Old Buddy Espresso Brown Ale

Sold in extremely spiffy 473mL cans, Old Buddy Espresso Brown Ale comes from Wellington Brewery in Guelph, Ontario. The beer is made with espresso reduction and using oats and brewed up to 5.4% alcohol.

Old Buddy is a very dark brown and it pours with a short-lived tan head that shrunk rapidly to a disc of suds. The beer has a potent, coffee-fueled nose buttressed by a bit of spice. The flavour is robust, built around sturdy espresso notes and fitted comfortably into a malty, brown ale body. The back end is agreeably bitter, with persistent java vibes and a whisper of spice.

To me, brown ales and coffee are born partners, and Wellington’s Old Buddy worked the combo professionally. This is a tasty beer with loads of flavour, decent strength, and quality execution. I’d enthusiastically buy this beer again; however, I wouldn’t drink more than one in an evening.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.