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Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Yards Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · English Strong Ale · One of 7 English Strong Ales in hopIQ

Brewed from a recipe attributed to Thomas Jefferson — made with honey, rye and wheat in the colonial tradition. Rich, warming and historically evocative. Part of Yards' Ales of the Revolution series connecting Philadelphia's present craft beer scene to its brewing past.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber10
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another English Strong Ale.
Malt character
honey
bready
malty
wheat
caramel
nutty
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FEATURED IN

#3 of 50The Best American Strong Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Appearance

Deep amber to copper-bronze in the glass, showing excellent clarity with a fine sediment suspension characteristic of bottle-conditioned ales. The head forms dense and persistent, with strong lacing that clings to the glass throughout the pour. Carbonation appears moderate, releasing fine bubbles that sustain the foam collar.

deep amberclear with fine sedimentpersistent headstrong lacing

Aroma

Floral honey notes dominate the nose, layered beneath warm fermentation character and toasted grain. Subtle spice and soft bread aromas emerge as the beer warms, with a touch of dried fruit that speaks to the ale's historical yeast strain. The rye and wheat contribute a gentle cereal backbone without sharp grain alcohol.

honey, floralwarm fermentationtoasted grainsubtle spice

Taste

The palate opens with honeyed sweetness and malty richness that evolves into bready, nutty undertones mid-palate. The rye adds a gentle spice dryness while wheat softens the overall structure; alcohol warmth is present but integrated. Bitterness remains restrained at 35 IBU, allowing the malt and honey character to lead rather than dominate.

honey sweetnessmalty, breadygentle spiceintegrated warmth

Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering honey and caramel notes that fade into a subtle drying sensation from the rye. Alcohol presence becomes more apparent in the aftertaste without harshness, leaving the palate with a smooth, slightly sweet residue.

long, warminghoney caramel fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

About English Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English Strong Ale?

English Strong 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 English Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same rich, honey, wheat character as Yards Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other English Strong Ales in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

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