Judge’s Review: 79 Rating – Ubu Ale by Lake Placid Craft Brewing Co.

American Brown Ale | Year-Round | United States

By Michael Bury

Judges Rating: 79
Aroma: 19
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 33
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 14

Lake Placid’s Ubu is being evaluated as an American Brown ale (2015 BJCP Category 19C) despite the brewery’s recommendation of it being an English-style strong ale. 
Ubu opens with reserved chocolate and molasses that mingles with a bit of biscuit and dried figs. There’s also a hint of clean acid indicating too low of a beer pH. 
Light toast with supporting caramel, baker’s chocolate, and dried fruit can’t support the medium high hop-based bitterness that’s similar more to an IPA than an English-style strong ale.  The semi-dry finish leaves the palate clean with a lingering trace of light earthy hops. 
As an American Brown ale, Ubu is a solid contender with up-front bitterness. However, as an English strong ale it lacks the fermentation character of the best examples coupled with the rich malt that many equate with barleywines.