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.