71 year old beer.

[chazwicke]

Last night I attended a small private tasting where I finally was able to bring out two of the four bottles of my most precious cellared beers The Ballantine Burton Ales. I have had my four bottles for several years and have always kept them in the proper cellar conditions but I had no idea how they were handled before my acquisition of them and have always been worried about that especially since they were 12 oz green bottles. Anyway my bottles were all gifts to a Mary A. Brown. They were brewed on May 12, 1934 and aged in oak until December 1951 when they were bottled and given as gifts to Mary Brown. I have had them since around 1999. Well there was no need for my worry the beers had held up remarkably well and I was stunned at how good this beer still was. One bottle was very slightly oxidized but the other was not. They were beautiful beers. Absolutely stunning. They had a rich smoky, sherry like aroma. The oak was present too. One bottle was darker in color than the other although both were dark ruby red. The flavor was immense and for a beer that was supposedly brewed with lots of hops and high alcohol content, (purportedly about 60 IBUs and at an alcohol range around 10 ABV) I found both flavors to be well hidden with no real hop flavor at all. It was very lightly carbonated. The taste was of sherry or perhaps a nice scotch with an oaky and prunish or fruit aspect that was very pleasant. A lovely beer. I will certainly save the other two bottles for a special occasion. At the end of this thread I will post some further information on this rare beer but first I’ll list the other brews that we sampled.
The participants in the tasting were myself and my brother John, Bob and Ellie Tupper, Beer writer Greg Kitsock, Dave and Diane Alexander owners of RFD and the Brickskeller (The tasting was held at RFD) and Leon Morse and his lovely wife.
In addition to the Ballantine Burton Ales I brought 1995 Niagara Falls Eisbock that had cellared famously and had really smoothed since the last one I had in 95. A 2001 Alaskan Smoked Porter that had also benifitted from it’s aging, and 1995 Brakspears Xmas Ale – one of 50 bottles that had been shipped to friends of the brewery in the USA. This one had suffered a little from its decade in my cellar. It was slightly sour but still tasty.

Here is the order in which we drank the 18 beers sampled:

Jolly Pumpkin Brewing – Oro De Calabaza Artesian Ale Biere de Gaurde
Sly Fox Saison Vos - - from the first bottling that Sly Fox has ever done
Ballantine Burton Ale
Scaldis Prestige 13% ABV.
Alesmith Grand Cru
Anheuser Busch Brewmaster Private Reserve 2005 – Easily the most forgettable beer of the evening.
New Belgium 2 Degrees Below Zero. - A fine beer that the brewery only bottled about 30 or so bottles as a promotion for their East Coast expansion. It was a delightful hoppy, herbal tasting beer that was a little on the thin side which I thought complemented this beer. Not a bitter hoppiness but the flowery herbal hop flavor. NB has a winner here.
Brakspears Xmas 1995
Sly Fox - Chinook IPA from growler. This is one of their famous single hop IPAs and was delicious.
Niagara Falls Eisbock 1995
Pizza Port 15th Anniversary Hand Bottled # 169, - This one is made with grape juice and aged in oak barrels. A winey yet balanced by sweetness beer. Nice
Alaskan Smoked Porter 2001
Baltic Raven From A growler made by MacKenzie Brewhouse in PA I liked this one too
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. Very sweet and smooth
Destiny Brewpub Winter spiced beer. From growler
Speedway Stout 2002 another lovely beer made with Ryan Brothers coffee beans. A very smooth and delectable beer. Nothing rough or raspy about this one
New Glarus Raspberry Tart. A raspberry smoothie. A nice way to finish the tasting.

A wonderful evening that has made me want to reach back into my cellar for more.

[chazwicke]

Here is a little bit about the history of Ballantine Burton Ales:


