Old Original vs The Longbowman Strong English Ale: Which Should You Drink?

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Old Original

Everards Brewery

United Kingdom · English Strong Ale

hopIQ rank #2891

89%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

The Longbowman Strong English Ale

Arrow Factory Brewing

China · English Strong Ale

HOPIQ TAKE

Old Original if you want a strong ale that drinks smooth and restrained, The Longbowman if you want alcohol presence you can actually taste. Both are English strong ales, but they're pulling in different directions—Everards built something deceptively easy-drinking at 5.2%, while Arrow Factory leaned into the heft at 7.5%. The IBU gap (35 vs 28) is telling too: Old Original's slightly more assertive bitterness keeps it from feeling flabby, whereas Longbowman prioritizes warmth and richness over bite.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Old Original when…

→You want to ease into the evening without getting blindsided by ABV
→You prefer bitter balance over sweet depth
→You're at a pub session and don't want to feel wrecked after a couple

Pick The Longbowman Strong English Ale when…

→You're after a legitimate strong ale experience—something with texture and alcohol warmth you can feel
→You want to sit with one beer for a while and explore it
→You prefer malt sweetness and complexity over sharp hoppy edges

SIDE BY SIDE

	Old Original	The Longbowman Strong English Ale
ABV	5.2%	7.5%
Bitterness	Noticeably bitter	Noticeably bitter
Colour	Deep amber	Deep amber
Style	English Strong Ale	English Strong Ale
Origin	United Kingdom

WHAT IT TASTES OF

9 shared · 2 distinct

Both beers

richmaltycarameltoastyboozysweetsmoothdark fruitbitter

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Old OriginalThe Longbowman Strong English Ale

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Old Original

RichFruitySweet

Old Original sneaks up on you. It's got this malt-forward sweetness—dark bread, a touch of caramel—but it never gets cloying because that 35 IBU backbone holds it honest. The alcohol sits quietly in the background; you notice the warmth more than any burn. It's the kind of beer you can have two of and still feel like you're in control, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your evening.

The Longbowman Strong English Ale

MaltyRichToasty

The Longbowman announces itself immediately. There's genuine alcohol warmth here—7.5% doesn't hide—but it's wrapped in toffee, dried fruit, and a slight vinous quality that makes it feel intentional rather than rough. The lower IBU means less defensive bitterness, so you're tasting the yeast character and malt complexity more prominently. This one demands respect and probably a slower pour.

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