Drakes Apple Brandy Barrel Olde Ale

Formerly brewed at Drakes Brewing Company
Style: Old Ale
San Leandro, California USA

Bottle purchased from Monument Win and Liquors. Drank at room temperature based on advice from the brewer’s assistant. Spicy, apple-like aroma with some band aid notes present, too. A little sweet chocolate and vanilla is also detected. Moderately hazy brown-amber body with a frothy, creamy, light tan head that leaves attractive lacing. Starts a little peppery, astringent with some apple-like brandy barrel flavors. A bit overpowering before some musty, caramelly, chocolate malty notes take over. Some late apple berrel flavors make an appearance with some sweet butterscotchy flavors. Unique, but amazingly overpriced at $8 for a 6 ounce bottle.

Thanks to Brock Landers for this bottle. Pours brown, with an off white head. Aroma is caramel, apples, and alcohol. Flavor is apples, alcohol, and sugar. A bit too dry. Not bad, just average. I was hoping for better.

A 125 ml bottle for $6.99 (!!!) from the Bottle Barn, Santa Rosa. Cloudy brown with no head. Sour apple, alcohol, and oak aroma. Tangy bright palate. The taste fails to live up to the aroma. Over-ripe fruit taste that doesn’t really mesh well with brandy flavors. Disappointing overall.

Thanks to Dad for this. Color is a foggy brown, thin light tan head. Aroma is brandy, oak, caramel, some apple, alcohol. Taste is light alcohol, toffee, brandy, does have a medicinal quality to it which for sure is coming from the brandy barrel. Doesn’t mesh. It’s ok.

(bottle from ledgers)murky brown with a small head that swims to the sides of the glass.aroma is sour apples,caramel malt,and a medicinal tang.flavor is much of the same with the medicinal funk really shinning through.and i cant say thats a good thing.

6 oz Bottle from Hollingshead Deli! Nose of apples, a little tartness, woodiness, dark fruit, and spices; lightly hazed rust color with a medium beige head that lightly laces the glass; flavor is oaky with some caramel and a brandy; body medium with an alcohol finish. Maybe time will cool the alcohol down so I will put my second bottle in my collection with all my other Drakes nippers!

6 oz. bottle. Aroma of apple as the cap leaves the bottle. In the snifter alcohol is added. Deep amber color with a head that quickly filmed. Woody notes apparent as the liquid approaches the lips. Medium bodied. Moderately carbonated. Starts caramelly sweet, quickly followed by astringent oakiness. Some lacing appears in the snifter. The finish is oak, alcohol, and some bitter. Whether the bitter is from wood or hop is beyond me. I think another year in the barrel might have mellowed it. As is, it’s a bit harsh around the edges. Rough on the throat. All that being said, it is an interesting effort to contrast with flemish sour ales. More than one route to a particular goal.

6 oz nip bottle - pours dark murky amber. Heavy cider aroma moreso than Old Ale, with minimal hops elements. Plenty of wood and brandy, and surprisingly there is some apple sweetness. Tasty, but not nearly worth its hefty price tag.