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1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale

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Resinous notes and spikes of citrus meet liquorice, Marsala wine, caramel and spicy orange, and a flicker of dark fruit freshens the finish. The strong ale (6.5%, copper-bronze) was first brewed in 1998 for the brewery's tercentenary, hence the name. It is hopped three times with Target, Challenger and Goldings and matures in the bottle, which gives fine, Champagne-like bubbles; drunk fresh or left a few months, it mellows.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter32 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Silver · 2026
International Brewing Awards
Smallpack Ale – Class 4 (5.5%–6.9%)
Silver · 2024
International Brewing Awards
Smallpack Ale – Class 4 (5.5%–6.9%)
Silver · 2025
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain (regional, London & South East)
Real Ale in a Bottle
Bronze · 2024
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain (regional, London & South East)
Real Ale in a Bottle – Strong
Bronze · 2022
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain (regional, London & South East)
4.4% ABV and above
Gold · 2025
World Beer Awards
Bitters over 5.5%
Gold · 2025
World Beer Awards
England – Bitters over 5.5%
World's Best Bitter · 2024
World Beer Awards
Bitter over 5.5%
Country Winner · 2021
World Beer Awards
England – Best Pale Bitter over 5.5%
★Silver — International Brewing Awards (Smallpack Ale – Class 4 (5.5%–6.9%))
★Silver — International Brewing Awards (Smallpack Ale – Class 4 (5.5%–6.9%))
★Silver — Champion Bottled Beer of Britain (regional, London & South East) (Real Ale in a Bottle)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
resinouscaramelcitrusy
resinous
caramel
citrusy
dark fruit
orange
spicy
Aroma
Resinous pine and Edelhopfen character dominate the nose, underpinned by rich caramel and Malz sweetness reminiscent of Marsala wine.
also:malty
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale

◎ Appearance

Copper-bronze hue with excellent clarity and a persistent head that leaves fine Schaumkleiden down the glass as it settles. The color deepens toward mahogany at the edges, suggesting considerable malt depth and age-worthiness. Carbonation is gentle and well-integrated, befitting a bottle-conditioned ale.

copper-bronzeclearfine lacinggentle carbonation

◌ Aroma

Resinous pine and Edelhopfen character dominate the nose, underpinned by rich caramel and Malz sweetness reminiscent of Marsala wine. Liquorice and spicy orange notes emerge with aeration, while subtle oak and dark fruit suggest careful aging in the bottle. The alcohol is present but restrained.

resinous pineMarsala sweetnessliquoricespicy orange

◐ Taste

Full-bodied entry with pronounced caramel and sweet Malz character, balanced against 32 IBUs of controlled bitterness. The mid-palate unfolds with layered complexity: liquorice, orange zest, and a subtle oak frame alongside dark stone fruit. Alcohol warmth integrates seamlessly, adding to the overall spice and depth without harshness.

full-bodiedcaramel maltbalanced bitternessstone fruitwarming alcohol

◑ Finish

Long, drying finish with lingering spice and a subtle bitter edge that evolves toward oak and dark fruit. The sweetness recedes gracefully, leaving a smooth, warming aftertaste that invites contemplation.

long finishdryingspicy lingering
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
84
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with 1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale

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About Old Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Old Ale?

Old Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Old Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same resinous, caramel, citrusy character as 1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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