Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

The Partner Ships Series: Union Craft Brewing

Maryland
United States
The Partner Ships Series: Union Craft Brewing
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
80
Aroma:
18 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Appearance:
5 / 6
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Description 

We paired up with one of our favorite local breweries, Union Craft Brewing, for our first Partner Ships collaboration of 2017. Hints of nuts, cocoa, molasses and dried fruits float over a chewy, luscious body of English malt goodness. Inspired by the rich, warming brews of a bygone era, the addition of local Domino Brown Sugar and neighborly camaraderie helped us produce a true comfort ale that should kindle its own Baltimore nostalgia.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.5%
IBUs: 
25
Hops: 
UK Fuggle, UK Goldings
Malts: 
2-row, Crystal Marris, Otter, Brown Malts
Judges Review 
Michael Bury's picture
Judges Rating:
80
Aroma:
18 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This Partner Ships Series beer, Olde Ale, which is a collaboration between Heavy Seas and Union Craft Brewing is being evaluated as an old ale (2015 BJCP Category 17B) despite the addition of brown sugar. In this beer, patience is truly a required skill.

This murky, deep brown beer with ruby highlights pours without a head at all. Immediately thereafter, the nose is quite restrained for an old ale. It requires patience to allow this beer to warm to roughly 50 degrees, but if you do, you'll be rewarded with thick, rich caramel, concord grape and hints of molasses in the aroma. Restrained toast and dark bread crusts with supportive chocolate round out the aroma. Not surprising for this style, hops are nowhere to be found.

The flavor opens with similar notes to those found in the aroma: caramel, molasses, toast, grape and hazelnuts. Unlike many old ales, this beer finishes semi-dry with a lingering dustiness. Once again, hops are largely absent except for a mild, supportive bitterness but the balance is squarely towards the malt. Subtle alcohol provides a bit of intrigue as it melds with the other malt-based flavors. 

Overall, Olde Ale is a solid offering from Heavy Seas & Union Craft Brewing. It's a bit drier and less complex that the best examples, which is also what sets the beer apart. Then there's the quaffability aspect; it goes down more like an imperial brown ale that an old ale. Bottoms up!

Brewery Introduction

Advertisement