 TheBeerLover (1013), DC Metro Area, USA
Jan 25, 2006
Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale isn’t really one beer, it is a blend of two different beers. The brewery starts with brewing a beer called Old 5X which is a strong ale weighing in at a mighty 12% abv. They then take the Old 5X, and let it mature for 2-5 years in 100 barrel oak vats at the brewery. This oak aged Old 5X is then blended with a dark, fresh, full bodied beer called BPA just before bottling. The result of the blend of Old 5X and BPA is a dark, fruity, oaky, complex, and delicious beer coming in at 6% abv. That beer is Suffolk Strong Vintage Ale.
One of the most amazing beer experiences of my life happened when I had the honor of sampling cask conditioned, pure, unblended Old 5X, at a beer tasting held at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. The tasting was conducted by none other than the Beerhunter himself, Michael Jackson. It was the first time Old 5X had ever left the brewery, the unblended 12% oak aged strong ale is not sold to the public, and there are no plans to ever sell it. This beer was amazingly complex, oaky, strong, and warming. I was in awe of this beer. It was one for the ages, but I take comfort in the fact that I can somewhat recapture that experience with a bottle of Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale. This is truly an amazing beer, and is as world class as a beer will ever get.
Strong Suffolk Vintage Ale pours to a beautiful, bright, deep garnet color with a slight tan head, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose is amazingly complex and inviting. Deep aromas of oak, sweet malt, toffee, dark malt, estery fruit, and yeast flood the nose. The palate is full with big pale, sweet, and caramel malt flavors. This marries with estery fruity flavors of plum and apple, along with strong notes of oak. Strong Suffolk finishes with more big malty and fruity flavors up front, and ends with a very pleasing, sour/oaky, slightly warming, yet refreshing edge.
This is without question one of the most impressive beers that I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in all my years as a beer lover. I would not dare match this with food, this is a beer that is meant to be drank and appreciated by itself in my opinion.
joe19612 (441), camberley, Surrey, England
Nov 28, 2008 Bottle. Pours a very dark colour, the aroma is roasty with a hint of molasses, the taste is full of chocolate, dark fruit. Surprisingly bitter. Lots of flavour but not overwhelming.
Scauca (297), Lovere, Italy
Nov 28, 2008 Dark amber with a veil of brown foam. Nose is pervaded by ripe fruits and a oxidized note, all well mingling with a slight vinous hue. Well bodied, sweet, warming.
Allen (699), Wölflinswil, Switzerland
Nov 20, 2008 Bottled 50cl. It pours a beautiful nut brown beer with a nice beige head. Buttery malty, sweet nose with banana showing up. Very pleasant palate. Lovely taste with hints of caramel, candy floss, mince pies, oak, berries, brown sugar and banana. Good lacework. Full bodied. Decent bitterness. Nicely balanced. Smooth. Faintly salty. Nuts, candy floss, hops and coffee in the finish which lasts for quite a while. A very pleasant experience.
bgiamatei (189), São Paulo, Brazil
Oct 30, 2008 Uma cerveja encorpada. amargor muito bom, com tons torrados. Espuma boa e com coloração caramelo. Cheiro bom, suavemente adocicado e torrado. Coloração escura, caramelo, bonita. Tem corpo e sabor. Especial. Ganhou top na aparência vez que a garrafa ajudou.
jfb (129), Freising, Germany
Oct 22, 2008 (bottle) dark ruby colour with a frothy off-white head. aroma of caramel, toffee, bread, oak, strong vinuous notes and coffee. flavour is mostly smooth roasted malts, oak, bread, caramel and light alcohol. medium body and carbonation, pleasant dry finish.
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