Gale’s Prize Old Ale: With its “dried apricots in vinegar” flavour (motelpogo) this beer divides opinion. argo0 sums up the difficult nature of Prize when he says, “basically, the beer looks like shit and has a crappy mouthfeel, but has a great aroma and decent flavor. Tough beer to rate.” England does have a reputation for huge, complex beers that need to be laid down for a few years. Sadly, Thomas Hardy’s Ale and Courage Imperial Russian Stout are no longer made (editor’s note: Thomas Hardy’s is being resurrected this year by O’Hanlon’s). Prize Old Ale, from the small, regional brewery of George Gale in Hampshire, is the only genuine example still in regular production. Not a beer to be drunk young, unless you want to waste your money, Prize Old Ale is best after 20 years aging.
This ale is no longer produced. It was discontined when Fullers bought George Gales and Company in 2006.