David and his wife Megan stayed at our place on their way back to New York on the night of Ocotober 9th. We started the evening with the latest batch of home brew, an IPA that Matt and I brewed. We followed up with dinner and wine at Gran Gusto, an excellent Italian restaurant in our neighborhood. After dinner David and I broke into some of the beer that he'd brought from New Hampshire, as well as some of the beer that I had in the fridge.
1081. 6288 Stout
This is one of the beers that David brought down from New Hampshire.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tuckerman Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
6288 Stout, named for the elevation of Mt. Washington, pours an opaque black color. It's topped by a brown, half-inch head that fades to a sudsy layer. The aroma is roasty with notes of chocolate and coffee, as well as hints of dates.
The flavor profile is similar to the aroma. A chocolate sweetness greets the palate, moves into a center with notes of dark fruit and a mild sharpness, and finishes with a roasty bitterness. 6288 stout is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.
I thought that this was a decent stout. The balance between sweet malts and roasted malts was good.
1082. Kennebunkport Pumpkin Ale
We had this in the fridge. Jadyn and I picked it up at Trader Joe's.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Federal Jack's Brewpub
Alcohol: 4.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a very pale orange. It's topped by a thick, off-white head. The aroma is pretty one-dimensional: pumpkin-pie spice overwhelming any hints of pumpkin. The flavor is much the same: heavy spicing, with a mild pumpkin undertone. This Pumpkin Ale is light-bodied. I thought this beer was disappointing. There was way too much spice, completely overwhelming any other characters.
1083. Boathouse Brown
David brought this one down from New Hampshire.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Boathouse Brown pours a clear brown, and is topped by a sudsy, brown head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, chocolate, and roasty accents.
The palate is malt heavy as well, though surprisingly well attenuated. Dark chocolate notes upfront move into dark fruit in the center, followed by a roasty bitterness in the finish.
I thought this was a very nice brown ale. It's malty, but not too sweet.
1084. De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva 2005
I'd had this beer in my fridge for at least two years, perhaps longer. I originally picked this up at Downtown Wine & Spirits, but I don't remember when.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers
Year: 2005
Alcohol: 13.00%
Serving: Bottle, 330 mL
Style: Flanders Oud Bruin, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.3
De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva pours a cloudy, brown color with orange tints at the edges. It's topped by a full, light-brown head that fades to a continuous film, leaving moderate lace. The aroma is dominated by two characters, acidity and a boozy, aged maltiness. The acidity is the more dominant of the two caracters, but when combined with the aged out malts give the impression of sour fruit. All overtly sweet, malty aromas have been aged out. There are notes of orange peel, alcohol, and a slight woody aroma.
This beer greets the tongue with a strong, acidic sourness, which mellows, but never disappears. All malt sweetness is attenuated and aged out, leaving the malt flavors, but none of their sweetness. This results in a mildly boozy impression, which melds well with the earthy and woody notes in the finish. This Oud Bruin feels surprisingly light on the palate. The mild carbonation, and relatively light body really accentuate the dryness of this beer.
I was very happy with this beer. I was expecting an aged, malt heavy brew, but instead got a nicely acidic and dry beer. Fantastic. I'll definitely pick up some more of these vintages if I see them.
1081. 6288 Stout
This is one of the beers that David brought down from New Hampshire.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tuckerman Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
6288 Stout, named for the elevation of Mt. Washington, pours an opaque black color. It's topped by a brown, half-inch head that fades to a sudsy layer. The aroma is roasty with notes of chocolate and coffee, as well as hints of dates.
The flavor profile is similar to the aroma. A chocolate sweetness greets the palate, moves into a center with notes of dark fruit and a mild sharpness, and finishes with a roasty bitterness. 6288 stout is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.
I thought that this was a decent stout. The balance between sweet malts and roasted malts was good.
1082. Kennebunkport Pumpkin Ale
We had this in the fridge. Jadyn and I picked it up at Trader Joe's.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Federal Jack's Brewpub
Alcohol: 4.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a very pale orange. It's topped by a thick, off-white head. The aroma is pretty one-dimensional: pumpkin-pie spice overwhelming any hints of pumpkin. The flavor is much the same: heavy spicing, with a mild pumpkin undertone. This Pumpkin Ale is light-bodied. I thought this beer was disappointing. There was way too much spice, completely overwhelming any other characters.
1083. Boathouse Brown
David brought this one down from New Hampshire.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Boathouse Brown pours a clear brown, and is topped by a sudsy, brown head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, chocolate, and roasty accents.
The palate is malt heavy as well, though surprisingly well attenuated. Dark chocolate notes upfront move into dark fruit in the center, followed by a roasty bitterness in the finish.
I thought this was a very nice brown ale. It's malty, but not too sweet.
