The Bar Towel

So this stuff is actually a historic example of mild, right? I'm just trying to get my head around what it was. I know its listed as "English Strong Ale," but I've been doing a bit of reading on Zythophile and Shut Up About Barclay Perkins, and "X" ales were what 19th century brewers referred to what we call mild as. So an XX ale would be a strong mild, right?

I actually find beer styles kind of confusing.

Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to try this one.

Style's are certainly confusing... I had to hunt up those links again:
http://zythophile.wordpress.com/2010/12 ... #more-1670
http://barclayperkins.blogspot.ca/2010/ ... xk_02.html

Unfortunately I don't see the recipe anywhere. I think I've seen it though... maybe elsewhere on Ron's site or in the Durden Park booklet?

Anyway, it seems this was originally called an XXK. It's bigger than a pale ale, but not as hoppy as an IPA. It was probably stored (rather than served fresh), so it was probably a bit hoppier than the XX milds of the day.

Fullers 1845 is a rendition of an old pale ale, at 6.3%. After WWI, it would certainly be considered strong, but not back in that day.

I think "strong ale" is probably a decent descriptor for the XXK though (both then & now).

Their website leaves me with the impression that it's supposed to be an XX and not an XXK.


http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=377

XX Strong Ale
The first beer in the Past Masters series we have chosen to recreate is XX, a strong ale which is perfect for bottle conditioning. Brewed at 7.5% ABV, with the original recipe first used on September 2, 1891, it is dark, rich and full flavoured, with a distinctly warming character.

XX is deeply satisfying, and an unforgettable experience for those who love traditional English beer.