Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Available: nationwide
Jacob Leinenkugel founded this Wisconsin brewery in 1867. Five generations have been involved in running the brewery.
ABV: 4.9
ABW: 3.9
Color: 23
Bitterness: 13
Original gravity: n/a
The impressive, bright chestnut color is downplayed a bit by the slack, fleeting head. The aroma reinvigorates this beer with a burst of nutty caramel apple, and hints of vanilla and maple. The body is wispy, but bolstered by some residual sweetness. The flavor mimics the nose and offers the slightest suggestion of chocolate and hazelnut. The finish is not a mouthful, but flavor aplenty helps this serve as a winter session beer, given its sweetish dark malt and warming allusions. Warm apfelstrudel with molten vanilla ice cream in front of a hearth would complement this beer impeccably.
Even though "nut brown" is an old designation for English brown ales, the words "ale with natural flavor" on the label give me some trepidation. The beer has the full deep color of maple syrup and the tan head is impressive. The aroma...well, this is where the "natural flavor" comes in. The beer smells like peanut butter, vanilla, Butternut candy bars and hazelnuts. A similar flavor clings to the tongue on a sweet palate. If you enjoy your coffee similarly enhanced, you may enjoy this beer. If you seek a brown ale, this is not the beer for you.
K. Florian Klemp is an award-winning homebrewer and general hobbyist who thinks there is no more sublime marriage than that of art and science.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
