93 Nut Brown Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (3/10)
Deep copper color. Aromas of grapefruit marmalade and peach butter on nut bread follow through on a soft silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with tangy honey and nut notes, and a crisp, earthy hop, sassafras and nut finish. A spot-on session beer.
92 Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (3/10)
Deep copper color. Vibrant aromas of roasted cashews and hazelnuts drizzled with artisan chocolate follow through on a round, velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with great vibrancy and balance. Finishes with a long hazelnut latte and mild white grapefruit zest fade. A fantastic marriage of nuts, malt and hops.
91 Samuel Adams Brown Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (3/09)
Deep ruddy brown color with a frothy khaki head. Dark raisin toast and cocoa aromas follow through on a very smooth, mouth coating entry to a dry light-to-medium body with roasted nuts and toasted grain notes. Finishes with a lightly crisp citrus pith and earthy dusty nut fade. A dead-on English-style brown with great poise and comforting drinkability.
90 Beertown Brown, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/08)
Deep reddish copper brown color. Buckwheat honey, oily roasted peanut and delicate spicy caramel aromas. A round smooth entry leads to a dryish medium body of succulent roasted nut, cocoa and honeyed toast flavors. Finishes with a long, clean and refreshingly crisp fade. A classic U.S. version of the venerable brown ale style that really nails drinkability.
90 Voodoo Brown Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.4% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Reddish mahogany color with a lacy manila head. Aromas of caramelized nuts and grain with a hint of cocoa follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with raisin, dark rye toast and toffee notes. Finishes with a pleasant dried pear, chalk and burnt sugar fade. Very nice and high drinkable brown ale.
90 Monkey Wrench, Daleside Brewery (England). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Deep copper color. Aromas of milk chocolate croissant and lightly roasted nuts follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with dried fruit notes and a nicely balanced, understated citrus and earth-accented finish.
90 Nut Brown Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 5.3% ABV (3/10)
Deep reddish copper brown color. Bright aromas of apricot butter on pumpernickel toast, sausage and roasted whole nuts follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with very good depth and a singing dried fruit note. Finishes with a mellow, creamy chocolate and earthy, straw-like hop fade. A very nice session beer.
88 Buzzsaw Brown, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 4.8% ABV (2/09)
Rich brilliant copper color. Aromas of ripe honeyed orange and tapioca follow through on a plush entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with roasted walnut, grain bread and tangy kumquat marmalade and spice notes on the refreshingly crisp finish. A very nice food beer with a zesty citrus character.
87 Old Jail Ale, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 4.35% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep amber color. Toasty pumpernickel bread and caramel aromas and flavors on a smooth, dryish medium body with a touch of citrus and earth on the finish. A nice food beer.
84 Antler Brown Ale, Barley Creek Brewing Co. (PA). 5% ABV (2/09)
Rich hot chocolate and honeyed raisin toast aromas and flavors with thin milky texture and a quick milk chocolate, wax and toasted marshmallow finish.
83 Big Bertha Brown Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 4.4% ABV (2/09)
Deep copper color. Burlap grain bag, nutshell and creamy cocoa aromas follow through on a round, brash entry to a dryish medium body with earthy silt and grass notes. Finishes with a mélange of wet grains, toasted peanuts in the shell and faint caramelized grapefruit peel accents.