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.
93 Bear-Ass Brown, Silverton Brewery (CO). 4.2% ABV (2/11)
Dark brown color. Rich aromas of artisan chocolate and dark roasted nuts with a crisp, round, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a drying, roasted root vegetable, bamboo shoot and mineral-accented finish. A very nicely balanced, session style brown ale.
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 Old Jail Ale, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 5% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Bright copper color. Mild aromas of caramel-drizzled date and fig breads and caramel apple with a vibrant, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, refreshing, lettuce-like hop finish. Pure, restrained and elegant; a very nice session or food beer.
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 highly 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 Beer 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.
89 Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (2/11)
Dark ruby red. Rich toasted bread and hazelnut aromas with a chewy, plush, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crisp, citrus pith and leafy finish. Nice nutty flavor.
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.
88 Samuel Adams Brown Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.4% ABV (2/11)
Deep mahogany color. Aromas of toasted fig bread and marmalades with a crisp, round dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppery, honeycomb- and radish-accented finish.
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.
83 Ale of Avalon English Style Brown Ale, Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 7.3% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Brown-black color. Charred nut bread, sorghum and mocha butter cream aromas with a soft, lightly carbonated dryish light-to-medium body and gas station coffee, dusty carrot skin and romaine lettuce finish. An earthy rustic brew.
82 Brunette Nut Brown, Nebraska Brewing Co. (NE). 4.5% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color with an olive cast. Mild char-roasted walnut, singed sourdough crust and earth aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dry and slightly sour light-to-medium body with some old celery and cabbage notes, and a grapefruit pith and nut skin finish.
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