St. Peters Strong Ale

BeerMonger · Post by **BeerMonger** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:07 pm

Tried this the other day and was pleasantly surprised...very tasty. I haven't seen anyone else mention this ale, let me apologize ahead of time if I missed it and my comment is old news...

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:04 am

This beer was the biggest disappointment fromthe release for me.

I am a fan of the organic ale, in fact I think it is awesome, but this one just lacked character completely. Like bread mixed in with water, add brown food colouring.

BeerMonger · Post by **BeerMonger** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:40 am

It always amazes me how different our palates are...I found this to be full of flavour...I rated it ahead of the Twisted Thistle (I realize they are not beers of the same genre). I had a bottle of the Westmalle in the same session and found the St. Peters to rival it in flavour.

It was Thanksgiving, perhaps I was in too thankful of a mood? Or was the bottle you had somewhat off? I have another bottle that I will try tonight...perhaps my opinion will change. Anyone else with other thoughts?

Slacks · Post by **Slacks** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:23 am

I lean on the "ok" side of the fence with the Strong Ale. I found it a decent beer, better to my tastes than the Organic Ale. I wouldn't even begin to compare it to Westmalle, which I found to be far, far superior.

Cheers,
Rick.

Raisy · Post by **Raisy** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:42 am

I found the Westmalle to be superior, but I must say that I really enjoyed the Strong Ale.

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:35 am

I'll add to my first post by saying that I guess I was expecting something a little more "full" from the strong ale. It's too heavily leaning towards to malty side for my tastes. I am glad I got to try it, and I ight give it another whirl next week.

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:50 pm

I find most of the St.Peter's line pretty average to be truthful. We've seen most of their offerings through the LCBO during the past six years as part of various seasonal offerings. The strong is pretty good but isn't as pleasing (to me) as the St.Peter's Winter Ale.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:28 pm

Agreed on that - most St. Peters are merely 'nice', save the Winter Ale which I found had something extra.

Trouble is when a beer is this expensive, just 'nice' doesn't qualify my buying caseloads of it. Wellington by contrast makes 'nice' brown and strong ales that are much better priced, and IMO more flavorful than many ales from St. Peters.

But it's all personal, I know a friend is crazy for St. Pete's so there - whatever pleases each drinker.

Jan Primus · Post by **Jan Primus** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:46 am

They do come in nice bottles.

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:18 pm

...however, said bottles are not ideal for storing beer.

I'm a fan of St. Peter's work, although I found the Organic Ale to be very watery. And the less said about that Lemon & Ginger-flavoured number, the better.

The Strong Ale was a bit of alright, though. I'd hit it.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:59 pm

the less said about that Lemon & Ginger-flavoured number, the better.

... not to say even less about the Grapefruit-flavored one, I imagine.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:38 pm

I'm usually underwhelmed by the St. Peter's line, but I picked up a bottle of the Strong Ale yesterday. I'll try it tonight.

On the flip side, I picked it up while I was picking up my case of Rogue Brutal Bitter. Now THAT is a tasty beer. I'm very glad I ordered a case (probably should've ordered 2). I've yet to be disappointed by a Rogue beer.

Hamilton Brian · Post by **Hamilton Brian** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 6:13 pm

I really, really, really enjoy the St. Peter's. Now, on to cases of Rogue, it leads me to my Great Divide stash....that sucker is dwindling. Time for another PI?

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:18 pm

I find the St. Peter's (and I believe this was mentioned in another thread) is vastly better at cellar temperature than straight from the refrigerator. That may explain some of the mixed reviews, not sure.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:24 am

For sure, a lot of great beers can be ruined by presentation - extremely long and cold storage is a great way to make most any beer seem thin, brassy and without aroma.

Compare this to serving @ cool cellar temp or just a few mins in the fridge before enjoying - this will present any 'real' beer at its prime of smell-and-taste potential. The slight cooling off (as I understand it) just helps conceal the alcohol while keeping the sweetness in proper balance. All the aromatics will be much more lively.