93 Oregon Brown Ale, 10 Barrel Brewing (OR). 6.6% ABV (3/12)
Rich citrusy, floral hop aromas with a crisp, vivacious fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a long, grilled root vegetable, chocolate mint and honey grilled citrus finish.
91 Point Burly Brown Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.43% ABV (3/13)
Dark reddish mahogany color. Aromas and flavors of pineapple and apricot marmalades on scone and nutty toffee with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a nicely balanced roasted nut, dried fruit, mineral and delicate leafy green hops. A rock-solid fruity session brown.
90 American Brown, Reuben’s Brews (WA). 5.9% ABV (10/12)
Murky brown color. Aromas of salty-roasted nuts and pretzels, cocoa and clay with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smoky and piney, herbal hop-accented finish. Pleasant and very food friendly.
89 Nut Brown Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.3% ABV (3/12)
Deep brown color. Very mild aromas suggest toffee and fig with a crisp, dryish medium body and a cola and cocoa, grassy hop-accented finish.
88 He’Brew Messiah Nut Brown Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Co. (NY). 5.6% ABV (2/12)
Deep brown color. Aromas of chocolate nut fudge, soy and hush puppy with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a toffeed nut, latte and grassy hop finish.
88 Rootbeer Rye, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). (2/12) %{Brewpub}
Spicy honeyed rye bread, wintergreen custard and sarsaparilla aromas and flavors with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a creamy vanilla soufflé and root vegetable and mustard greens-accented finish. Intriguing.
88 Bitteschlappe Brown Ale, Excelsior Brewing Co. (MN). 6.8% ABV (2/13) %{Brewpub}
Chestnut brown color. Fruity aromas of salt water taffy, yeasty raisin toast and spice with a supple, fruity medium body and a relaxed caramel latte, molasses and leafy greens-accented finish.
87 Hapa Brown Ale, Hawai’i Nui Brewing (HI). 6.4% ABV (3/12)
Aromas of mocha candy, soy and faint dried ham with a crisp dryish medium body and a roasted grain, peppery spice and chocolate-covered lemon and orange peel finish.
85 Nut Brown, Barrel Trolley (USA). 5.3% ABV (3/13)
Rich chestnut brown color. Aromas of tropical fruit custard, caramel spread on toast and nuts with a pillowy fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a creamy and crisp, citrus, melon, mint and nougat-accented finish. Solid and flavorful; serve with food.
86 Point 2012 Black Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.2% ABV (11/12)
Dark brown color. Aromas of dark fruit rye bread and chestnut honey with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, carrot, cocoa, pepper and grassy hop finish. A refreshing dark ale.
84 Jacob’s Ladder American Brown Ale, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 5.8% ABV (5/11) %{Brewpub}
Hazy copper brown color. Aromas of apricot butter, lemon pepper and rye toast with a supple, dryish medium body and burnt nut, garden hose, tobacco, coffee and peppery arugula finish.
81 John Ball Brown, Grand Rapids Brewing Co. (MI). 6.2% ABV (2/13) %{Brewpub}
Dark brown color. Somewhat jumbled aromas of cocoa, nuts, soy and earth with a crisp, dryish medium body and a tangy date nut bread and brown sugar-accented finish.