1084. De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva 2005
I'd had this beer in my fridge for at least two years, perhaps longer. I originally picked this up at Downtown Wine & Spirits, but I don't remember when.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dolle Brouwers
Year: 2005
Alcohol: 13.00%
Serving: Bottle, 330 mL
Style: Flanders Oud Bruin, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.3
De Dolle Oerbier Special Reserva pours a cloudy, brown color with orange tints at the edges. It's topped by a full, light-brown head that fades to a continuous film, leaving moderate lace. The aroma is dominated by two characters, acidity and a boozy, aged maltiness. The acidity is the more dominant of the two caracters, but when combined with the aged out malts give the impression of sour fruit. All overtly sweet, malty aromas have been aged out. There are notes of orange peel, alcohol, and a slight woody aroma.
This beer greets the tongue with a strong, acidic sourness, which mellows, but never disappears. All malt sweetness is attenuated and aged out, leaving the malt flavors, but none of their sweetness. This results in a mildly boozy impression, which melds well with the earthy and woody notes in the finish. This Oud Bruin feels surprisingly light on the palate. The mild carbonation, and relatively light body really accentuate the dryness of this beer.
I was very happy with this beer. I was expecting an aged, malt heavy brew, but instead got a nicely acidic and dry beer. Fantastic. I'll definitely pick up some more of these vintages if I see them.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Stout, Flanders Oud Bruin, Pumpkin Ale
I hadn't managed to go to any of the Beer Advocate Fests with any of my lab mates until this years Extreme Beer Fest. Jadyn and I went along with Jeremy, Matt, Elçin and Alfonso. The fest format has remained constant: unlimited two ounce samples and booths lining the sides of the venue as well as a row of booths in the center of the venue. I was pleased with the line up of brewers at this years fest. There was a good regional representation from brewers like Harpoon, Cambridge Brewing Company, Allagash and American Flatbread to name a few. There were also a good number of brewers whose distribution doesn't cover Massachusetts: Bell's, Three Floyds, and The Bruery. I ended up having samples of 29 beers that I hadn't previously tried. I've broken up the notes into three posts, and as usual the notes are fairly minimal and should be trusted less and less the later I am into the fest.
After the first few beers I decided the most efficient way to drink was to try what I wanted to try from one booth and then to move on to the booth next door.
961. Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition/Double Cream Blend
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep black with a brown head. The aroma has notes of oak, vanilla and a resiny character. There are nice flavors of chocolate and vanilla with a boozy quality contributed by the bourbon barrels. The finish is roasty.
962. Allagash Gargamel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: American Wild Ale
This beer wasn't on the Fest beer list, but the description said it was brewed with Brettanomyces so I had to give it a try. Pours a hazed copper. The aroma hints at the sourness to come and has a nice notes of the wild yeast. Acidic and sour throughout, well attenuated so there isn't a lot of residual sweetness. The finish has a nice earthy Brett characteristic. Easily one of my favorites of the fest.
963. Allagash Confluence
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.40%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a pale, hazed golden-copper. The aroma is malty and citric with notes of acidity and Brett. Sweet overall with a sugary undertone. There's a light sourness in the center followed by earthy flavors in the finish. I'm biased towards sourness in my wild ales, so I was a bit disappointed, but that doesn't mean the beer wasn't good.
964. Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right BA Select
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
From the fest website: "A collaboration beer brewed by Sam Calagione, Bryan Selders, and the Alström Bros at the original Rehoboth Beach Dogfish Head brewpub for the 2009 Extreme Beer Fest. Brewed with maple syrup, chestnuts, green peppercorns, Korean Corn tea (Oksusu-cha), Fawcett's Maris Otter base malt, MFP kiln coffee malt, Liberty and Vangaurd hops, and DFH's Raison D'Etra yeast strain... The name is an ode to The Konami Code (cheat code) on the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 80s"
Pours a clear amber brown. The aroma is redolent of chestnuts, maple syrup and roasted malts. Sweet upfront with a light roasty character. Maple syrup sweetness appears in the center along with a nutty flavor that contributes a bit of tannic huskiness in the finish. There's also a nice peppery spice in the finish.
965. Bell's HopSlam Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper, topped by a sheet of white foam. Notes of citrus give the malts a candy-like aroma. Sweet upfront, raw sugar malts. Citric hops in the finish with a concealed bitterness.
966. Bell's Expedition Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black. Coffee and roasted malts in the aroma. Chocolate sweetness upfront, which moves into a sharp fruitiness, followed by a roasted bitterness in the finish.
967. Bell's Third Coast Old Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.20%
Style: Old Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed amber, with a good head, especially for a fest pour. The aroma is nice and malty, with caramel and a bit of toffee, there are also notes of hops. Malty with notes of caramel and dark fruit. The finish has a good bit of hop flavor and bitterness.
968. Samuel Adams Double Bock
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 9.50%
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, dark copper. Malty aroma: toffee, butterscotch and boozy notes. Caramel and toffee sweetness upfront, followed by a strong and boozy finish with lots of alcoholic spice.
969. CaCow! Chocolate Milk Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.40%
Style: Milk / Sweet Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep, dark brown. The aroma is predominantly chocolate with some nice hints of roastiness. Roasty notes upfront, but becomes increasingly sweet through the center with notes of chocolate and fruit. The finish has a nice bit of chocolate flavor.