One such special beverage is now part of American brewing history and has become perhaps the most sought-after beer ever brewed in the U.S. I refer to the legendary Ballantine Burton Ale, brewed only twice. Once on May 12, 1934, not long after the repeal of Prohibition, and on May 12, 1946. The Ballantine Brewery, founded in 1840 in Newark, New Jersey, was one of the country’s largest, but lost market share in the second half of the 20th century to lager brewers such as Anheuser Busch, and is now defunct. The name has been kicked around ever since, and beer bearing the Ballantine name still exists. Ballantine Burton Ale was no ordinary brew, and was never marketed or sold, rather it was aged for many years in oak barrels and bottled in November to be given as gifts to friends (employees?) and dignitaries. The label decorated with holly leaves and berries would clearly state “Special Brew– Not for Sale” and would include the name of the individual for whom it was bottled, and the dates of brewing and bottling (often separated by more than 10 years). The beer was an homage to the great India Pale Ales of Burton on Trent, England, and like them, sported high alcohol and lots of hop character. This was a very rare beer even in its time! Flash forward to the mid-1990’s, my brother Geoff who has an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, happened across eight full bottles in a small antique shop and snapped them all up for a couple bucks apiece. Having just read an article about the beer that stated there were only a handful of known examples in the world, he knew exactly what he was buying. The central tragedy of that article was that one of the last known bottles was up for auction and expected to fetch about $1200.00 when it was stolen. Geoff was quite pleased with his purchase as you might expect. Modern accounts of people tasting this beer are few and far between. Michael Jackson, the British beer writer tried it in the late 1970’s with Fritz Maytag, owner of Anchor Brewing Co., and found it to be in good condition, aromatic, and hoppy, not unlike a barley wine. In 2001, four examples were tasted by William Loob of “All About Beer Magazine” (and others). He noted that the caps were lined with cork and the examples varied (some better than others), showing plenty of hop bitterness, some oxidation, woody tannins, rich malt and fruitiness (typical of ales) ranging from peach and apricot to gooseberry, tropical fruits and even olives. So these eight bottles of history have slumbered quietly in the beer cellar my brother and I keep together, ever since he found them. Every once in a while when I go down to retrieve a vintage Thomas Hardy’s Ale or some other rare age worthy brew I end up asking Geoff “When are we going to taste that Burton ale?” He usually says “soon,” even playing around with a date, “maybe we’ll try one on your birthday or New Year’s Day” but we never do. So when I hopefully asked him recently if I could put one on display at Garde Manger, he not only said, “OK,” but presented one to me as a Chritmas gift. If you stop in between now and Christmas, ask to see one of the rarest beers in the world: Ballantine Burton Ale, “Brewed Especially for James L. Riordon on May 12, 1946, Bottled November 1964.” The bottle also says “Seasons Greetings from all of us at Ballantine” and I would like to extend the same to you from all of us at LaBelle. Will I drink it soon? I know it would be best, perhaps on Christmas or maybe my birthday…

[chazwicke]

The Bottom Line The holy grail of American beers. Check Ebay and other on line auctions for rare vintages.

If ever there was a beer in American brewing history that could be called a holy grail, Ballantine Burton Ale most certainly is it. This beer over the decades has gained an almost mythical status, and is a true icon in American brewing history. For those who know about this beer, the honor of drinking a sample of the legendary Ballantine Burton Ale is something they are willing to pay a heavy price for, and will give them serious bragging rights among beer geeks. Some bottles manage to go under the radar, and can be purchased for as little as $10 or $15 dollars. But more often than not, a bidding war will ensue, and the prices beer geeks are willing to pay for a bottle of Burton Ale, can go sky high. I once saw a 7 oz bottle of this beer go for over $100 on Ebay, and there are beer geeks out there, that have been willing to pay up to $500 or more, just to get a sample of this legendary brew. So, you must be asking by now, what on earth makes Ballantine Burton Ale so special? A lot really, and in lies a tale...


Ballantine Burton Ale was brewed by P. Ballantine & Sons of Newark, NJ. Ballantine of course, is a familiar name to many America beer drinkers, the brand name Ballantine still exists to this day, but only as a label. The brewery in Newark has long since closed, when it was purchased by Fallstaff in the mid 1960's, and the Narragansett Brewing Company of Cranston, RI took over brewing Ballantine beers in 1967. One beer however, was never brewed or bottled again after the brewery closed, and that beer was Burton Ale. Ballantine brewed some ales of distinction over its rich history, including another legendary American beer, Ballantine India Pale Ale, which up into the Mid 80's was still a flavorful beer, and one American beer lovers held in high regard. But the most special beer Ballantine ever brewed was Burton Ale, and it without question, has become the holy grail of American beers.

See, Burton Ale, was NOT FOR SALE. The brewery only released this beer as special Christmas gifts to employees, associates, and friends of the brewery. Each bottle was labeled as a Special Brew: Not For Sale Brewed especially for: with that person's name appearing on the label festooned with Christmas holly and wreaths and the words: Seasons Greetings from all of us at Ballantine. Ballantine Burton Ale was brewed in limited batches from the 1920's-1950's once a year on May 12th, and was then aged in huge oak tanks at the brewery. Vintages of Burton Ale could spend anywhere from 7 to 20 years in oak, before being bottled, and then given away by the brewery as gifts. Ballantine Burton Ale was brewed to be a high gravity, high alcohol beer, coming in at about 10-11% abv. Ballantine, who produced its own hop oils, used lavish amounts in this beer as well, to preserve it, and the high hopping, put Burton Ale at 60+ IBU(bitterness units). It was sedimented with yeast, making it a bottle conditioned beer, so further fermentation, and development could take place in the bottle.

And this is what makes Ballantine Burton Ale so special to beer geeks. Ballantine Burton Ale by style could be called a highly hopped barleywine, possibly the first example of barleywine ever brewed in America. Michael Jackson, The Beer Hunter actually sampled a bottle of Burton Ale in the 1970's that he described as:

"A strong, amber-red, well hopped Christmas brew aged for years in coated wooden tanks that were topped up like a sherry solera." His described the vintage he tried 25 years after it was brewed as a "very aromatic hoppy barleywine."


