94 Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (2/09)
Deep copper brown color. Aromas of milk chocolate-covered hazelnuts follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with lively carbonation and a honeyed pumpernickel toast notes. Finishes with a crisp, white grapefruity-like hops and a lingering subtle hazelnut mocha latte note. Very tasty and refreshing.
92 Nut Brown Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (3/08)
Copper brown color with a loose bubbly head. Roasted nut and burnt sugar aromas. A lively, effervescent entry leads to a tangy, dryish medium body of bittersweet chocolate-covered citrus peel and roasted grain flavors. Finishes with a crisp, nut, mossy earth and grilled citrus tang with mildly astringency. A spot-on English brown ale for easy drinking pleasure.
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.
91 English Brown, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.6% ABV (2/07)
Deep reddish brown color. Sweet dark chocolate and warm caramel aromas are inviting. A round supple entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of raisins, dark caramel and wheat toast flavors. Finishes with earthy nuts and orange marmalade-covered with layers of baker’s chocolate and tangy, slightly smoky hops. Very intriguing–a good foil for barbecued beef.
91 Brown Ale, Cucapa (Mexico). 5.8% ABV (2/07)
Deep chestnut brown color with a medium brown head. Sweet toffee, roasted nuts and brown sugar aromas follows through to a smooth, dryish medium body with great roundness, purity and depth. Finishes with a rich dark roasted nut, baker’s chocolate and earthy hop fade. Very nice!
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 Robert Strong Brown Ale, Flying Goose (NH). 5.67% ABV (2/07) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper brown color with a frothy manila head. Rich roasted grain and baked citrus aromas. A smooth, rich entry leads to a dryish medium body of ripe citrus, rye cracker and milk chocolate flavors. Finishes with a nice, tangy citrus and bittering hop fade. Nicely balanced and richly flavored.
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 US version of the venerable brown ale style that really nails drinkability.
88 Nut Brown Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 5.3% ABV (3/09)
Deep russet brown color with a lacy taupe head. Aromas of dark toasted fruit nut cake and mocha have a dried turkey accent and follow through on a rich, frothy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with treacle and dried citrus peel notes. Finishes with a crisp, bread flour, nutshell and mineral-accented fade.
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 The Gak, Flying Goose (NH). 5.25% ABV (2/07) %{Brewpub}
Deep reddish brown color. Creamy chocolate and caramel aromas. A frothy, smooth entry leads to a dryish medium body of cocoa, citrus and nutty toast flavors. Finishes with a long, tart citrus and bittering hop fade.
85 Brown Ale, Capital Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (2/07)
Pale amber color. Sour citrus, toasted nut and slight dishrag aromas have a vegetal edge. A frothy entry leads to a dry, tangy medium body of buttered dark toast, roasted nut and faint citrus marmalade flavors. Finishes dryly with touch of dry caramel and baked citrus-tinged hops.
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 Moose Drool Brown Ale, Big Sky Brewing Co. (MT). 5.2% ABV (2/07)
Deep mahogany color. Dusty, ashy hop and charred nut aromas. A brisk entry leads to a dry medium body of tangy, dark roasted nuts, toasted sourdough bread and ashy tobacco flavors. Finishes with a lean, smoky fade. A beer for Tiparillos?
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.
82 Hedgehog Brown Ale, Flying Goose (NH). 4.2% ABV (2/07) %{Brewpub}
Deep reddish brown color. Toffee and mocha aromas have a steely mineral edge. A tangy, frothy entry leads to a dry medium-bodied palate with dusty earth, citrus rinds and charred nut flavors. Finishes with a touch of vanilla and bitter, burnt rye toast.
80 J Dubs Wild Ale, Govnor’s Public House (IL). 4% ABV (2/07) %{Brewpub}
Burnt nut and molasses aromas and astringent bitter charred nut and burnt sugar flavors. Overbearing and bone dry with a singed citrus fade.