Old Peculier

Theakston in Masham, North Yorkshire, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Traditional Beer - Old Ale Regular

Score

7.01

ABV: 5.6%

IBU: 23

Ticks: 322

Old Peculier is possibly one of the country’s most well-known and loved ales. This unique, beautiful brew is often imitated but never matched and is sold literally all over the world. With countless awards to its credit, it is something of which every Briton can be very proud and is the epitome of the greatest of British brewing tradition. In the early years of the modern brewing era, about two hundred years ago, many brewers produced a dark, strong ‘stock’ beer in the winter months, to provide a base amount of fermented beer to add to beers brewed in the rather more volatile months of the summer. Old Peculier probably owes its origins to this. The name pays tribute to the unique ecclesiastical status of Masham as a ‘Court of the Peculier’ and is also reference to the strong characteristic of the beer! For many years it was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s ‘Lunatic’s Broth’.

Old Peculier is a beautiful, yet very simple beer, brewed using a very generous blend of finest pale, crystal and roasted barley with two bitter hops combined with the majestic and noble ‘Fuggle’ hop to produce a beer of awesome full-bodied flavour with subtle cherry and rich fruit overtones. It tastes superb when accompanied by rich stews, strong cheeses and sweet puddings.

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7.5

tfontana (7512) reviewed Old Peculier from Theakston 1 month ago

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Can from CBC - Westford. Lightly hazy, cola brown, thin cap of head, trace lacing. Aroma is strong malt and raisin. Taste is strong, earthy, caramel malt, late raisin. Smooth texture, soft carbonation, finish as taste. Good to finally have this legacy beer. Good balance and strength but not so unusual anymore.

Tried from Can from CBC Liquors - Westford on 28 Feb 2026 at 22:05

7.1

CLW (17000) reviewed Old Peculier (Bottle) from Theakston 1 month ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

16 oz can shared by tfontana. Thanks for the opportunity! Deep brown color with small tan head. Aromas is toffee, dark bread, raisins. Flavor is the aroma and mildly sweet. Medium bodied with a slightly oily mouthfeel. I am sure this was much more impressive 20 years ago. Now it is just good.

Tried from Can from CBC Liquors - Westford on 28 Feb 2026 at 21:48

reidyboy (4093) reviewed Old Peculier (Cask) from Theakston 3 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

Dark brown with a ruby hue, a creamy off-white head and a fruit malt loaf aroma. Rich and creamy, sweet fruit malt with a touch of spice and a dry herbal and slightly bitter finish.

The Old Black Swan, Bedale

Tried from Cask on 29 Dec 2025 at 14:35

cagarvie (40235) reviewed Old Peculier (Served From the Wood) from Theakston 7 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Cask from wood leeds .... Dark brown.. M thin tan lacing.. Soft sweet berries woody toffee malts nose... Dark sweet chocolate roast malts.. Rich rounded cherry chocolate roast malts.

Tried on 10 Sep 2025 at 15:46

7.5

ITFCDan (2323) ticked Old Peculier (Served From the Wood) from Theakston 7 months ago

Tried from Cask on 26 Aug 2025 at 18:54

7.8

ITFCfan (3745) ticked Old Peculier (Served From the Wood) from Theakston 7 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Tried from Cask at Peterborough Beer Festival (CAMRA) on 25 Aug 2025 at 13:32

Jow (8450) reviewed Old Peculier (Bottle) from Theakston 7 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle at home. Darker brown and beige foamy head nose is nutty and caramel. Tastes of caramel, some dark fruits, rootbeer, bready smooth palate. Very enjoyable

Tried on 24 Aug 2025 at 04:02

gave a cheers!

Grumbo's photo of Old Peculier (Served From the Wood)

7.9

Grumbo (24737) reviewed Old Peculier (Served From the Wood) from Theakston 7 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8

22/8/2025. Cask at the 46th Peterborough Beer Festival. Old Peculiar Oak Barrel. Looked great. Malty, woody, coffee, chocolate aroma. Well balanced. Good body. Well done.

Tried from Cask on 23 Aug 2025 at 10:59

7.8

Psytron (8213) reviewed Old Peculier from Theakston 8 months ago

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8

Smell of roasted malt, some licorice. Deep bronze colour, tiny beige head. Aroma of roasted malt, some mämmi and licorice. Also faint sugary note. Lightly bitter, lightly sweet. Soft carbon.

Tried from Can at Cosmic Comic Cafe on 02 Aug 2025 at 16:48

tompaulman (1433) ticked Old Peculier from Theakston 8 months ago

Tried from Cask on 02 Aug 2025 at 14:26