23rd Anniversary old ale

When we started brewing back in 1989, the closest thing in town to an English-style Old Ale came in a paper bag. Twenty-three years later, we like to think we had something to do with improving the local beer selection in San Diego.

Our 23rd Anniversary Old Ale is indeed “old ale,” after spending a full year in American oak bourbon barrels. The result is an unblended and unmistakably complex strong ale with rich layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, warming bourbon, and toasted oak. Save a bottle. Like us, this one gets better with age.

The 23rd Anniversary Old Ale was aged for 12 months in American oak barrels and is the first Karl Strauss barrel-aged beer to be offered unblended. It’s loaded with complex layers of toffee, molasses, dried figs, and toasted oak. A pronounced warming bourbon flavor contributes to the beer’s 12.2% alcohol content—making this strong ale an ideal after dinner sipper or accompaniment to desserts like bread pudding. The company only bottled 413 cases of this beer, encouraging fans to enjoy one now and lay another down several years. “This beer is only going to get better with age,” says Segura. “As time passes, the bourbon character will mellow and more of the dried fruit and vanilla flavors will come out.”

Alcohol by Volume: 12.2%
Color: 22 SRM
Bitterness: 30 IBU