Mr. Brown

People’s Brewing Co.

Lafayette, IN

One of People’s Brewing Co.’s most popular beers, Mr. Brown is brewed with pale, Caramalt 60, Chocolate and Black malts and hopped with East Kent Goldings and Columbus hops.

ABV: 7.0

ABW: 5.5

COLOR: 27

BITTERNESS: 47

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1068

AVAILABLE: IN

This russet-colored beer leaves conventional British brown ales trailing in the wake of what the label calls an imperial American brown ale. Peppery hops, roasted grain and rich chocolate combine on the aroma, followed by a bittersweet palate with chocolate, burnt fruit and peppery hops. Dark malts and chocolate build in the finish that has a final flourish of bitter hops.
- Roger Protz

Though the beer claims to be brown, that’s really only true in direct sunlight. It’s at least as dark as most stouts—very nearly black. The aroma shows dark chocolate, floral coffee and a pleasant overlay of hops. Hop bitterness combines with a roasted bit to form a snappy palate, focused but not overwhelming, with a slightly sweet malt core. The finish dries out and the bitterness hangs on, but cleanly. Look, I know brown ale. Brown ale is a friend of mine. Mr. Brown is no brown ale, “imperial” or not. It is tasty, though, so cook up your favorite spicy chili recipe and have at it.
- Garrett Oliver

Roger Protz
Author of 300 Beers to Try Before You Die and 300 More Beers to Try Before You Die. Respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and www.protzonbeer.co.uk.

Garrett Oliver
Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery, the Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Companion to Beer, the author of The Brewmaster’s Table, and the veteran host of more than 900 beer dinners in 15 countries.