This Top Ten Old Ales list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The best old ales are dark amber to brown in color. These ales are medium to full-bodied with a malty sweetness. Hop aroma should be minimal and flavor can vary from none to medium in character intensity. Fruity-ester flavors and aromas can contribute to the character of this ale. Bitterness should be minimal but evident and balanced with malt and/or caramel like sweetness. Alcohol types can be varied and complex. A distinctive quality of these ales is that they undergo an aging process (often for years) on their yeast either in bulk storage or through conditioning in the bottle, which contributes to a rich and often sweet oxidation character. ABV: 6.30% – 9.10%. IBU: 30-65.
1. Old Snaggletooth – Foxhole Brewhouse – Minnesota
2. 10&2 Barleywine – Fifty West Brewing – Ohio
3. Old Stock Cellar Reserve – North Coast Brewing – California
4. Heini’s Good Cheer – Roundabout Brewery – Pennsylvania
5. Vintage 2016 – Fortnight Brewing – North Carolina
6. Beer 101 Strong Ale – NC Teaching Brewery – Ontario
7. Olde Ale – AleSmith Brewing – California
8. Old Stock Ale – North Coast Brewing – California
9. Curmudgeon Old Ale – Founders Brewing – Michigan
10. Pilgrim’s Dole – New Holland Brewing – Michigan
History of Old Ales
Old ales, a traditional English beer style, trace their origins to the medieval period, with significant development through the 17th and 18th centuries. Initially, these beers were brewed as strong, malty ales intended for long-term storage, often in wooden barrels, to develop complex flavors. The term “old” referred to the aging process, which could last months or years, allowing the beer to mellow and gain characteristics like leather, dried fruit, and subtle oxidation notes. Brewers in England, particularly in regions like Burton-upon-Trent, crafted these beers with high alcohol content to ensure preservation, making them a staple for wealthy households and taverns. By the 18th century, old ales were distinct from milder “running ales,” which were consumed fresh, and their robust nature made them a precursor to other strong styles like barleywines.
The industrial revolution and changing tastes in the 19th and 20th centuries impacted old ales, as lighter, clearer beers like pale ales and lagers gained popularity. However, old ales persisted, particularly in regional breweries, with notable examples like Theakston’s Old Peculier and Greene King’s Olde Suffolk enduring as classics. The style often overlapped with stock ales and winter warmers, with some versions blended with younger beers to balance their intensity. The craft beer revival in the late 20th century sparked renewed interest, with American and British brewers experimenting with barrel-aging and higher-gravity recipes, reviving the style’s rich, warming character. Today, old ales remain a niche but cherished style, celebrated for their historical depth and complex, sippable profiles.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged