Young's Old Nick

[steveh]

On a quest to warm up a bit on a cold midwestern evening, I stopped at the paint store on my way home from work last night. Completely intending to grab a bottle of Winter Warmer, Old Nick caught my eye instead...

7.2 ABV Barleywine style ale from a 16.9 oz. bottle.

Poured a deep coppery red color, sort of hazy - but not cloudy, with a thick tan head that settled into a thin, craggy cap.

A toasted caramel malt blended with tart apple/pear nose dominated the ale's aroma, accented with hop and alcohol undertones. Some sulfury notes became evident as the beer warmed, but nothing to offend the palate.

Initial tasting impressions offer up a dryness from alcohol with rich caramel flavor and mellow, tart apple undertones. Roasted, smokey malt finish with a nice hop tang in the aftertaste. Possibly Kent Goldings?

The body of the ale is medium, tending a little toward heavy, but very smooth - slightly syrupy.

A fine beer that can lull you into wanting a second bottle, but a third could be a killer at 7.2%!

S.

[MeridianFC]

I was just over at the Young's Brewery a few weeks back and was hoping they'd have this on draft, but alas they didn't (I don't think it's common on draft at all to be honest). This is a great beer though and your post has convinced me that I need to go out and nab a bottle poste haste!

[steveh]

It would be interesting to read a comparative review of the Old Nick available in England. I envy you being able to visit the brewery!

S.

[skahtboi]

Its been a few years since I have had an Old Nick. You just flung a "hankering" on me, steveh! Now I will have to make a trip to the paint store myself!

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by steveh
It would be interesting to read a comparative review of the Old Nick available in England. I envy you being able to visit the brewery!

S.

Not to drag this too far off topic, but I was really hoping they would have this draft when I was over. I did sample the Bitter, Special Bitter, and Winter Warmer at the brewery tap. All were excellent (I mean what would you expect). I had the Christmas Pudding out of a bottle there and the Double Chocolate on keg. I'm a big fan of the Speical, but that's probably because I'm a huge fan of really well done session beer. Oh, I'll drink my weight in Oerbier, Moonraker, Tupper's Hop Pocket, etc., but a well crafted tasty bitter, helles, etc. mmmmmmmmmmmm.

If you get the chance you should definitely take the tour. It's a great old brewery. There's a chance they might be upping stakes to a new facility, which from a historical perpsective would be a shame, but it would still be within the borough of Wandsworth. They have one big completely open fermenter still in operation and there's lots of nooks and crannies to the place. Oh, and they have guard geese.

[steveh]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Not to drag this too far off topic, but I was really hoping they would have this draft when I was over. I did sample the Bitter, Special Bitter, and Winter Warmer at the brewery tap. All were excellent (I mean what would you expect). I had the Christmas Pudding out of a bottle there and the Double Chocolate on keg. I'm a big fan of the Speical, but that's probably because I'm a huge fan of really well done session beer.

The Young's site says that they age the Old Nick over three months. If it were cask aged I'd bet it would be wonderful! The Christmas Pudding sounds like a terrific beer - and I'm glad to see that the DBL Choc. is available on tap SOMEwhere over there, that brew is outstanding.

AFA session beers, Young's makes an "Extra Light" at 1.0% ABV? Wow, and I didn't know they were brewing 2 German style beers - available on tap only, alas


If you get the chance you should definitely take the tour. It's a great old brewery. There's a chance they might be upping stakes to a new facility, which from a historical perpsective would be a shame, but it would still be within the borough of Wandsworth. They have one big completely open fermenter still in operation and there's lots of nooks and crannies to the place. Oh, and they have guard geese.

My beer club made about 4 trips to England in as many consecutive years. They visited Young's the year after the trip I was able to make, but at least I was able to visit Fuller's.

Does Young's use the open fermenter for all of their ales?

It would be a shame if Young's left the Wandsworth location - maybe they can leave Ramrod as caretaker? ;)

S.

[MeridianFC]

The ram on site (there's been one for over 500 years) is currently one Mr. D'Arcy. He was not very active while I was there.

All of the ales are in "open" fermenters. They have the one large square one (not a slate like up in Yorkshire) that is copper and completely open and then the bulk of the other fermenters are also square but have a cover with a door the opens into them. I don't know how one would qualify this. Quasi open? It seemed like they kept the little hatch open while the beer was fementing so they can skim yeast off at various points. I poked my head into on of 'em and I tell you there's nothing like leaning over 86,000 pints! There were some of the giant propane tank looking fermenters which I assume are for lagers. They also make some contract brewed lagers on site. They had the huge steel tanks that are several stories tall out in the back. I chose not to pay attention to them. ;)

My understanding is part of the problem with their current location is much of the site is listed with the historical protection agency over there which creates problems for expansion. As I mentioned they're not going to leave the borough and I understand they need the large site for business reasons, but it's still a shame. As it stands now they take up the entire block they're on.

[mdblu1]

I first tried Old Nick about 5 years ago while visiting relatives in Ohio. My wife and I loved it! Brought a few bottles home, but had not seen it since. Last week I ran into a rep from miller and asked if they carried anything micro, and during the conversation he told me of a paint store by me that carried a lot of what I was looking for.( I had been in this store last year, and it was pretty much MBC). Anyway, much to my surprise!!!!!!!!!, this store had a lot of REAL beer and in talking to the owner, will order whatever I want!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! Getting back to the topic, I found one bottle of Old Nick on the shelf, bought it, enjoyed it with a friend and my wife, and I am awaiting the delivery next week of this and a few others I want to try. YES, life IS good!!! (OK I'm done):D

[stronk]

I think I'm going to apply to the Ram brewery for a job for a few months next year. Do you think they're recruiting?