Burton Ale was brewed with the intent to be cellared and aged like a fine wine. It is very rare, and again, this beer was only brewed in very limited batches, it was not for commercial sale, and the last time a vintage of this beer was bottled at the brewery in Newark, NJ, was 36 years ago. The number of vintages that are still in existence is unknown, but most speculate only a few hundred examples of Burton Ale have survived to this day. I was fortunate enough to recently win an on line auction, and was able to acquire three bottles of Ballantine Burton Ale. All three vintages were brewed especially for Hans Hinrichs on May 12, 1946 and bottled in November of 1964(one bottle) and 1965(two bottles). So my vintages of Burton Ale were brewed 56 years ago, and bottled 38 and 37 years ago. The world now has one less example of Ballantine Burton Ale, as I drank one of my vintages last night.

Ballantine Burton Ale pours to a beautiful, bright, ruby red color with no head and no carbonation. I was amazed how bright this beer poured. When mailed to me they were quite hazy, but I cold stored them, the yeast settled to the bottom of the bottle and poured bright. I was also very careful when I poured to make sure the yeast sediment stayed in the bottle. The nose on this beer shocked me. I was expecting lots of oxidation, but I did not get that. Very pronounced aromas of oak, sherry, and alcohol flooded the nose. This beer matured in oak for 20 years, and is one of the reason this beer has held up so well. The palate was full on the tongue, with flavors of oak, and a surprising amount of estery fruit flavors of plum and apple, paired with a nice back drop of caramel maltiness. Ballantine Burton Ale finished with more oaky and fruity flavors up front, and ended with a peppery, soothing, warming burn that lit a fire in the belly.

I'm stunned. I was not expecting this beer to be in such good condition after all these years. I tasted an example of Burton Ale back in 1999, brewed in 1934 and bottled in 1941, and it was undrinkable. It amazed me, and my wife as well, who out of curiosity, had to take a taste, what high condition this 56 year old beer was in. It tasted as Jackson stated, an aromatic vintage barleywine. I believe the 20 years in oak really helped, as oak aromas and flavors were ever present in this beer. The bottles I purchased, were kept in very good condition. The labels were not even worn, so I suspect, who ever had these bottles before me, stored them in a cellar, in a cool, dry place. Hans Hinrichs, were ever you are, I toast you. Thank you for not drinking some of your vintages of Burton Ale, and giving this beer lover, 37 years later, a chance to taste this unique beer. Ballantine Burton Ale is truly the holy grail of American beers, and it was an honor to drink a piece of American brewing history. And you can too. Check Ebay, and other on line auctions, and you might just be able to find a bottle of this legendary beer.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Last night I attended a small private tasting where I finally was able to bring out two of the four bottles of my most precious cellared beers The Ballantine Burton Ales. [snip] A wonderful evening that has made me want to reach back into my cellar for more.

Chaz, ole buddy, ole pal. How 'zactly does one go about getting invited to one of *those* shindigs???:cool:

[chazwicke]

I've been thinking of holding one myself. I have plenty of beers that I'd bring. One of these days, we'll do a DC area sampling with locals from this board and DC-Beer. And who knows, I've still got two more bottles of the Burton Ale.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I've been thinking of holding one myself. I have plenty of beers that I'd bring. One of these days, we'll do a DC area sampling with locals from this board and DC-Beer. And who knows, I've still got two more bottles of the Burton Ale.

Sounds good. I'd be happy to pitch in with sweat equity as I stopped collecting years ago so I have nothing of significance to contribute anymore, alas. Although I'd be happy to bring watever curio there was available at that time. I suppose potential venues would be OD or more likely RFD. Or maybe one of the DC brewpubs.

[chazwicke]

Katefan had looked into securing a room at the National Press Club but they wanted to charge us a corkage fee.:eek: I'm tempted to hold it at my office in Annandale or someones home.

[Chris St Mary]

WOW! Just reading your review made my mouth water and my palete WANT one of these. I'll have to try Ebay but price can put me right out of it, possibly. Wish me luck. By the way, I found an opener for St. Mary's on Ebay. we'll see what happens.

[chazwicke]

As promised, I'll look for the St. Mary's labels that I have. I think I might have a photo of the old building as well. It was very near Straubs if I recall.

I got my Burton Ales from the bottom shelf of a booth in an old antique market in SW Virginia. I paid $20.00 for the 4. $5.00 each. They still have the price stickers on them. I knew exactly what they were when I found them back behind some other beer stuff I was looking at. I nearly wet my pants. Apparently they did not know what they had.:D

The only other time I have had a better find was at a yard sale right in my own neighborhood. My first stop that morning I found a beer tray that usually sells for around $5,000.00. I asked the woman how much - she said "Those old bottles go with it" (about 6 pre pro embossed bottles that usually sell for about $25.00-$30.00 each.) She said her dad used to have the tray hanging on the wall in his house. I asked her how much for the lot. She said $4.00!!!!! I did not even try to haggle.

