Old Ale is a term commonly applied to dark, malty beers in England, generally above 5% ABV.

Historically, old ales served as a complement to mild ales, and in pubs of the era typically the landlord would serve the customer a blend of the sharper stock ale with the fruitier, sweeter mild ale to the customer's taste.

An old ale is meant to be a session beer, unlike a strong old ale, which would be one you'd finish your evening off with.

Old Ales, also referred to in the past as "Stock" Ales, are low attenuated beers with high levels of dextrins, creating a full malt body with plenty of character. Old Ales of a hundred plus years ago were often transfered into vats to mature, hence the name.

Rich dark amber in color to a very dark brown. Tamed aromatics. Although bittering levels can greatly vary, expect common fruity, vinous, intense malts and sharp alcohol characteristics. The often racy but mellow attitude of the beer may also include acidic notes, raisins and black currants. Vintage varieties may have a low level of oxidation.

It's interesting that historically, some old ales were soured to achieve an acidic character. Hmm...maybe that's an experiment we'll have to try in the future.

Barley's Tuck's Fury Old Ale

Style Guidelines: Old Ale, with low attentuation. Malty, with subtle hop background. A drinkable session ale, though it is a warming beer of the type that would be perfect by a warming fire on a cold winter's night.

This brew was a collaboration between Ryan Sprayberry and brewing legend Scott Francis. It's also the last beer that Scott brewed here.

Rotation Schedule: Currently, planned as a "one-off."

Food Pairings: Nothing doesn't go with our 'House smoked wings, and this one works well there. Yorkshire pudding with sliced beef brisket; smoked fish; Barley's bread pudding

Body: on the fuller side of medium

Color: deep copper

Grain: British pale; German Carabohemian; British wheat; Belgian Special B; British chocolate

Bittering Hops: British Fuggle and American Willametter

Finishing Hops: American Kent Golding

Original Gravity: 1.073

IBUs (estimate): 19

Alcohol By Volume: 7.3%

First Tapped: February 16, 2011

Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub Ale House No. 2xx 1130 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43215