Like many American variants on traditional English beer styles, the American take on brown ale tends to be bigger in alcohol, malt and hops. Sweet, rich malt with caramel, toasted and chocolate notes, though not so evident as in a porter. Hops can be quite pronounced and citrusy.

American-Style Brown Ale

Published July 2013, Volume 34, Number 3

93 Oregon Brown Ale, 10 Barrel Brewing (OR). 6.6% ABV (3/12)

Rich citrusy, floral hop aromas with a crisp, vivacious fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a long, grilled root vegetable, chocolate mint and honey grilled citrus finish.

91 Point Burly Brown Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5.43% ABV (3/13)

Dark reddish mahogany color. Aromas and flavors of pineapple and apricot marmalades on scone and nutty toffee with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a nicely balanced roasted nut, dried fruit, mineral and delicate leafy green hops. A rock-solid fruity session brown.

90 American Brown, Reuben’s Brews (WA). 5.9% ABV (10/12)

Murky brown color. Aromas of salty-roasted nuts and pretzels, cocoa and clay with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smoky and piney, herbal hop-accented finish. Pleasant and very food friendly.

89 Nut Brown Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.3% ABV (3/12)

Deep brown color. Very mild aromas suggest toffee and fig with a crisp, dryish medium body and a cola and cocoa, grassy hop-accented finish.

88 He’Brew Messiah Nut Brown Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Co. (NY). 5.6% ABV (2/12)

Deep brown color. Aromas of chocolate nut fudge, soy and hush puppy with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a toffeed nut, latte and grassy hop finish.

88 Rootbeer Rye, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). (2/12) %{Brewpub}

Spicy honeyed rye bread, wintergreen custard and sarsaparilla aromas and flavors with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a creamy vanilla soufflé and root vegetable and mustard greens-accented finish. Intriguing.

88 Bitteschlappe Brown Ale, Excelsior Brewing Co. (MN). 6.8% ABV (2/13) %{Brewpub}

Chestnut brown color. Fruity aromas of salt water taffy, yeasty raisin toast and spice with a supple, fruity medium body and a relaxed caramel latte, molasses and leafy greens-accented finish.

87 Hapa Brown Ale, Hawai’i Nui Brewing (HI). 6.4% ABV (3/12)

Aromas of mocha candy, soy and faint dried ham with a crisp dryish medium b