Theakston Old Peculier: what it is and where to buy

Theakston Old Peculier is a dark, rich English ale from Theakston of Masham, Yorkshire, and CBC Liquors in Westford carries it. You can see it on its product page or browse the full Theakston brand page to see what else is in stock today.

What is Theakston Old Peculier?

Old Peculier is a strong dark ale brewed by Theakston in Masham, North Yorkshire. It is often described as an old ale, a traditional English style that is dark, malty and fuller in body than a standard bitter or pale ale.

The odd spelling is part of the name. It refers to the Peculier of Masham, an old ecclesiastical court jurisdiction in the area, and the word is meant in that older sense rather than as a typo.

If you are looking for it at CBC Liquors, the page is here: THEAKSTON Old Peculier. Check it for what is in stock today.

What does it taste like?

Old ales of this type lean on dark malt. Expect notes of toffee, dark fruit, caramel and a little roast, with a smooth, rounded finish rather than a sharp hop bite.

It pours a deep ruby-brown to near black. Compared with an American IPA, it is much less bitter and much more about malt sweetness and depth. Compared with a stout, it is usually less roasty and a bit fruitier.

If you like English-style brown ales, porters or Scottish ales, this is a natural step along the same line.

How should you serve it?

Serve it cool rather than ice cold. A cellar temperature of around 50 to 55 degrees F lets the malt and dark fruit come through, while a very cold glass flattens them.

Pour it into a pint glass or a tulip-style glass and leave the last bit of sediment behind if there is any. Pour gently so you keep a decent head.

It is a beer to sip slowly with a meal or on a cold evening, not one to rush.

What food goes with Old Peculier?

Dark, malty ales suit hearty food. Think roast beef, sausages and mash, steak pie, beef stew or a burger with caramelized onions.

It also works with aged cheddar and other firm, nutty cheeses, where the malt sweetness balances the saltiness. For dessert, sticky toffee pudding or a simple gingerbread is a classic match.

If you are planning a cold-weather dinner in Westford, a few bottles on the table make an easy pairing.

What else does Theakston make?

Our Theakston brand page lists the range we carry, with the store's own best sellers first. Among the products are THEAKSTON BEST, a more traditional English bitter style, and THEAKSTON BARISTA STOUT, a stout built around coffee flavor.

There is also THEAKSTON PECULIER IPA, which takes the Peculier name into hoppier territory. It is a useful bottle if you want to compare the two side by side.

Trying the whole line is a good way to see how one English brewery covers bitter, old ale, stout and IPA.

Where can you find other dark and English-style beers nearby?

If Old Peculier suits you, look through our dark beer section and our stout selection for more roasty, malty options. Our wider beer category covers the rest, from lagers to IPAs.

We also have a page on beer in Westford that explains what the shop carries across styles. Across the store there are 4,588 products in stock from 1,883 brands, so it is worth browsing.

How do you get it from CBC Liquors?

Walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

We also offer pickup, delivery and shipping. Delivery hours run Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. See our delivery areas for the towns we serve, including Chelmsford, Acton and Lowell.

Stock changes, so check the product page before you come in if you are after a specific bottle. Customers rate the shop 4.7 out of 5 across 339 Google reviews.