970. The Colonel's Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.30%
Style: Baltic Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear brown with garnet hints. Roasty malts in the aroma with a nice Brettanomyces character. There's a roasty malt backbone with fruity notes, but not a lot of residual sweetness. The finish is sour with a strong Brett finish. Another very good beer. One of my favorites from the fest.
After the first few beers I decided the most efficient way to drink was to try what I wanted to try from one booth and then to move on to the booth next door.
961. Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition/Double Cream Blend
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep black with a brown head. The aroma has notes of oak, vanilla and a resiny character. There are nice flavors of chocolate and vanilla with a boozy quality contributed by the bourbon barrels. The finish is roasty.
962. Allagash Gargamel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: American Wild Ale
This beer wasn't on the Fest beer list, but the description said it was brewed with Brettanomyces so I had to give it a try. Pours a hazed copper. The aroma hints at the sourness to come and has a nice notes of the wild yeast. Acidic and sour throughout, well attenuated so there isn't a lot of residual sweetness. The finish has a nice earthy Brett characteristic. Easily one of my favorites of the fest.
963. Allagash Confluence
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.40%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a pale, hazed golden-copper. The aroma is malty and citric with notes of acidity and Brett. Sweet overall with a sugary undertone. There's a light sourness in the center followed by earthy flavors in the finish. I'm biased towards sourness in my wild ales, so I was a bit disappointed, but that doesn't mean the beer wasn't good.
964. Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right BA Select
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
From the fest website: "A collaboration beer brewed by Sam Calagione, Bryan Selders, and the Alström Bros at the original Rehoboth Beach Dogfish Head brewpub for the 2009 Extreme Beer Fest. Brewed with maple syrup, chestnuts, green peppercorns, Korean Corn tea (Oksusu-cha), Fawcett's Maris Otter base malt, MFP kiln coffee malt, Liberty and Vangaurd hops, and DFH's Raison D'Etra yeast strain... The name is an ode to The Konami Code (cheat code) on the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 80s"
Pours a clear amber brown. The aroma is redolent of chestnuts, maple syrup and roasted malts. Sweet upfront with a light roasty character. Maple syrup sweetness appears in the center along with a nutty flavor that contributes a bit of tannic huskiness in the finish. There's also a nice peppery spice in the finish.
965. Bell's HopSlam Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper, topped by a sheet of white foam. Notes of citrus give the malts a candy-like aroma. Sweet upfront, raw sugar malts. Citric hops in the finish with a concealed bitterness.
966. Bell's Expedition Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black. Coffee and roasted malts in the aroma. Chocolate sweetness upfront, which moves into a sharp fruitiness, followed by a roasted bitterness in the finish.
967. Bell's Third Coast Old Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 10.20%
Style: Old Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed amber, with a good head, especially for a fest pour. The aroma is nice and malty, with caramel and a bit of toffee, there are also notes of hops. Malty with notes of caramel and dark fruit. The finish has a good bit of hop flavor and bitterness.
968. Samuel Adams Double Bock
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 9.50%
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, dark copper. Malty aroma: toffee, butterscotch and boozy notes. Caramel and toffee sweetness upfront, followed by a strong and boozy finish with lots of alcoholic spice.
969. CaCow! Chocolate Milk Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.40%
Style: Milk / Sweet Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep, dark brown. The aroma is predominantly chocolate with some nice hints of roastiness. Roasty notes upfront, but becomes increasingly sweet through the center with notes of chocolate and fruit. The finish has a nice bit of chocolate flavor.
970. The Colonel's Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.30%
Style: Baltic Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear brown with garnet hints. Roasty malts in the aroma with a nice Brettanomyces character. There's a roasty malt backbone with fruity notes, but not a lot of residual sweetness. The finish is sour with a strong Brett finish. Another very good beer. One of my favorites from the fest.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Double IPA, American Stout, American Wild Ale, Beer Fests
We woke up late on Saturday morning. I was in a bad state until I got delicious, delicious brunch at Kitchenette. After brunch we headed up to the Bronx to see the grave of Gouverneur Morris, author of much of the Constitution. We sat in a nearby part for half-an-hour or so, and then headed out to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for some more beer.Our first stop in Greenpoint was Black Rabbit, a newish looking bar. Black Rabbit has a nice atmosphere. The ceiling is painted bright red, but the rest of the bar is almost monochrome with dark-brown, almost black wood paneling on the lower-half of the walls and off-white paint on the top half. The booths have doors and a button to press for service, and there's a retro television near the front of the bar. David and Win played backgammon and we had Welsh rarebit fondue and a cheese plate.
951. Captain Lawrence Brown Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Captain Lawrence is another New York brewery that I don't see in Boston. I was impressed last time I went to New York. Their Brown Ale pours a clear, garnet brown and is topped by a light brown head that fades to a film leaving spots of lace. The aroma is malty: toasty, bready, and chocolate notes as well a hint of fruit.