Being a dedicated Breweriana collector has it's advantages.

[Chris St Mary]

I went to the Straub Brewery a few years back and I think they said it was the same building. All kinds of breweriana from St. Mary's but none for sale. As it is, if they find out my last name, I'm sure the price would suddenly go up. Have to try and remain incognito when I pursue stuff from that brewery.

[HarkJohnny]

thanks for sharing your experiences, it's *almost* as if you shared the beers themselves with us. :D

[Insidious Rex]

Great stuff. Would have loved to taste that beer even though oak aged barleywines arent necessarily my ultimate beer type. But who could possibly pass that opportunity up. Now, is there like a Beckets guide for Breweriana? I wouldnt know a $5,000 beer tray from a $5 one...

Originally posted by chazwicke
Anheuser Busch Brewmaster Private Reserve 2005 – Easily the most forgettable beer of the evening.

Coincidently i JUST a few hours ago attempted to steal a jeroboam of this in a secret santa game at work. But I had it stolen away by someone else before I could get it. So wasnt much to sniff at then? It was the only beer being offered so I figured why not. But I wouldnt actually go out and buy it.

[threecb]

Sounds like quite the evening. Thanks for the notes, chaz.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
Great stuff. Would have loved to taste that beer even though oak aged barleywines arent necessarily my ultimate beer type. But who could possibly pass that opportunity up. Quote

You might get your chance sometime. I will definitely share when I open the other bottles.




Quote
Coincidently i JUST a few hours ago attempted to steal a jeroboam of this in a secret santa game at work. But I had it stolen away by someone else before I could get it. So wasnt much to sniff at then? It was the only beer being offered so I figured why not. But I wouldnt actually go out and buy it.

This jeroboam was given to Greg I believe by AB. None of us had expectations of any sort for it and thusly were not impressed or disappointed. If I could remember what Bud tasted like from more than a decade ago I might say this was a slightly beefed up version. I think they could make a great beer. I wonder why they insist on this mediocre beer.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I think [AB-ed.] could make a great beer. I wonder why they insist on this mediocre beer. I wonder why they insist on this mediocre beer.

S-h-a-r-e-h-o-l-d-e-r-s.

[MeridianFC]

I don't recall getting a phone call Chaz.

;)

[chazwicke]

I and my brother were invited. There was a chance that he was not going to make it. You were first on my list as his replacement.

[SoxyinMO]

WOW! Just reading your review made my mouth water

Reading that and the "legend" made my eyes water. ;)

[chazwicke]

I was fairly stunned at how good the Burton Ale had held up. It was wonderful.

[corysdad]

Chaz thanks for posting those notes, I enjoyed reading every word.

[chazwicke]

Thanks. I enjoyed every drop.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Thanks. I enjoyed every drop.

Couldn't resist, could you?

[chazwicke]

:D

As I have said before, I still have 2 bottles. I'll definately share when I open them.

[Mad Scientist]

Wow......I never relized that these bottles were circulating about in antique shops....we have LOTS in TX, I'll be watching....

[chazwicke]

It was several years ago when I got mine and They obviously did not know what they had. It was a lucky find. But you just never know what you'll turn up while antiquing.

[Mad Scientist]

IS there any variation in the labels? I found one one ebay that closed for 202.50, with an okay picture of the label.

[chazwicke]

The labels on mine were in bad condition but a couple had enough to read who they were given to and the dates. I'll try to photograph one and post it later. The labels were all the same -holly leaves around the border. The difference was the giftees name, brewing and bottling dates. My bottles came from the first batch in 1934. But many different bottlings were done. Mine were bottled in December 1951.

What was the link for the one on Ebay. I looked the other day and did not see it.

[Mad Scientist]

Item #6235159607

link (may or may ot work): http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-BALLANTINE-BURTON-ALE-SPECIAL-BREW-1966-BOTTLE_W0QQitemZ6235159607QQcategoryZ563QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[chazwicke]

Yes that is the same basic label. I wish I had seen this one. I'd have bid higher on it. I see the bidder who won has been buying up vintage beers. I have several old ones myself. But he has gotten some interesting ones recently. I've emailed the seller and asked if they have anymore. Thanks for that link.

[gallowd7]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Katefan had looked into securing a room at the National Press Club but they wanted to charge us a corkage fee.:eek: I'm tempted to hold it at my office in Annandale or someones home.
To hijack this thread:
During last years planning my porch wasn't furnished, well now it's fully functional. If there isn't a suitable, central place, I'd love to have you all out this spring to the Annapolis (just north) area. I'll even brew up a real ale for the hand pump.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Yes that is the same basic label. I wish I had seen this one. I'd have bid higher on it. I see the bidder who won has been buying up vintage beers. I have several old ones myself. But he has gotten some interesting ones recently. I've emailed the seller and asked if they have anymore. Thanks for that link.

