Old Burnside Brewing Company's Dirty Penny Ale

I chose to turn on Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" album during this review, which is, in my opinion, their second best work; you just can't compete with Zoso.

This is a hell of a beer. It was originally suggested to me from some tattooed broad at this liquor store in a one horse town. She was pretty hot and the fact she knew about this beer and suggested it to me made me think she was a huge alcoholic, aka hot. When I was grabbing it from the cooler some dude asked if I ever had it before. I replied "no" and he said it was really good which makes me wonder, "What's going down in East Hartford?".

What's going down (my throat) is nothing more than Dirty Penny Ale from Old Burnside Brewing Company. This is a mix of their stout (40%) and signature flagship brew, Ten Penny (the rest). I haven't had their Ten Penny but I respect anyone who adds a stout to their black and tans. Yuengling uses a porter, which is delicious, but this is a little smoother and heavier on the stomach. Old Burnside, not to be mistaken of Old Ironsides, is a sister company of their Ice business, yes ice, that was founded in 1911. The brewery itself didn't come to fruition until 1994 when Bob McClellan was selling water to some gypsies and asked why the heck they were buying so much dang water. At this point, the gypsie pulled out a magical cloth covering a crystal ball and the gypsie told him his water, in layman's terms, was damn good. Bob got it analyzed and the water scientist agreed with the gyppo. So he decided to start making beer.

The name itself spawn from Bob's grandfather was talking about how beer only cost a nickle (We've all heard that one). But how extra good beer cost 10 cents, or Ten Pennies. Did I just blow your mind?

On their labels you can still find Ice Pickers, paying homage to what got them where they are...in East Hartford. No ones perfect.

The beer itself is heavy. Like as heavy, if not heavier, than a porter but not as heavy as a full blown stout. It has heavy aromas of coffee and chocolate and a slightly bitter aftertaste; around the same bitterness you'd find in a porter. I picked up a half gallon for $9. I wouldn't try drinking this 5.2% ABV beast out in the sun because you'll most likely die of heat stroke. If you got AC, this is good for you. It's available all year long so do yourself a favor, grab Dirty Penny and "polish one off".

Drinkability: 6/10

Taste: 7/10

Value: 6/10
Curb Appeal: 4/10

Overall: 5.75/10

Yuengling's Black and Tan

It's not very often beer is delicious and good for you, and this is no exception. Though I can't really say ANY beer is good for you; but this is plenty delicious. Yuengling is the oldest brewery in the United States and second in North America behind Molston. Yuengling black is tan is a mixture of their porter (60%) and Premium Pilsner (the rest) that came out in 1986, supposedly replacing their "Half and Half", which was half porter and half Lord Chesterfield Ale. It has a smooth taste and is not overbearing on the heavy, but after drinking a dozen of these you aren't gonna outrun any cops so just keep it cool, cowboy. It does leave a little taste in your mouth but only a lasting flavor of deliciousness and has the smell of angels, literally. You're not gonna be chugging this and is best sipped on in from of a campfire or woodburning stove listening to James Taylor with a Backwoods in your hand. Most black and tans you'll come across are mixed at a bar with Bass and Guinness and taste pretty darn good, but this one is premixed and is absolutely lovely, though due to shipping restrictions, is rare to come across west of the Mississippi. You can get this for less than $20.00 a case and has an ABV at 4.7%. It's definitely a nice dark beer to have to switch it up from a typical lager or ale.

Drinkability: 8/10
Taste : 9/10
Value: 8/10

Overall: 8.7/10


Other Yuengling Reviews:
Yuengling Light
Yuengling Porter
Yuengling Lager
Yuengling Bock