Sharp’s Massive Ale

Featured in BEER November 2009 as a strong ale for winter drinking. For more beers in this piece, see previous post.

ABV: 10%
Origin: Rock, Cornwall
Website: www.sharpsbrewery.co.uk

Sharp's Brewery

Massive Ale is one of Sharp’s brewer Stuart Howe’s bottled specialities, an exciting sideline with a distinct Belgian influence for one of the more successful new cask producers. It’s a big dark barley wine, with candy sugar added to the grist and doses of Perle and Northdown hops. Bottle conditioned, it’s intended to mature for up to 10 years.

The beer poured a cloudy burgundy with a fine creamy off-white head and a heady and complex rich malt aroma with cherry and figs. Figs returned along with red berries on a sweetish malty palate with what appeared to be coriander hints, although the herb isn’t declared. There were wood and balsamic onion notes on a mellow dark orange malt finish which seemed a little reserved compared to the palate, with a slight note of Vermouth.

For more strong ales for winter drinking, see next post.

Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sharps-massive-ale/92666/