Toasty and roasty upfront. Chocolate notes and a bit of sweetness in the center. The finish has a light, roasted bitterness. Light-to-medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. The roasted malts give a nice husky character.
A nice session beer.
952. Trader IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.3
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a white head that fades to a film, leaving no lace. The aroma has notes of resiny hops, caramel malts and an apricot fruitiness.
Sweet, bready malts upfront move through more of the same in the center to a mildly bitter hop finish. There's also a bit of residual sweetness in the finish. Could use a good bit more bitterness. Thin feeling with moderate carbonation.
Needs a bit more hop bitterness and flavor.
953. Kelso Chocolate Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Greenpoint Beerworks
Alcohol: 6.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Kelso's Chocolate Lager is a clear, garnet brown in color. A thick, light brown head fades to a film. Roasty malts on the nose with a strong chocolate component.
Roasted malts and chocolate sweetness are the predominant characters in the beer. The chocolate starts off sweet, but then melds nicely into the roasted malt flavors in the finish. Medium-bodied and nicely carbonated.
The chocolate is very dominant in the beer, and could perhaps be toned down for the sake of balance, but otherwise delicious.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American IPA, Schwarzbier, Travel
921. Palo Santo Marron
I picked up a couple bottles of this beer at Liquor World in Porter Square, after reading the New Yorker article on Dogfish Head. Jadyn and I split a bottle while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and I had another bottle later that evening.
Palo Santo Marron means "Holy Tree (or Wood) Brown", and refers to the fact that this beer is aged in barrels made of Paraguayan Palo Santo, a hard, aromatic wood from South America. Palo Santo barrels are often used in South American wine making.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 12.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
Palo Santo Marron seems thick and viscous as it is poured from the bottle to the glass. A thick, dark brown head appears on the pour, and quickly fades to an uneven coating of bubbles on the surface of the beer, and a sudsy ring. The beer itself is a very dark, opaque, brown, resembling an imperial stout. Swirling brings back the head and leaves trailers of lace on the side of the glass. Rich and malty aromas are prevalent. Most noticeable is a dark chocolate aroma over subtler notes of dry fruit, and a distinct woody aroma. On warming the roasty edge of the chocolate is mellowed, giving the overall aroma a sweeter, molasses character. Swirling brings out astringent and spicy alcoholic notes.
Sweet, chocolate malts are prevalent initially, but give way to notes of molasses and dry fruit in the center with a hint of alcoholic spice. The spiciness gains strength towards the finish, and meets a dry, woody character. Upon warming the tannic woodiness and spicy alcohol in the finish become stronger. The beer is thick and full-bodied on the palate, with a good amount of carbonation that keeps the beer from feeling to syrupy or heavy on the palate.
This one is strong, malty and high alcohol; it's definitely a sipping beer, and isn't meant to be sessioned. Overall I found it very enjoyable. The Palo Santo gave the beer a woodiness that was distinct from other barrel aged beers that I've had before. If you can get your hands on a bottle give it a try. I'll probably pick up a couple more bottles to see how this one does in the cellar.
I picked up a couple bottles of this beer at Liquor World in Porter Square, after reading the New Yorker article on Dogfish Head. Jadyn and I split a bottle while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and I had another bottle later that evening.
Palo Santo Marron means "Holy Tree (or Wood) Brown", and refers to the fact that this beer is aged in barrels made of Paraguayan Palo Santo, a hard, aromatic wood from South America. Palo Santo barrels are often used in South American wine making.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 12.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
Palo Santo Marron seems thick and viscous as it is poured from the bottle to the glass. A thick, dark brown head appears on the pour, and quickly fades to an uneven coating of bubbles on the surface of the beer, and a sudsy ring. The beer itself is a very dark, opaque, brown, resembling an imperial stout. Swirling brings back the head and leaves trailers of lace on the side of the glass. Rich and malty aromas are prevalent. Most noticeable is a dark chocolate aroma over subtler notes of dry fruit, and a distinct woody aroma. On warming the roasty edge of the chocolate is mellowed, giving the overall aroma a sweeter, molasses character. Swirling brings out astringent and spicy alcoholic notes.
Sweet, chocolate malts are prevalent initially, but give way to notes of molasses and dry fruit in the center with a hint of alcoholic spice. The spiciness gains strength towards the finish, and meets a dry, woody character. Upon warming the tannic woodiness and spicy alcohol in the finish become stronger. The beer is thick and full-bodied on the palate, with a good amount of carbonation that keeps the beer from feeling to syrupy or heavy on the palate.
This one is strong, malty and high alcohol; it's definitely a sipping beer, and isn't meant to be sessioned. Overall I found it very enjoyable. The Palo Santo gave the beer a woodiness that was distinct from other barrel aged beers that I've had before. If you can get your hands on a bottle give it a try. I'll probably pick up a couple more bottles to see how this one does in the cellar.
