Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

2010 British and North American Ales

Cultural Exchange

English Style Brown Ale

The precise definition of English brown ale would depend on where you are in England. It is nowadays much more closely associated with Northern England, specifically Tadcaster and Newcastle, home to Newcastle Brown Ale. These medium-bodied reddish-brown beers are malt-accented with a nutty character, a gentle fruitiness, and low bitterness. Alcohol is moderate, a maximum of 5 percent ABV. The much less prevalent Southern English style, not seen abroad, is much darker in color, sweeter on the palate, and made in a lighter style. English-style brown ales of the former type have become very popular with U.S. brewers, no doubt for the same reason as they took hold in England: namely, they offer great drinkability.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

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)
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)
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.

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