Old ale is a traditional type of English ale that is aged for several months or years in wooden barrels. It typically has an alcohol content ranging from 4.0 to 9.5% ABV.
History
Old ale has a long history in England. After primary fermentation, it is left to age in brewery storage. It was used for blending or direct consumption, often for special occasions. Winter warmer is a modern version of old ale, typically darker and offered by seasonal breweries during Christmas and winter months. After India's colonization, Britain began brewing export beer for overseas shipment, with Indian pale ale based on old ale recipes but with increased hops for long transportation.
Characteristics
Old ale varies widely in strength, color, and flavor. Despite its name, it doesn't have to be particularly strong, with some versions containing as little as 4% alcohol, while others are significantly stronger. Color ranges from light amber to dark red-brown, with aging further darkening the beer. It forms a small head due to long aging and high alcohol content. Light versions have a rich sweet malt flavor and aroma with notes of tart fruits, nuts, molasses, and spices. Dark versions have a deep malt character with strong notes of roasted grain, ripe fruits, citrus peel, and tobacco.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Старый эль, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.