Judge's Review: 79 Rating - Ubu Ale by Lake Placid Craft Brewing Co.

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.