Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog Ale (2008 and earlier)

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Old Ale
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

1L swingtop shared by Georgiabeer at the Brick Store. Pours a viscous black with a ridiculously dark mocha head that recedes very slowly and settles in as a solid cap with some good lacing. The aroma is of massive sweet malts, chocolate malts, before it warmed up. When it warmed up, the thing turned into a toasted beast with plenty of smoke, toasted malts and espresso. The taste mirrors the aroma and has a massive toasted malt backbone with plenty of dark chocolate and roasted coffee. There are hints of hops as well and plenty of smoke in the finish. The mouthfeel is close to full bodied and coats the mouth with the toasty malted body. This is a great impy stout and one that lives up to its name as it’s toasty, smoky, malty and very tasty. I wouldn’t call it crazy drinkable by any means, but it’s a very good sipper.

Served on tap at Ginger Man (NYC). Dark brown color with a moderate off-white head. Fruity aroma with a hint of alcohol. Unusual, intricate taste. Nuts, fruits, a hint of chocolate. Something tasted a bit "off". Good amount of alcohol in the taste. Medium mouthfeel. Not my favorite Smuttynose offering, but an average beer.

Bomber thanks to Mike over on BA. Dark brown, filtered, clear. Small head. Nose is a bit alcoholy, malty. Taste is very sweet, a bit whiskey-ish (?), very alcoholic for the 7%, rich, a bit funky. I don’t see the brown ale in this but it’s a very drinkable beer. A bit complex too.

Bottle. Pours clear mahogany with an average, fizzy off-white head, somewhat lasting with spare lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (caramel, nutty, toffee), average hop (perfume), average yeast (dough) with notes of pear, alcohol, candy, and apples. Full bodied, sticky texture, average carbonation, and a bitter finish. Long duration, moderate sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.

Smuttynose Really Old Brown Dog is a very clear, dense, brown ale with a generous, thick, dense, foamy yellow head that has incredible retention. It smells kind of like a home brew. There are notes of green hops, peppercorns and resiny malt that is just a touch sweet. It is full bodied, thick and syrupy. It has a wooden, resiny malt flavor that’s a little sweet and a little bitter. There is almost an umami note. Oak and leather are detected. It’s pretty drinkable. This is a solid Old Ale.

chose this brew for my 300th rating due to my love of Smuttynose. Pours a dark brown with a reddish tint, quite nice white frothy head. Aroma is very boozy, with lots of dark fruit, molasses, candied sugars, and other sweet notes. Flavor is excellent- extremely quick hit of dark dark malt and cream- hints of a dark liquor, like some sort of whiskey. Love the alcohol presence- this is one of my favorite traits in a beer. Great palate, creamy and rich- awesome offering from Smutty.

Dark reddish brown pour with nice white head. Aroma is dark fruit, caramel malt, some alcohol and some toffee. Flavor is very dark and malty with an Irish whiskey like quality near the end. Booze is prevalent, but not overpowering. Palate is smooth and rich- nothing new from Smuttynose.

pours a nice chestnut color, with a great three-finger head. It has a heavy chocolate undertones and quite a nutty flavor. It has a great palate, not too sticky. Great beer overall.