[Beaver]

The Old Nick pours a slightly hazy deep copper red. It has a decent light brown head that goes to a thin film and retains well.

Its aroma is caramel malts and some slightly metallic figs and pears and a little alcohol. Some spiciness comes out as it warms.

The flavor is earthy malts, some figs, some molasses, some toffee, with a dry slightly hopped finish. It has a smooth mouthfeel with a slight stickiness and is medium bodied. There is a slight alcohol warming, but it is pretty well hidden. The alcohol does become more pronounced as it warms.

Overall, a nice barley wine. It is definitely a different breed than the American ones I've had so far - much sweeter and fruitier.

Interesting note: the bottle is 500ml, but the front label says 12 oz! I just noticed the back label says 1pt 0.9 oz. I wonder why the front label is wrong.

[fretlessman71]

I have very fond memories of the summer of '90 drinking a fair amount of Old Nick and Old Peculier while listening over and over to Eric Johnson's Ah Via Musicom. Great beer, fantastic album, great times! :D

Old Nick has changed a little bit over the years, but that flavor still takes me right back. Funny... I'm living about 1/8 mile from the apt. I was in back then, 14 years ago. Doomed to repeat history, perhaps?

Great.... NOW I'm craving Old Nick and Old Peculier! And I can't do any more drinking until Monday afternoon... *sigh*

[chazwicke]

You guys are brave to be drinking Barleywine in the heat of summer. I like them on a cold winter evening. Theakston used to be a very good beer. I have not had the newest version.

[fretlessman71]

Well, those were the good ol' days... and as for THESE good ol' days, it's FIFTY FREAKIN' DEGREES here! Summer, my pinkytoe! :p

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Great.... NOW I'm craving Old Nick and Old Peculier! And I can't do any more drinking until Monday afternoon... *sigh*

Why not?

[fretlessman71]

Well, I was up at 6:15 this morning to go to church, I'm home for just an hour or so, and then I drive to C Spgs. to play a wedding, and I won't be back home until about 3 in the morning. Boy, do I know how to party. :rolleyes:

[Minor_Deity]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Well, I was up at 6:15 this morning to go to church, I'm home for just an hour or so, and then I drive to C Spgs. to play a wedding, and I won't be back home until about 3 in the morning. Boy, do I know how to party.


This is probably not the best place to ask, but I see a couple Colorado posters in here. I am in the San Antonio - Austin area, but I get up to Colorado Springs about once a year to visit family. Austin has some good stores, but I've not seen many of the brews touted here in the forum that I have wanted to try. Does anybody know any good paint stores in the Springs? Aside from Cheers which I did discover a couple trips back. And where, to bring this right back to topic, I picked up the Old Nick I have in my collection waiting to be sampled. ;)

Circular.

[steveh]

Minor, you may want to post your query here: Beer in the Mountains and Plains (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=21) for better results.

S.

[Acataleptic]

If you really want to sample Old Nick from the tap make a journey this February to the Toronado Barley Wine Festival. They've served a keg of the delicious brew since the beginning (or at least the last 9 years or so) and from a cask for the last 4 or 5 years! That's right CASK Old Nick straight from a firkin. Fantastic most years and one of the highlight brews. With the extended travel time and shipping conditions it's been off a couple times too, but never enough to not enjoy the rich complex, spicy, malty, goodness! Mmmmmm, It'll be here soon!

Listening to: MC5 1971 High Time

[chazwicke]

YUMM!!!!

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Minor_Deity
This is probably not the best place to ask, but I see a couple Colorado posters in here. I am in the San Antonio - Austin area, but I get up to Colorado Springs about once a year to visit family. Austin has some good stores, but I've not seen many of the brews touted here in the forum that I have wanted to try. Does anybody know any good paint stores in the Springs? Aside from Cheers which I did discover a couple trips back. And where, to bring this right back to topic, I picked up the Old Nick I have in my collection waiting to be sampled. ;)

Circular. There's a brewery called Bristol Brewing Company (http://www.bristolbrewing.com/about/) that is just fantastic. Next time you're there you ought to check them out. Other than that, I'm not sure which ones are good and which ones are bad (I'm over 2 hours away), but this list (http://www.smartpages.com/directory/search.jhtml?PostSt=CO&Tag=services&HeadingCodeVerified=8001839&DirectoryVerified=ESOCO+COST+NATL_SWBYPS+ESOCO&dn=El+Paso&CityVerified=Colorado+Springs&StateVerified=CO&DirectoryStateVerified=CO&AreaCodeVerified=&ZipVerified=&HeadingDesc=Liquor+Stores&LocType=11&QueryString=liquor&AddressChoice=&Radius=2&QueryType=1&DirAvail=false&From=&ClearLevel=HeadingValidation&TotalRows=0&listingid=&CityPostalFlag=DD) might help you narrow your search a little bit.

[studentofbeer]

i cant make it for ommegang night on wednesday, but ive already cleared my calendar for february. nothing will keep me away from what sounds like an amazing barleywine fest!

[Acataleptic]

That's a bummer. Well there is one other event before the Barleywine festival that you might want to make, the Oct 6th Oktobertfest gathering which launches German Beer Month at Toronado. Litres of Spaten, links of pork sausages, and an Oompah band!

Listening to: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 1979 Damn The Torpedoes

[Minor_Deity]

Originally posted by steveh
Minor, you may want to post your query here: Beer in the Mountains and Plains (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=21) for better results.

S.

DOH! See what happens when some one leaves the backdoor open in the homebrew forums.

@fretlessman71 - Bristol? Aye aye, will do. Thank you sir.

Sorry for the delay, my posting is erotic at best.:D