I messaged the buyer, he said he was writing a magazine article on vintage beers.

[chazwicke]

Wonder who he is and if we will see the article?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by gallowd7
To hijack this thread:
During last years planning my porch wasn't furnished, well now it's fully functional. If there isn't a suitable, central place, I'd love to have you all out this spring to the Annapolis (just north) area. I'll even brew up a real ale for the hand pump.

How many people can you accomodate?

[gallowd7]

Originally posted by chazwicke
How many people can you accomodate?
Mosquito free (shouldn't be an issue in the spring): 10-12 can sit, that's about the max sitting or standing
Outdoors: 10 in chairs, unlimited standing

[chazwicke]

I wonder how many people we would attract? Free beer, some of it rare?

[MeridianFC]

I certainly wouldn't go.



















unless I was invited.

[Mad Scientist]

Well, if you can get hold of Avery Brewing's Old Jubilation, try it, nice roasty malt, very well done.

At any rate, how about some cellaring tips?

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I wonder how many people we would attract? Free beer, some of it rare? I would drive from Texas, in a yugo without A/C if necessary....and bring gifts of frankencense (sp?) and mirh....err....okay....mesquite beans and smoked brisket....

[Insidious Rex]

Ha ha! And I would cling to the underside of your Yugo all the way from Texas to go myself. Guess I am lucky I dont have to. :D

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I've emailed the seller and asked if they have anymore. Thanks for that link.

I never got a response.:(

[flathead]

I had the mystic of the Ballantine Burton Ale fall right into my lap. Talk about being at the right place at the right time, I believe it must of been fate since I was totally unaware of what it was I had obtained at the time. Being only a novice at best in the world of breweriana. I was given 2 full cases of 1946 Burton + 1 bottle. 1 case bottled in 1960 the other in 1964 and the single in 1961, it was only after doing some research on wine that I came to realize what it was I had obtained. The 61' single my wife a I consumed a few years back. The condition of the beer is excellent and the single we tried had many of the same characteristics you described. My wife who was once a beer drinker stated "That if they made beer like this I would be a beer drinker again". The remaining 48 bottles I have are still in the original case decorated in a Christmas theme and were shipped apparantly just taped shut in the case and mailed out from the NJ plant to the customer, since the address is inscribed on the tops of the cases. A picture of my stash can be viewed at. www.falstaffbrewing.com/ballantine_ale.htm about half way down the page.

[chazwicke]

Really cool! Would you be willing to part with a bottle or two? I still have two left but I'd love to sample other bottlings.

Nice page too. I'm a breweriana collector as well. I specialize in DC and VA breweries with special interests in Christian Heurich and Robert Portner breweries.

Tell your wife that there are some craft brewed beers out there that do have similar taste profiles. She might want to start drinking beer again.

[Mad Scientist]

flathead, you make me green with envy....very green.....

[flathead]

I have not decided yet if it would be wise to break up a complete case. I have been informed by a few that it would be a better thing to leave complete, if my intentions were to sell.

I have not made up my mind regarding consuming or parting. I'm sure the future will bring the answer. I've been told that I possible hold the worlds largest known stash this hasn't been confirmed nor contested.






If you have to ask yourself "What was I thinking" Chances are it's already to late.

[Mad Scientist]

Yeah you probably do have the worlds largest stash of it. I'm sure if you sent Jackson an email, he'd make you an offer you can't refuse.

Do yuo mind telling the story of how you came by the burton ale?

[chazwicke]

I'd be willing to bet you have the largest personal stash too. considering the rarity it could be a goldmine. From a collectable standpoint it would probably be worth more complete but if you were to sell it piece by piece on Ebay or the likes, you might attract a wider audience that included beer lovers as well as breweriana collectors. Let us know if you ever do intend to sell.

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I'd be willing to bet you have the largest personal stash too. considering the rarity it could be a goldmine. From a collectable standpoint it would probably be worth more complete but if you were to sell it piece by piece on Ebay or the likes, you might attract a wider audience that included beer lovers as well as breweriana collectors. Let us know if you ever do intend to sell.

Actually, I think he'd make more money off it parting it out.

I'd love a few more bottles of this. I only have 2 bottles left (much earlier bottlings).

[chazwicke]

I've only got two left as well. May 12, 1934 and aged in oak until December 1951. I had 4 initially. My tasting is the first post in this thread.

