Greene King Strong Suffolk (Olde Suffolk)

Brewed by Greene King
Style: Old Ale
Bury St. Edmunds, England

Pours black with a little ruby where the glass is thin. Small off-white head that quickly disappears. Aromas of oak, vanilla, biscuity malts, and a hint of diacetyl. A little smokiness, as well. Flavor dominated by the oak and vanilla. Some slight toffee and licorice flavors. The oak imparts whiskey-like notes, which could also be likened to very sweet, flat root beer. Finally, an oak-aged beer that showcases the oak, in appearance, aroma, and flavor. Excellent beer.

Mine was a bottle, and the recent 2004 brew. It was much sweeter than I did expect, but very nice. I could clearly taste that this beer was aged (some port), furthermore nice malt (roasted), alcohol and nice fruits. A really nice brew!

Bottle (vintage 2000): dark amber colour, red sparks, thin brownish head, lacing; dark malt and vinous fruit (plums) aromas; starts with a sweet sour maltiness; big deep complex taste: winey fruit and malt in the mouth, quite full bodied; finishes with big fruity and some chocolate tastes; a very rich brew, not so sour as the flemish "brothers", hearty, juicy: extremely pleasant !

I was excited to see this one at Peace St. Market, Raleigh. Pours burnt sienna with medium tan head. Aroma is big almonds, toffee, caramel malt, scotch, figs, cinnamon, prickly pears. Tastes caramel malty, with a firm palate which included taste hints of caramel malt, almonds, figs, molasses, pears, cinnamon, maple syrup, and heather. More complexiy as it warmed, and this one was balanced as well as complex at every turn. I’d go down on Oprah for a case of this stuff (15 seconds per bottle, up to a maximum of 6 minutes).

Bottled. 2000-edition. Red brown coloured with a beige head. Sweet aroma of malts and wood with notes of caramel. Sweet flavour of malts and caramel with notes of wood, dried fruit and sherry. Dry hoppy finish with notes of wood.

Bottled, vintage 2000 (BB 10/2006)
My 100th rated English beer
Dark ruby color, small mostly vanishing tanned head. Sweet berry-like aroma with oak, alcohol and licorice - like in a portwine. Medium to full-bodied. Tasty oaky tannine flavors with liquerish palate. Oily slightly alcoholic and hoppy bitter aftertaste. Palate just not hold 100% till the end but otherwise an outstanding beer.

This is nice and dry. Seems like the tannins dry my tongue The smell is still fresh and fruity, not much hops. The malt backbone is a bit gone... Rather clear and dark.

Classic ale. Very enjoyable, with a nice balance of sweetness and bitterness. The alcohol is hid nicely, so drink slowly and savor the flavor. Improves as it warms.