Featured as a selection from the new Good Bottled Beer Guide in BEER August 2009. For more selections see previous post.
ABV: 4.8%
Origin: Market Weston, Suffolk, England
Website: www.oldchimneysbrewery.com
Old Chimneys Brewery
Former Greene King, Vaux and Broughton brewer Dr Alan Thomson has consistently produced small runs of innovative beers from his Suffolk micro and Old Amber is no exception. It’s an experimental historical recreation based on a recipe found in Tolly Cobbold’s brewing archive, documenting a beer that was on their books between 1785 and 1827, and although it’s unusually light in colour for a modern porter, the colour is quite likely faithful to the brown malt of the times. Alan admits the beer isn’t to his own personal taste, but it’s a fascinating insight into the beers of two centuries ago.
Made with floor malted barley matching as closely as practical the specification of the times, it’s hopped with traditional varieties from Suffolk and Maidstone, Kent, and triple fermented, with a secondary fermentation in cask then a third in the bottle.
The result is dark burgundy with a pinky beige foam head and a restrained cereal malt and chocolate aroma. The dark malt palate is dry, milky and toasty with tart fruit and mineral hints, very slick in the mouth, leading to a roasty charred chocolate finish. A slightly acidic hint lifts an overall smoothness that’s slightly understated, and actually quite elegant for the style.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/old-chimneys-amber-porter/80319/
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