[animal]

Originally posted by Chris St Mary
I went to the Straub Brewery a few years back and I think they said it was the same building. All kinds of breweriana from St. Mary's but none for sale. As it is, if they find out my last name, I'm sure the price would suddenly go up. Have to try and remain incognito when I pursue stuff from that brewery. I was born in Saint Marys, and still go back to visit my grandmother once in awhile. So I assume you were at The Eternal Tap there?
________
Mary jane (http://maryjanes.info/)

[animal]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I've only got two left as well. May 12, 1934 and aged in oak until December 1951. I had 4 initially. My tasting is the first post in this thread. 70 year old beer still tasting good? Whoever would've guessed? I'd like to see AB, Miller, or Coors try making a beer like that.
________
Rhode Island Marijuana Dispensaries (http://rhodeisland.dispensaries.org/)

[flathead]

I brought a case of Straubs back with me last year when I was up that way visiting. I know St Mary's. Originally from the Olean area

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by animal
70 year old beer still tasting good? Whoever would've guessed? I'd like to see AB, Miller, or Coors try making a beer like that.

The BMC corporations certainly have the resources, equipment, and skilled personnel well capable of producing such a product. I'd bet the AB research library puts the Siebel Institute's to shame, and that's not meant as a slight to Siebel. It is a business decision that they make to not produce such products, not a lack of the capability to do so.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by animal
I was born in Saint Marys, and still go back to visit my grandmother once in awhile. So I assume you were at The Eternal Tap there?


I supped brew from the Eternal Tap many times. Mostly in the late 70s and early 80s. Washed my glass when I was done too.
;)

[fretlessman71]

So is this beer, old as it is, proof that once upon a time the US made very good beer? I had been taught that WWII changed the face of American brewing forever due to very limited supply of.. well, EVERYTHING. How does the history of this beer fit in with that concept?

[Chris St Mary]

Prohibition did more damage than WWII. Many local breweries went under because they couldn't afford to switch to malt beverages or ice cream or many other products that breweries were forced to switch to to survive. AB made a malt beverage call BEVO. When you go on the tour in St. Lou, you see a fox sitting on a case of it on two corners of one of the buildings.
Strange thing is, the day after Prohibition was repealed, one of the brewerie that survived delivered a case of beer to FDR. Now, if they weren't supposed to be making beer and it should take at least a week for sugars in the wort to be consumed by the yeast........
And yes, Animal, I was at the Eternal Tap. Wonder if that will really continue to be Eternal.

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
So is this beer, old as it is, proof that once upon a time the US made very good beer? I had been taught that WWII changed the face of American brewing forever due to very limited supply of.. well, EVERYTHING. How does the history of this beer fit in with that concept?

Prior to prohibition, American brewing was already moving towards pale lagers and the big three were starting to establish themselves thanks in part to better transportation, better forms of communication, and the desire to find an adjunct that could be added to beer that would make it light and refreshing. While prohibition resulted in the closing of countless breweries, in actuality there weren't any special brews being made back then that are no longer being made today with the exception of some obscure local specialties like Kentucky Common. The past 20 years we have seen an explosion in craft brewing the likes of which have never been seen before in this country.

As for Ballantine Burton, I've read several rumors that Old Foghorn, Bigfoot and several others were based on this recipe.

[Mad Scientist]

My understanding is that Old Forhorn would be the closest.

[steveh]

The history on this brew mirrors so many great "collectors' items," I'm so taken that I must add it to my radar along with A-2 flight jackets, original WW2 M-1 Garands, Batman no. 1, and a 1933 Cord coupe. :)

I remember drinking Ballantine with my late, ex-father-in-law in the mid-80s. I believe it was brewed by Falstaff out of Indiana at the time (Indiana Pale Ale), far from the rare brew in this thread.

S.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by steveh
The history on this brew mirrors so many great "collectors' items," I'm so taken that I must add it to my radar along with A-2 flight jackets, original WW2 M-1 Garands, Batman no. 1, and a 1933 Cord coupe. :)

I remember drinking Ballantine with my late, ex-father-in-law in the mid-80s. I believe it was brewed by Falstaff out of Indiana at the time (Indiana Pale Ale), far from the rare brew in this thread.

S.

Yeah, but can you get Ballantine IPA these days, where, and is it still remotelty the same?

[steveh]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
Yeah, but can you get Ballantine IPA these days, where, and is it still remotelty the same?

I believe the answer is no (or would be) to all of the above.

S.

[Chris St Mary]

I have seen Ballantine in a paint store in Rochester, NY called Beers of the World (people in the know refer to it as the Beer Museum because of the age of some of their offerings).
Not sure who is making it and I know it's not the original just by the price and amount they have on the shelf.
It's the green glass 22 oz. bottle with the Xs on the label.
Because of the green glass and not knowing who's making it, I never bought any to try. Maybe next time I'm there...

[Mad Scientist]

Ya know....now is a good time to ask the history of the reference to a business that purveys alcoholic beverages as a 'paint store'.

In TX, we simply call it a liquor store, or...depending on which city you live in, and in what part of town, it may be referred to as an ATM....

