Innis & Gunn Oak Aged Vintage Ale

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:46 pm

Pours a rubyish red and leaves a thin head that dissappears in about a minute. The nose is all oak, toffee and caramel with the hops more subdued than expected. The taste is similar to the other Innis & Gunn oak aged beer currently at the LCBO but certainly hoppier, fuller in flavour and longer lasting (I can STILL taste my first few sips as I post this nearly five minutes later!). Alcohol is very well integrated and leaves a warm buzz on the tongue. This beer is by no means immature like the Fuller's or St.Ambroise vintage ales. I don't doubt that it is at, or near, its peak...as it's not bottle conditioned the best before date might be fairly valid. I'll still try aging a few to see what happens.

All in all a very solid beer. Excellent winter warmer!

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:32 am

Tried one of the two I bought - a very beautiful-looking beer but stylistically it doesn't fall in the ballpark any real likes for me. I'll try the regular edition one but personally I feel this was too much fuss and cost for the end result. But a good experiment!

(over 2 cases stacked on the floor at Queen's Quay.)

Jon Walker · Post by **Jon Walker** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:08 pm

If anyone wants to buy a dozen of these I still have a third case on hold for me at Queen's Quay that I don't want. If interested then message me and I'll give you the details.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:48 am

It's on the shelves all over the place...looks like there are more than 2000 bottles in this seasonal buy.

I'll be loading up on this limited I&G today.

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:58 am

pootz wrote:It's on the shelves all over the place...looks like there are more than 2000 bottles in this seasonal buy.

According to the I&G website, the LCBO and the Waitrose supermarket chain in the UK are the only places selling this beer:

http://www.innisandgunn.com/thebeer_its ... dition.htm

So, Ontario likely got a good chunk of the 40,000 bottles produced.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:11 am

GregClow wrote:
pootz wrote:It's on the shelves all over the place...looks like there are more than 2000 bottles in this seasonal buy.
According to the I&G website, the LCBO and the Waitrose supermarket chain in the UK are the only places selling this beer:

http://www.innisandgunn.com/thebeer_its ... dition.htm

So, Ontario likely got a good chunk of the 40,000 bottles produced.

The LCBO listing states this is the 2005 vintage???

Bobbyok · Post by **Bobbyok** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:15 am

pootz wrote:
GregClow wrote:
pootz wrote:It's on the shelves all over the place...looks like there are more than 2000 bottles in this seasonal buy.
According to the I&G website, the LCBO and the Waitrose supermarket chain in the UK are the only places selling this beer:

http://www.innisandgunn.com/thebeer_its ... dition.htm

So, Ontario likely got a good chunk of the 40,000 bottles produced.
The LCBO listing states this is the 2005 vintage???

As discussed in the other thread, it's likely because when the LCBO was making it's decision they sampled the 2005. Since they selected in for late 2006, Innis and Gunn likely had to make another batch. Seeing as they have two Vintage 2006's listed on the website - the IPA and this one - sounds as though this is probably the case.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:04 pm

It's definatley not a scotch ...it's an IPA of sorts although a very malty mellow one...the hops are there but certainly not forward like a Pacific NW alpha bomb.

Very mellow and subtle beer... the warmer it gets the more flavors you find in it....nice.