861. John Harvard's Toasted Brown Ale
I spent way too much time waiting in line for an iPhone (I'm a consumer whore!) on Thursday July 17th. After finishing up some lab work, Jadyn and I went to John Harvard's to have some beer. I decided on the Toasted Brown Ale, which sounded nice. Now that I have a decent camera on my phone I'm hoping the number of photos for the blog will increase.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a clear, dark brown with ruby tints. Topped by a thick, fluffy, light-brown head that fades to a continuous film leaving nice lace. Toasty, bready, roasty and chocolate note make up much of the aroma.
Toasted malts upfront, bready with a hint of sweetness. Caramel and chocolate in the center with a hint of fruit. The finish is a lightly bitter, roasty character. Light-bodied, moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
This was tasty and well balanced, definitely a good session beer.
I spent way too much time waiting in line for an iPhone (I'm a consumer whore!) on Thursday July 17th. After finishing up some lab work, Jadyn and I went to John Harvard's to have some beer. I decided on the Toasted Brown Ale, which sounded nice. Now that I have a decent camera on my phone I'm hoping the number of photos for the blog will increase.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a clear, dark brown with ruby tints. Topped by a thick, fluffy, light-brown head that fades to a continuous film leaving nice lace. Toasty, bready, roasty and chocolate note make up much of the aroma.
Toasted malts upfront, bready with a hint of sweetness. Caramel and chocolate in the center with a hint of fruit. The finish is a lightly bitter, roasty character. Light-bodied, moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
This was tasty and well balanced, definitely a good session beer.
Labels: American Brown Ale
I went to the New England Real Ale Exhibition on Wednesday the 2nd. NERAX is an annual real ale event held in Somerville, MA. All beers at NERAX are cask conditioned, and are served by gravity or hand pump. I'd been the previous year, and it had slipped my mind that it was coming up. Fortunately, I passed by the Dilboy VFW Post on my way home to do laundry and noticed the sign. It's only about three blocks from my apartment so I walked over at 5:45, but wasn't able to get in until 7:15 because of limited admissions.
The Dilboy Post
The firkins
I stuck to half-pints this year, except the last beer I had which was a pint. Overall it was a pretty good fest, a little expensive, but the beer was good. I wore my Cantillon shirt and counted eight comments from other people.
661. Portsmouth American Mild
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Portsmouth Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper with a thin sudsy head. The aroma is nicely hoppy and citric with toasted malts and a heavy fruitiness. Malty upfront with toasty, bready and caramel flavors. The finish has a lingering resiny and citric hop bitterness. Light-bodied with low carbonation, and a touch oily.
662. Martha's Smoked Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Martha's Exchange
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a thin, dense, brown head that fades quickly. The aroma is dominated by smoke, with some evident coffee and chocolate notes, swirling brings out fruity and hoppy aromas. Mildly sweet upfront that is a mix of fruit and chocolate. The finish is smoky with a nice roasted bitterness.
663. Hop Back Crop Circle
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a thin, white film for a head. The aroma is grainy with a bit of sulfur, as well as yeastiness and a hint of sour apple. Grainy with some sour apple fruitiness as well as a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a dry finish.
664. Hop Back G.F.B.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 3.50%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an almost clear copper with a sudsy white head. The aroma is much the same as the Crop Circle, with a hint of sulfur and some grassy aromas. The taste is also similar to Crop Circle, but a bit more bitter. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation and dry in the finish.
665. Hop Back Summer Lightning
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden-copper with a relatively dense, sudsy, white head. The same hint of sulfur gives this beer a characteristic "Hop Back" aroma, but the graininess is diminished and a hint of caramel takes its place. Sweet and fruity upfront followed by a significant grassy bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation and smooth with a grassy dryness in the finish.
666. Hop Back Odyssey
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy amber with a sudsy, off-white head. The aroma is yeasty grassy and hoppy. Toasty malts upfront that become lightly sweet in the center. The finish is a nice mild herbal bitterness. Low-carbonation, light-to-medium-bodied.
667. Dark Star HopHead
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Star Brewing
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a sudsy white head. Piney, resiny hops dominate the aroma with some graininess that appears upon swirling. Malty upfront, only lightly sweet, with a nice resiny hop bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied with low carbonation.
668. Harpoon Brown Session Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, amber-brown with a beige head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel as well as a nice dose of hops. The flavors are malty with notes of caramel, fruit and nuttiness. The finish is nicely hoppy. Light-bodied, low carbonation.
669. Moat Mountain Brown Spruce
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style:Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brown with a half-inch, beige head. The aroma is malty with nutty and caramel aromas. The taste is much the same with a lightly bitter finish. The spruce is evident, but becomes much more noticeable towards the end of the pint. Light-to-medium-bodied, low carbonation.
The Dilboy Post
The firkins
I stuck to half-pints this year, except the last beer I had which was a pint. Overall it was a pretty good fest, a little expensive, but the beer was good. I wore my Cantillon shirt and counted eight comments from other people.
661. Portsmouth American Mild
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Portsmouth Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper with a thin sudsy head. The aroma is nicely hoppy and citric with toasted malts and a heavy fruitiness. Malty upfront with toasty, bready and caramel flavors. The finish has a lingering resiny and citric hop bitterness. Light-bodied with low carbonation, and a touch oily.
