Moor Beer, Old Freddy Walker

So, here we are, the final beer in the current BeerBods Plus box. It’s all been building up to this. Old Freddy Walker won a Champion Winter Beer award last year.

Old Ale, 7.3% ABV

Featured in BeerBods Plus box 4 on 26 April 2018.

Find the brewery on Twitter at @drinkmoorbeer and on Instagram at @drinkmoorbeer.

Serving temperature

Serve this beer around ‘cellar temperature’, e.g. 13°C; 20 minutes in the fridge should do it. As ever, be wary of over-chilling your beer. More chill means less flavour. I know I always say that, but it really matters tonight. If in doubt, err on the side of serving ‘too warm’.

Moor Beer don’t use finings, so they will all pour naturally hazy.

Flavours to expect

[pullquote type=”right”]Rich, dark, full-bodied Old Ale reminiscent of Christmas pudding.[/pullquote]

Oh boy, I think we’re in for a treat here. It’s a sipping beer with big malt sweetness, often a caramel character; fruity esters, often raisins, dates, plums; low hop bitterness; noticeable alcohol warmth; possibly oxidised sherry, vinous or port wine notes, particularly in aged examples. (Not all Old Ale is actually old.) Expect a fairly full body with low to moderate carbonation, a medium dry finish and a long aftertaste.

Food pairings

It’s a robust and complex beer, and there are plenty of food pairings to be had. Roast meats will do very well here, the Maillard notes riffing with the malt caramel character from the beer. Try roast beef, lamb or venison; cottage pie would also sit well. Moving sweeter you could try mince pies and brandy butter, brandy snaps, crème brûlée, even Tarte Tatin. For cheese, try a Double Gloucester, and of course the most classic pairing of all for this beer style: Stilton.

Further info

Read more on this beer from BeerBods and Moor Beer.