Tooheys Old Dark Ale

[jc64]

I was waiting for a lot of flak straight off the bat with this thread, relieved, and surprised.

Bugger me, a mega swill thread and not a single horse piss reference in 17 posts? Overall positive reviews? You've changed AHB.
I'll seldom not have a glass at a pub/club but agree about it seeming thin sometimes. Between clubs it can taste different. I recall doing a round of 9 at Duntry Leagues in Orange, sitting down after 2 hours walking in the sun and it was one of the best drops if ever had. Magic. A few months later though in another pub it seemed completely different. In any case a far better product than New and glad it's on tap where New isn't.

I would have argued that it's a good option for a beer when you are out and about regardless.

 

[Blind Dog]

Will admit to a liking for a Tooheys Old if I'm out and about. Would put it before a fair number of craft beers I've had in the recent past as well.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Will admit to a liking for a Tooheys Old if I'm out and about. Would put it before a fair number of so called craft beers I've had in the recent past as well.

FTFY

 

[Brewman_]

Was out and about on the weekend at a couple of Craft Breweries. Great day I have to say, and did enjoy most of the beers. But I discovered one Craft brewery doesn't like feedback at all even after they asked me for it.
And there was no Old Tap. So.. off I went to the next.

OT, sorry

 

[TheWiggman]

How does it taste in bottles compared to a good example on tap? Must admit I don't think I've ever had it in the stubby.

 

[GalBrew]

How does it taste in bottles compared to a good example on tap? Must admit I don't think I've ever had it in the stubby.

Not too bad actually, Just make sure it's fresh. An old bottle can taste a bit like nothing.

 

[Bribie G]

Yep really simple recipe, It is a very simple beer.


Not sure what Tony got hold of, but I used Thomas Fawcett's Chocolate at 4%, BB Pale, 64% about 32% Sugar. And I think it was spot on.

What hops and yeast?
I'm doing my inaugural Kyogle brew on Sunday and will have a crack at it, haven't done a dark ale for yonks.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

POR....cant remeber the yeast...I know it wasnt a fancy one as they where not really available back then

 

[Bribie G]

I've got Notto, or could reculture some Coopers.

 

[Lecterfan]

I brought up, or at least contributed to a TO thread many years ago. Depending on the qualities that you like from it, the best advice I got back then, and I stand by it today, is to brew a schwarzbier. TO, especially cold, carries very few characteristics that I get from (and desire from) brown ales or dark ales etc... and the best versions I've brewed of it (best as in most pleasing to my palate for what I want from it) have generally been lagers, with the odd cool-fermented us05. I've only just come back to brewing lagers now after a few years and my first few are all schwarz.

Of course, if you like it to warm a little to promote its various characteristics then a dark ale is a great way to go. If you like to guzzle 17 of them cold, then I find treating it like a schwarz is very rewarding.

Just another perspective, no right or wrong of course.

 

[Bribie G]

Good idea, I might mash fairly low then run the fermentation through with Notto at say 15 degrees to get the dry and crisp characteristics. I seem to remember about six years ago I did a version for a comp, and used Notto cold as suggested by Ross at the time.

 

[fraser_john]

I'm going to say it. I like this beer.

LOL - Unfriended.

I'll make sure that we have it for you at Beer Camp.

 

[Mikeyr]

Great everyday tap beer. Agree with the crowd on freshness! It's bloody brilliant straight off the line I can tell you!

 

[jc64]

Some good discussion in this thread, both about the beer, and how best to brew an example. Good stuff.

LOL - Unfriended.

I'll make sure that we have it for you at Beer Camp.

and John that would be great

 

[Brewman_]

What hops and yeast?
I'm doing my inaugural Kyogle brew on Sunday and will have a crack at it, haven't done a dark ale for yonks.

Hops POR.

Yeast is SO4.

I can post the full recipe if you like?

 

[hooper80]

Hops POR.

Yeast is SO4.

I can post the full recipe if you like?

Yeah do that please mate!!!

 

[warra48]

TO is my go to beer when all the other taps are the usual mega brewers everyday products (notice how carefully I avoided the term megaswill?).

At my previous golf club they had a JS tap, and this usually served JS brews in rotation. But if I was the designated driver, I'd drink a bruiser (50/50 TO & Hahn Light) or a charlie ( mostly Hahn Light with a good dash of TO and I'll leave you to figure why it was named in honour of Charlie Perkins).

My current golf club burned down a few weeks ago, so we only have bottled beer from the Phoenix bar (in a converted shipping container) and TO is my regular order.

It's a good beer, not complicated, not a challenge to drink, but passes muster every time.

 

[Brewman_]

Here's the recipe off BrewBuilder Brewman.

 

[Weizguy]

Hmm, good price for 23 litres of beer, and includes the yeast. Thinking of hitting the Buy it Now button...

 

[Brewman_]

Just one comment I have on the recipe and the side by side taste off I did with a stubby of old.
The real Old, has a very slight sulphur on the nose, something I associate with a lager yeast characteristic. With the SO4, you don't get that. Otherwise it was a very good clone. The alternate yeast Saf 34/70 I think would give that same character, but I have not done that version yet.