662. Martha's Smoked Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Martha's Exchange
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a thin, dense, brown head that fades quickly. The aroma is dominated by smoke, with some evident coffee and chocolate notes, swirling brings out fruity and hoppy aromas. Mildly sweet upfront that is a mix of fruit and chocolate. The finish is smoky with a nice roasted bitterness.
663. Hop Back Crop Circle
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a thin, white film for a head. The aroma is grainy with a bit of sulfur, as well as yeastiness and a hint of sour apple. Grainy with some sour apple fruitiness as well as a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a dry finish.
664. Hop Back G.F.B.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 3.50%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an almost clear copper with a sudsy white head. The aroma is much the same as the Crop Circle, with a hint of sulfur and some grassy aromas. The taste is also similar to Crop Circle, but a bit more bitter. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation and dry in the finish.
665. Hop Back Summer Lightning
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden-copper with a relatively dense, sudsy, white head. The same hint of sulfur gives this beer a characteristic "Hop Back" aroma, but the graininess is diminished and a hint of caramel takes its place. Sweet and fruity upfront followed by a significant grassy bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation and smooth with a grassy dryness in the finish.
666. Hop Back Odyssey
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy amber with a sudsy, off-white head. The aroma is yeasty grassy and hoppy. Toasty malts upfront that become lightly sweet in the center. The finish is a nice mild herbal bitterness. Low-carbonation, light-to-medium-bodied.
667. Dark Star HopHead
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Star Brewing
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a sudsy white head. Piney, resiny hops dominate the aroma with some graininess that appears upon swirling. Malty upfront, only lightly sweet, with a nice resiny hop bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied with low carbonation.
668. Harpoon Brown Session Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, amber-brown with a beige head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel as well as a nice dose of hops. The flavors are malty with notes of caramel, fruit and nuttiness. The finish is nicely hoppy. Light-bodied, low carbonation.
669. Moat Mountain Brown Spruce
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style:Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brown with a half-inch, beige head. The aroma is malty with nutty and caramel aromas. The taste is much the same with a lightly bitter finish. The spruce is evident, but becomes much more noticeable towards the end of the pint. Light-to-medium-bodied, low carbonation.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Porter, Beer Fests, Cask Ale, English Bitter, English Pale Ale, English Pale Mild Ale, Herbed/Spiced Beer, NERAX, Real Ale
601. Rogue Monk Madness
I purchased this at Downtown Wine and Spirits last night along with a few other beers. This is a Belgian recipe fermented with Rogue's Pacman yeast, albeit more highly hopped. The result is a decidedly non-Belgian tasting beer. Stan Hieronymus talks about this over at Brew Like a Monk. Its taste is closer to an American Brown Ale, which it is classified as on Beer Advocate. I served this in one of my Ommegang chalices at around 45º F.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 7.40%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a hazy, ruby-brown with a one-finger, beige head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace. There are small particles floating around the beer that detract from its otherwise excellent appearance.
Smell (3.0): The smell is mostly hoppy, with some light malts.
Taste (3.5): Lightly sweet malts upfront, it's hard to discern any malt flavors. The finish is nutty with strong hop bitterness. It's well attenuated with little residual sweetness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, low carbonation with a husky dry finish.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty easy to drink, though it could use a bit more maltiness.
Overall (3.4): An odd beer. It does really illustrate the difference that yeast strains can make.
I purchased this at Downtown Wine and Spirits last night along with a few other beers. This is a Belgian recipe fermented with Rogue's Pacman yeast, albeit more highly hopped. The result is a decidedly non-Belgian tasting beer. Stan Hieronymus talks about this over at Brew Like a Monk. Its taste is closer to an American Brown Ale, which it is classified as on Beer Advocate. I served this in one of my Ommegang chalices at around 45º F.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 7.40%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a hazy, ruby-brown with a one-finger, beige head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace. There are small particles floating around the beer that detract from its otherwise excellent appearance.
Smell (3.0): The smell is mostly hoppy, with some light malts.
Taste (3.5): Lightly sweet malts upfront, it's hard to discern any malt flavors. The finish is nutty with strong hop bitterness. It's well attenuated with little residual sweetness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, low carbonation with a husky dry finish.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty easy to drink, though it could use a bit more maltiness.
Overall (3.4): An odd beer. It does really illustrate the difference that yeast strains can make.
Labels: American Brown Ale, Rogue Ales Brewery
456. Hazelnut Brown Nectar
I purchased and consumed this last night. It was purchased at Downtown Wine & Spirits as usual. I served it in a plain pint glass. Sorry, no picture for this one.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy ruby-brown with a dense, half-inch, light brown head that thins to a persistent, smooth, one-eighth inch layer.
Smell (3.5): There's a little bit of roastiness against a nice caramel and hazelnut aroma. There's a slight metallic hint that isn't great.
