Buffalo Rising Online

Oct 7th 2007, 9:09am By Adam Fix

Old, room temperature beer. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? It actually is- if you’re drinking the right kind. This week, we’ll talk about a few of said “right kind;” Gale’s Prize Old Ale, Olde Suffolk English Ale, and Old Speckled Hen English Fine Ale. All British; all to be enjoyed around 50 degrees; and all fine choices for an autumn evening.

Gale’s Prize Old Ale touts itself as a champion beer of Britain and a first prize bottle conditioned beer. Awards can be deceiving in the beer world, but this ale lives up to its reputation quite nicely. Served in a corked, 9.3 ounce bottle, this 9% ABV ale is dark with a heavy mouthfeel. The aging is apparent, as the beer exhibits a wine-y tinge which sets it apart from most ales. There is little to no hop presence and carbonation, this ale relies on its rich and flavorful malts, from which hints of prune and oak can be detected.

Old Speckled Hen is a more traditional ale than Gale’s, but also not a bad choice. Since it is not bottle conditioned, as is Gale’s, it doesn’t have the same rich flavor (or punch- it clocks in at 5.2% ABV). Old Speckled Hen makes up for that, though, in its balance. When you take a sip of the ol’ bird, you immediately notice the sharp hoppy kick that serves to complement the sweet caramel malts which follow thereafter. Because of the dry finish, I’d say this ale would pair nicely with a fine cheese, or even a hearty meal.

Olde Suffolk English ale calls itself “dark and intense,” which really just makes me think of Jeff Goldblum (Am I right? Come on now!). If Mr. Goldblum had the aroma of spicy fruitcake, well, the comparisons would be never ending. Olde Suffolk is a blend of two ales, one of which is aged in oak barrels for two years. Like Gale’s, you can taste the oak, along with caramel and toffee. Like Old Speckled Hen, it would be a natural partner to an aged cheese.

All three of these ales may be found at your local Consumer’s Beverage Center.


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I noticed a few of you lamenting the lack of chairs at the Central Terminal’s Oktoberfest. I, too, was a victim of the short supply, and hopefully next year many more will be available. Immediately upon entering I was surprised at the small number of tables and chairs set up in the concourse. My companion and I persevered, however, enjoying our K Sisters Pierogi on a wooden ledge of some sort near the vendors’ tables.

Really, the lack of chairs should have just encouraged everyone to dance- I was disheartened that my contest (which I suggested in my Oktoberfest announcement post) was not followed up on, and I was not asked to polka. Not even once!

The highlights of the ‘fest were twofold for me: 1) Flying Bison’s Baron von Bisonfest, a classic Marzenbier done exceptionally well, and 2) the Frankfurters’ (musical entertainment) skill on the cowbell. I don’t possess the necessary lexicon to adequately describe a top-tier cowbell player, so lets just say “dude can ring them bells!”

Check back in the coming weeks for some spooktacular Halloween-themed beer reviews (that’s right- spooktacular)!


Yum editor's Note: One should never squander the opportunity to polka with Adam.