[fretlessman71]

There was a couple who used to frequent these boards, and one of them started it - we're pretty sure it came from a Bogart film, possibly where a paint store was used as the front for an illegal liquor store or speakeasy.

[chazwicke]

The male half of that couple is doing just fine. He is currently on travel in Santiago, Chile for his company. He is enjoying the food, wine and not so much the beer called Kristal. Got an update from him the other day. I'd like to see him rejoin the board.

[fretlessman71]

Same here - he shall always be welcome, as well as his other half.

[Triple Freak]

Sweet deal brother. Wish I was there to sample them.

[flathead]

Sorry for the delay in responding back regarding the Burton and how I came to obtain it. I had to make an unexpected hospital stay thats gotten me a bit behind.

Being in the food business I used a local semi public small warehouse to store inventory and had worked with these people for several years. They had some big accounts with a few national names and the rest was locals like myself. One of the accounts was for a booze distributor who they talked about from time to time but I had never met anyone involved with the outfit myself. They stored product on site and had a few rooms converted to house what I guess would be a personal collection where they could maintain temps, etc.

All was going as normal when all the sudden the owners decided that they were going to close. They announced the decision and told everyone they had to be out by the end of the month. Now sometime during the course of this announcment and the time to be out or prior I don't known exactly how it played out but the owner of the booze distribution passed away. The controllers of the estate sent in appraisal experts to determine what was of value with regards to the booze and then instructed the warehouse to discard what was left after they removed what they wanted. I happened to be one of the last to leave and was told to help myself to any of the booze piled up waiting to be discarded. At the time I had no idea of the tale regarding Burton and really was not very familiar with Ballantine being that I was only 5 or 6 when they shut the doors in I believe 72'. At first I only had the one bottle (which was the one I eventually drank)realizing it was old I figured it would make a nice addition to my small bottle collection. It was later that the remaining product was discovered piled amongst the stuff scheduled for the trash. Noboby was interested in wanting it so I asked if I could have it, thinking that if anything I could discard the contents and use the bottles for home brew someday. I was told if I dont take it, it's going to the dumpster, so I figured what the hell, the cases looked cool and theres no doubt that it was old for beer anyway. It was a month or so after that I thought about reasearching the interenet regarding the beer, the cases had never been opened since being shipped so I didn't even know the years of that product only the one bottle that I had originally obtained from a partial case containing about six bottles. Total fluke basically, right place right time and some luck maybe destiny. hahaha

[Chris St Mary]

WOW!! Talk about being lucky! Excellent story and congratulations on your good fortune.
(Any small bottled tributes of thanks on your behalf can be mailed to:..........)

[chazwicke]

Really cool! Now I'm wondering what else might have been in that place. Might have been some other legendary brews.

[fretlessman71]

Oh yeah... make him feel bad about what he might have MISSED. Geez, guys... show a little heart! ;)

[flathead]

Actually, that was the only beer there, I got my fill of wines, scotch's, brandy's, ect. the 8ft bed of my truck made a couple trips.

[fretlessman71]

(Psst.... but I bet he STILL goes to the liquor store from time to time... you know, just to look around. ;) )

[ratman03]

I just read this thread for the first time tonight. Great stuff,
Chazwicke. Real American beer history here.

[Mad Scientist]

Wow, just incredible.....

[BigEd]

I've enjoyed reading this thread and it just reminds me of how disappointed I was to miss a tasting of the Ballantine Burton about 12 years ago at the Sunset Tap in Boston. The old Ballantine Ales (the ones brewed in Newark and to a lesser extent at the Narragansett Brewery) were wonderful products. The XXX and the IPA were on the one hand relics from an earlier time and at the same time too early for the craft beer revolution. To those who have tried the Burton, savor and treasure it. I know I would. :cool:

[chazwicke]

I just saw this on Ebay and thought I'd resurrect this thread.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ballantines-Burton-Ale-Anthony-Iorii-Christmas-Bottle_W0QQitemZ150080362685QQihZ005QQcategoryZ563 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150 080362685

[jjpm74]

How about a 137 year old bottle to go with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Bass-Ratcliff-Ale-16th-Dec-1869_W0QQitemZ290071484934QQihZ019QQcategoryZ563QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I just saw this on Ebay and thought I'd resurrect this thread.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ballantines-Burton-Ale-Anthony-Iorii-Christmas-Bottle_W0QQitemZ150080362685QQihZ005QQcategoryZ563 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150 080362685

Wow...cheap price for it too....might see if I can grab it

[chazwicke]

I had bid on it as well. I'm "chuckt." I may try again at the end of the auction. I see a friend of mine and beer writer Jeff Evans has also bid.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by jjpm74
How about a 137 year old bottle to go with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Bass-Ratcliff-Ale-16th-Dec-1869_W0QQitemZ290071484934QQihZ019QQcategoryZ563QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd love to try that beer.

