AleSmith Brewing Company Old Numbskull
What the brewers say
“Caramel and toffee notes abound in this deep copper-colored American Barleywine-style ale alongside toasted malt and a hint of ripe dark fruits. Old Numbskull showcases malt sweetness, intense American hops, and an aggres- sive bitterness.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Nice malt sweetness with hints of orange, lemon, and pine. Bready and sweet malt aroma.”
Flavor: “Bright and juicy hops avors push forward over moderate caramel sweetness and yeast esters that almost venture into Belgian-style bubble gum territory. A slight nuttiness adds an earthy foil against sweet orange and grapefruit citrus and lingers into the aftertaste with only a slight alcohol heat and a smidgen of phenolic bitterness.”
Overall: “An enjoyable beer that starts off fruity with strong citrus hops char- acter over a light and sweet malt base. The phenolic component was slightly off-putting and the hops aroma wasn’t quite as assertive as hoped for, but it was earthy, well-grounded, and very drinkable as an American barleywine.