Taste (4.0): Caramel and toasty malts, hazelnut nuttiness, and a subdued, but firm bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Light to medium-bodied, with significant carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavor full and very drinkable, a good session beer.
Overall (3.95): Nicely balanced and not too sweet.
I purchased and consumed this last night. It was purchased at Downtown Wine & Spirits as usual. I served it in a plain pint glass. Sorry, no picture for this one.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy ruby-brown with a dense, half-inch, light brown head that thins to a persistent, smooth, one-eighth inch layer.
Smell (3.5): There's a little bit of roastiness against a nice caramel and hazelnut aroma. There's a slight metallic hint that isn't great.
Taste (4.0): Caramel and toasty malts, hazelnut nuttiness, and a subdued, but firm bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Light to medium-bodied, with significant carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavor full and very drinkable, a good session beer.
Overall (3.95): Nicely balanced and not too sweet.
Labels: American Brown Ale, Reviews, Rogue Ales Brewery
426. Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale
I noticed there were quite a few single bottles of Indian Brown Ale and Raison D'Etre at Downtown Wine & Spirits. I hadn't had either before so I picked up one of each. I let this one warm slightly and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
The bottle says this:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy dark brown with ruby hints. A one-finger, beige head tops the beer and thins to a persistent quarter-inch layer leaving patchy lace.
Smell (5.0): Deep roasted coffee and chocolate. Just a hint of fruit and alcohol.
Taste (5.0): Sweet chocolate, fruit and caramel upfront. The finish is full of roasted coffee and chocolate bitterness.
Mouthfeel (5.0): Low carbonation, full-bodied, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Incredibly flavorful and delicious.
Overall (4.75): This is probably the best American Brown Ale that I've tried. The roasted flavors are bold, but are superbly well balanced by fruity and chocolatey sweetness.
I noticed there were quite a few single bottles of Indian Brown Ale and Raison D'Etre at Downtown Wine & Spirits. I hadn't had either before so I picked up one of each. I let this one warm slightly and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
The bottle says this:
A clean well-hopped brown ale with aromatic barley, caramelized brown sugar and whole-leaf Liberty and Goldings hops.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy dark brown with ruby hints. A one-finger, beige head tops the beer and thins to a persistent quarter-inch layer leaving patchy lace.
Smell (5.0): Deep roasted coffee and chocolate. Just a hint of fruit and alcohol.
Taste (5.0): Sweet chocolate, fruit and caramel upfront. The finish is full of roasted coffee and chocolate bitterness.
Mouthfeel (5.0): Low carbonation, full-bodied, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Incredibly flavorful and delicious.
Overall (4.75): This is probably the best American Brown Ale that I've tried. The roasted flavors are bold, but are superbly well balanced by fruity and chocolatey sweetness.
Labels: American Brown Ale, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Reviews
358 - 363. The New England Real Ale Exhibition
Published by Unknown on Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 4:08 PM.
Last night I went to the final session of the 10th Annual New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX) at the George Dilboy V.F.W. Post in Somerville, MA (only a few blocks from my apartment). All beer served at NERAX is Real Ale, meaning it is cask-conditioned. The NERAX site has a good brief description of what Real Ales are all about.
I've heard that NERAX is one of the best Real Ale events in the country. Unfortunately the final session probably wasn't the best one to go to. Many of the casks had already been emptied during previous sessions, and several were emptied during the session. Still, I had several excellent beers and I walked away with a nifty NERAX Imperial Pint glass.
Full-pints (20 oz.), half-pints (10 oz.) and quarter-pints (5 oz.) were available at the cash bar. I stuck to half-pints and quarter pints to maximize the number of different beers that I could sample. I also tried to cut down on the length of my tasting notes since it's hard to write and drink when standing.
358. Young's Bitter - England
Appearance: Clear copper, with a thin white head.
Smell: Malty with resiny hops.
Taste: Light toasty malts with a pleasing hop bitterness that isn't overpowering. The flavor of hops is more pronounced than the hop aromas.
Mouthfeel: Low-carbonation, smooth and light-bodied.
Drinkability: Very easy to drink, nice bitterness that isn't overpowering.
359. Dark Star American Pale Ale - England
Appearance: Pours a clear golden with a frothy thin head.
Smell: Very pronounced hops.
Taste: Sweet bready malts with a strong hop finish with notes of citrus.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, low-carbonation, oily.
Drinkability: Nice interplay of flavors, but the hops might be too much for some.
360. Milly's Brown-noser - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours an almost opaque dark brown with ruby edges. The only sign of a head is a thin ring of bubbles.
Smell: Roasted malts and dark fruit.
Taste: Sweet malts and fruit upfront, fading into light roasted flavors of chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Smooth with very low carbonation.
Drinkability: Nice subdued sweet and roasted flavors.
361. Coniston Bluebird Bitter XB - England
Appearance: Clear copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Damp cloth, nutty, hops.
Taste: Toasty malts, fruitiness, not a lot of hop presence.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and light to medium-bodied.
Drinkability: Not huge on flavors, but easy to drink.
