Seems like a lot of people clicked through to my blog from the last post, so I guess I'll keep posting here until someone gets annoyed -- Blog post with image is here - http://is.gd/fSbU
Two Grumpy Old English Dudes (Great Divide Hibernation & Founders Curmudgeon)
Historical British beer styles are among the greatest benefactors of the American Craft Beer scene, as they were the first and the most widely accepted of the various International cultures to be ressurected, redefined, and essentially kept alive by the tenacity (read: insanity) of American Brewers. While Belgian beers are more popular right now in terms of the vanguard of American Brewing, we still have the Brits to thank for our beloved session beers, our Milds, Bitters, Pale Ales, and for our first contributions to the “Ex****e Beer†movement like Double IPAs and Imperial Stouts. The foundation of American beer as it pertains to England, coupled with the depth and breadth of British beer styles that are documented has lead to a long, slow synthesis process where some British beers become thoroughly American. Other styles are so unique in their initial conception and so narrow in their historical context that while American versions may outnumber those produced in England by scores, they still struggle to remain thoroughly English. Old Ale, also known as Stock Ale, is one of these styles.
I’ve only sampled a handful of Old Ales, but two recent examples by Colorado’s Great Divide and Michigan’s Founders have been going down really smoothly during these extreme days of cold winter in NYC. Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale is a hoppier, more bold and American twist on the Old Ale, pairing a deep malty sweetness with a crisp and bitter bite of hops, with aromas of dark fruit and brown sugar swirling through the mix. Something like a maltier, more amber Barleywine that pours a deep reddish brown is a good description, but Hibernation finishes in a pleasingly smooth, highly drinkable way. A good step inbetween a Porter and a Barleywine, with a very intense depth of flavor that is very satisfying. Founders Curmudgeon is an even more English version of the style, with a very sweet aroma, a chewey, full bodied texture, and less of a bold American hop finish. More orange than red, and pouring with a creamy, tan head, Curmudgeon is a sipping beer that begs you to keep sipping with its alluring sweetness. The finish is hardly cloying, balanced as it is with a decent amount of hop bitterness. Curmudgeon seems like an old dude who’s been around, and who can handle being around for a lot longer — there are hints of candied citrus that compliment the heavy caramel quite well, like an old fruitcake he once gave you, and the Hibernation Ale is a bit more modern, but still thoroughly set in his ways. Two excellent beers which are preserving the heritage of one of the greatest beer countries on earth — almost enough to make a hibernating curmudgeon smile.
