Pours a hazy amber orange color that is topped by a thin tan colored head, with a medium level of carbonation. The aroma is malty with some weird almost vegetal notes, as well as notes of alcohol, cleaning solution, caramel. The beer is sweet, quite well carbonated and has subtle oxidation notes of sherry. In some ways it is quite light on the palate. The taste is much more agreeable than the aroma hinted at. This is definitely slanted on toward the malty side of the spectrum, in some ways it even reminds me of diluted malt extract. Certainly interesting, and I am glad that I picked this up, but I think that it might be a bit more malty and fresh tasting if it was a bit younger.

The quality of this annual release varies considerably from year to year with the changing recipe. I loved the 2000 but was disappointed by the 2001.The 2000 vintage (7.1%) is rated here because my memory of the 2001 is muddied by the eight beers I had afterwards. It poured a teak colour with a fading head. Sherry notes in the sweet malty nose. Some fruit characters. The palate is surprisingly moderate and quenching. Big fruity character, like the same brewer’s sparkling ale on steroids. Carries its alcohol very easily. Very smooth drinking. (Bottle, 2000 batch)

October 02 version.Pours brown with hints of nuts and brandy.The alcohol had some presence but was not overwhelming.I just didnt care for this beer.The finish had some alcohol lasting on my mouth.

October 2002 edition Apperance: A nice dark reddish brown hue, with very little head that faded quickly. Aroma: It is an english style so its somewhat mild, but its got a little spiceness that reminds me of coriander but not quite. Flavor: Rather mild and unassuming at first, as it warms a little bit the malt and sweet toffee comes out, and I’m pretty sure theres a touch of coriander in it, which is unusal for a strong ale style, but welcome. Slightly wet/oily and refreshing finish. Its high ABV was well hidden but the effects could be felt by a little warming at the end. Overall: At first I didn’t think much, now I think this is pretty decent stuff. One of the finer ESA’s I’ve had.

2004 release. This is nice enough. Spicy little finish off a fairly light palate. Initial malt etc, alcohol is not overly dominant but is apparent. I really ought to buy a bunch of this and try it in a couple years. However I ought to do that with some other beers first, probably won’t.

Tasted the 2004 Version. A whiff of malt and alcohol greet you. It is quite drinkable given it’s strength, but you can taste the alcohol due to the relatively low bitterness. Taste is balanced towards malty sweetness with hints of fruity flavors. It’s good, but I think the Cooper’s label leads some to perceive that it is better than it is.

12.12.04 Batch No. 4-Oct/2002 Dark golden pour with tiny ring of lasting head and a seaquarium of floating, bobbing, and diving hunks of sediment -- I think a few had fins. Aromas are sour and pear, sweet toffee, perfumey (but not floral). Heaps of tingly eff break up an oily mouthfeel. Some honey but pretty bland overall. Seems like a light English Pale Ale fortified with some extra booze.

Bottle is 2 years old, um....after the "smoke" cleared upon opening the bottle, the beer poured well into an English pint glass. The head is thick and billowy like frothy swiss cheese. The initial flavor is of toffee-butterscotch...malt, malt and more malt. The palate is oily gliding quickly over the taste buds. The carbonation is barely noticeable, and the flavor ends in brandyish notes.