362. Milly's 4th Anniversary Ale - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours a clear reddish copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Piney hops with a light citrus.
Taste: Light sweetness with a piney hoppy finish.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and oily.
Drinkability: Hard to tell, I'm full of beer.
363. Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale - Massachusetts
Appearance: Opaque black with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Nutty toffee, caramel and roasted malts.
Taste: Sweet caramel, dark fruits. The finish is sweet and candy-like with hints of roasted malts.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with a sweet syrupy finish.
Drinkability: Tasty, but a little heavy.
Overall I had a good time at NERAX. Of the beers I tried I think Dark Star APA is the winner, followed by Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale.
I've heard that NERAX is one of the best Real Ale events in the country. Unfortunately the final session probably wasn't the best one to go to. Many of the casks had already been emptied during previous sessions, and several were emptied during the session. Still, I had several excellent beers and I walked away with a nifty NERAX Imperial Pint glass.
Full-pints (20 oz.), half-pints (10 oz.) and quarter-pints (5 oz.) were available at the cash bar. I stuck to half-pints and quarter pints to maximize the number of different beers that I could sample. I also tried to cut down on the length of my tasting notes since it's hard to write and drink when standing.
358. Young's Bitter - England
Appearance: Clear copper, with a thin white head.
Smell: Malty with resiny hops.
Taste: Light toasty malts with a pleasing hop bitterness that isn't overpowering. The flavor of hops is more pronounced than the hop aromas.
Mouthfeel: Low-carbonation, smooth and light-bodied.
Drinkability: Very easy to drink, nice bitterness that isn't overpowering.
359. Dark Star American Pale Ale - England
Appearance: Pours a clear golden with a frothy thin head.
Smell: Very pronounced hops.
Taste: Sweet bready malts with a strong hop finish with notes of citrus.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, low-carbonation, oily.
Drinkability: Nice interplay of flavors, but the hops might be too much for some.
360. Milly's Brown-noser - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours an almost opaque dark brown with ruby edges. The only sign of a head is a thin ring of bubbles.
Smell: Roasted malts and dark fruit.
Taste: Sweet malts and fruit upfront, fading into light roasted flavors of chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Smooth with very low carbonation.
Drinkability: Nice subdued sweet and roasted flavors.
361. Coniston Bluebird Bitter XB - England
Appearance: Clear copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Damp cloth, nutty, hops.
Taste: Toasty malts, fruitiness, not a lot of hop presence.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and light to medium-bodied.
Drinkability: Not huge on flavors, but easy to drink.
362. Milly's 4th Anniversary Ale - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours a clear reddish copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Piney hops with a light citrus.
Taste: Light sweetness with a piney hoppy finish.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and oily.
Drinkability: Hard to tell, I'm full of beer.
363. Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale - Massachusetts
Appearance: Opaque black with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Nutty toffee, caramel and roasted malts.
Taste: Sweet caramel, dark fruits. The finish is sweet and candy-like with hints of roasted malts.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with a sweet syrupy finish.
Drinkability: Tasty, but a little heavy.
Overall I had a good time at NERAX. Of the beers I tried I think Dark Star APA is the winner, followed by Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Pale Ale, Beer Fests, English Bitter, English Pale Ale, Reviews
150. Brooklyn Brown Ale
I first had this beer at the Art of Beer Festival in May 2004. Ali and I picked up a six-pack at Downtown Wine and Spirits along with some other beers. We had this with dinner last night, a salad and black bean soup. We served the beer in standard pint glasses.
Brooklyn Brown is an American Brown Ale. This style is similar to the English Brown Ale style, although some American versions are hoppier.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear brown with ruby notes. There is a half-inch rocky heady that recedes to a thin layer. There is light lacing on the glass.
Smell (4.0): Sweet malts dominate, with notes of chocolate and coffee. Floral hop aromas are also evident.
Taste (4.0): Sweet malts are evident upfront, there are fruity notes in the center, with a light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, smooth, with moderate-carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, balanced and easy to drink.
Overall (3.9): This is a full-flavored brown ale. I like the bitterness that acts as a nice balance to the malts.
I first had this beer at the Art of Beer Festival in May 2004. Ali and I picked up a six-pack at Downtown Wine and Spirits along with some other beers. We had this with dinner last night, a salad and black bean soup. We served the beer in standard pint glasses.
Brooklyn Brown is an American Brown Ale. This style is similar to the English Brown Ale style, although some American versions are hoppier.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear brown with ruby notes. There is a half-inch rocky heady that recedes to a thin layer. There is light lacing on the glass.
Smell (4.0): Sweet malts dominate, with notes of chocolate and coffee. Floral hop aromas are also evident.
Taste (4.0): Sweet malts are evident upfront, there are fruity notes in the center, with a light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, smooth, with moderate-carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, balanced and easy to drink.
Overall (3.9): This is a full-flavored brown ale. I like the bitterness that acts as a nice balance to the malts.
Labels: American Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brewery, Reviews