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I'd love to try that beer.

I have a bottle I'm saving for a tasting if you want to partake.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by jjpm74
How about a 137 year old bottle to go with it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Bass-Ratcliff-Ale-16th-Dec-1869_W0QQitemZ290071484934QQihZ019QQcategoryZ563QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That one sold for $365 and change!

[chazwicke]

Look what showed up on Ebay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/8-FULL-BOTTLES-OF-BALLANTINE-BURTON-ALE-CHRISTMAS-BEER_W0QQitemZ120123398974QQihZ002QQcategoryZ563QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Anyone want to go in on it?




Also, look for an article on this brew in an upcomming Mid-Atlantic Brewing News issue.

[Mad Scientist]

My word......

[steveh]

Stan brought this up at his Blog too -- funny how there are no bids...

Anyone you know Chaz?

S.

[brewmonkey]

He says in the auction he sold 1 bottle for about $130 but now is asking $1500 for 8 and a BIN price of $5K?

That's almost $190 per bottle.

[MeridianFC]

I could buy a lot of good fresh beer for that price.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
He says in the auction he sold 1 bottle for about $130 but now is asking $1500 for 8 and a BIN price of $5K?

That's almost $190 per bottle.

You're paying for the box too......

[Vienna Lager]

WHAT a crock!!!


The seller wants people to bid often and 'big'.

[chazwicke]

I'm willing to buy a couple more bottles but I think I'd top out at about 100.00. I paid $5 each for the four I got. But it was an antique shop and they did not know what they had. The two that I opened for the tasting mentioned in the original post in this thread were very good still and luckily.

[jesskidden]

I'm amazed at how *many* bottles of Burton Ale have survived until now. Well, amazed and annoyed- I looked for one for literally decades- ever since the late 70's when I was told about the beer by some ex-Ballantine workers I worked with and the story was confirmed in Michael Jackson's first pocket guide (early 80's) where he talked about the beer still being in "private circulation". I didn't come across any until eBay in late 90's, when they were going in the $15-20 range- hard to justify then, but seems like a bargain today.

Rather than being a "rare" beer, it seems to be *relatively* common- well, "common" for a limited batch, "gift" beer last distributed over 40 years ago- (auctions on eBay all the time, posts about finding the beer all over the country on the various beer groups, etc) and I've got to wonder if the paperwork (if any?) that came with the case suggested continued aging OR in that era of the dominance of "light lager", was the BBA just too strong for most of the recepients and they just put it aside and forgot about it?

I see a lot of famous personalities and industry insiders listed on the labels- people who may have dealt with Ballantine or the owners, the Badenhausen brothers, on a business or social level but weren't necessarily drinkers of, say, Ballantine India Pale Ale, etc. but may have just sold a lot of Ballantine beer or ale or had a relationship with the New York Yankees (Ballantine was a long time sponsor), etc....

And, of all the stories I've read on the 'net about the beer (in some of which I was surprised to see myself being quoted from an article I wrote back in the 80's), I've never seen an interview with someone who *received* the beer.

[MeridianFC]

Not casting aspertions on what's on offer now, but given the high pricess being commanded I wonder if any bottles have been faked?

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by jesskidden
....OR in that era of the dominance of "light lager", was the BBA just too strong for most of the recepients and they just put it aside and forgot about it?

I

This gets my vote as to why there appears to be far more than people ever thought. And quite honestly, it is a unique gift, and I know in my family, unique alcohol related items (espicially full bottles) were something that was not consumed. When my grandfather passed away, there were 10 or more magnums of bordeux and burgundy (some very fine labels) from the fifties that were divided up between my aunts and uncles. I got some very unqiue mexican liquor bottles from the 60s and 70s, as well as some other very fine alcohol items...and a six pack of Billy Beer (sheesh) in good condition. If my family had been lucky enough to have recieved a case of BBA, then I am quite sure it would have survived.

[chazwicke]

Jess, did you ever get a bottle and have you sampled it. A friend of mine, beer writer Jeff Wells obtained one that I think was given to a famous mobster. I'll have to check with him on that though. I actually find it interesting that Ballantine actually allowed facitities and space to be devoted to brewing and storing this brew. But I've got to say, the two that I have sampled were stunningly good. I did know of this beers reputation before I sampled but I would have guessed that these would have long ago passed their prime and would not have been as drinkable as they turned out to be.
I have Thomas Hardys going back to 79 and I've been told that some, at least the 83, are now declining.

[jjpm74]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I have Thomas Hardys going back to 79 and I've been told that some, at least the 83, are now declining. [/B]

Some, but definitely not all vintages are on the decline. I've sampled the inaugural batch 3 times over the past 4 years and every bottle shows that this beer holds up to the test of time. While over the peak, none were faded or on the decline. On the flip side, I've heard that several batches from the late 70s and early 80s are way past their prime.