Brawler Champion Ale
Yards Brewing Co.

Brawler Champion AleBrawler Champion Ale
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From:
Yards Brewing Co.
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
English Dark Mild Ale
Ranked #35
ABV:
4.2%
Score:
84
Ranked #23,008
Avg:
3.71 | pDev: 13.75%
Reviews:
341
Ratings:
1,217
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 13, 2023
Added:
Dec 10, 2008
Wants:
  72
Gots:
  342
The most approachable of our ales, Brawler is malt forward and delicately hopped for a knockout flavor. Its smooth character, hints of caramel and toast, and remarkable drinkability define this ruby colored brew as a true session ale. Perfect when you want to go more than a few rounds.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MadCat:
Photo of MadCat
Reviewed by MadCat from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look: A nice dark brown with a short tan head

Smell: Caramel and biscuity malts

Taste: Caramel and biscuity malts, light hops

Feel: Light body, good carb

Overall: A very good brew, something I would like to get more of as it is quite drinkable. I could have easily gotten a few more if the keg hadn't kicked
Jul 07, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.37 by TheIPAHunter from California

Oct 13, 2023
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

2.81/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
12 oz can from an Acme in the Philly metro area. A 28 June 2023 bottling date is stamped on the neck.

Appearance. Excellent, with an unusually durable off-white head.

Both the aroma and the flavor seem off
Sep 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.25 by mpenske from California

Aug 10, 2023
Photo of GrumpyGas
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois

3.79/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz undated bottle poured into a pint glass shows a dark yellow amber body and floats a 1/2" head of cream colored foam with a persistent filmy cap, and leaving virtually no lacing.

Nutty malt aroma dominates with hints of toast and cherries and the flavor matches.

Mouthfeel is smooth, light and slightly slick.

Overall an easy drinking example of an all too hard to find style around here, but this might be changing as more local breweries are upping their game in classic styles.
Jul 14, 2023
Photo of Bluerabbitbell
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
5/10/23 Poured from a 12 oz bottle from my BIL!

Brown bread malty aroma with the same taste. Beautiful deep amber, light copper. Very little head or lacing, per style that is to be expected.

First time trying this style. It has lager characteristics to me.
May 11, 2023
Photo of dano213
Reviewed by dano213 from Pennsylvania

3.77/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle purchased from the fridge as part of a mix-a-six pack for $13.99. Bottled on 10/10/22, so this beer is almost 7 months old.

Look: Pours a very pretty perfectly clear ruby amber color. There was a nice one-finger of khaki-colored head that reduced to a thin layer. Lots of very tiny bubbles are quickly rising up the glass.

Smell: It has some interesting, very malty aromas. Initially, I get notes of chestnuts and some subtle, underlying cherry notes. There's a lot of molasses and some caramel coming through. The finish has light cocoa and some woody/leathery notes. I also get allusions to root beer from this beer. There were some medicinal notes on the nose initially that blew off.

Taste: It's nice. If you wanted an English Dark Mild Ale then that is what this tastes like. Honestly, it's a bit watery and that just might be how it's supposed to be. As I picked up in the nose, this beer has some root beer vibes going on. I also get subtle raisin notes on the finish. There are a lot of dark malts here, it's very pleasant. Prominent toasted grain character (reminiscent of grape nuts cereal). What's interesting is that this beer is not sweet, not bitter, very malty, and it's pretty dry. Compared to a porter or a stout, it doesn't have pronounced roasted malts or strong chocolate/coffee flavors. It's kind of like a "light" malty beer. Very subtle hop notes and bitterness on the finish.

Feel: It's on the lighter side of medium bodied. I think that this may be slightly over-carbonated.

Overall: It's a nice low ABV English-style ale. It has a nice amount of flavor and it's pretty tasty. I'm not blown away by it and I am pleased by it.

From the website:
SMOOTH, CRISP, CLASSIC
Crafted in the style of an English mild, this malt-forward ale is great when you want to go a few rounds. Its smooth character, hints of caramel and toast and remarkable drinkability define this ruby-colored brew as a knockout session ale.

4.2% ABV
12 IBU
11°P OG

Style
English Mild

Color
Ruby

Ingredients
Crystal and amber malts; roasted barley

Availability
Year-Round
May 02, 2023
 
Rated: 3.52 by BeerInspector from Delaware

Feb 20, 2023
 
Rated: 3.63 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia

Feb 19, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Jdells09 from New Jersey

Feb 12, 2023
Photo of RonaldTheriot
Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana

4.54/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Brawler has a very thick, beige head, a clear, copper appearance, and significant lacing. The aroma is of spiced brown bread crust. The flavor is similar, with low bitterness and sweetness. Brawler has a low-medium body and a crisp finish.

RJT
Feb 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.38 by Timmmmaaayyy from Pennsylvania

Jan 29, 2023
Photo of Taj_Mahal
Rated by Taj_Mahal from Italy

4.23/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Excellent ale. Dark and smooth, perfect for winter
Nov 17, 2022
Photo of Blogjackets
Reviewed by Blogjackets from Ohio

4.02/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a twelve ounce bottle, the body is an attractive amber-brown with good initial head and good lacing throughout the tasting.

Nose and flavor are a malty delight. A delicious easy drinking mild ale, especially when such beers are hard to find, is a treat. Caramel, bread, notes of chocolate and mild hop flavor. Good mouthfeel and strong carbonation.
Nov 13, 2022
Photo of daliandragon
Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

4.06/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This style has always been one of my favorites and you very rarely see it. A little too much carbonation but otherwise a comfortable, easy to drink dark ale with notes of coffee and dark chocolate and a velvety texture. Finishes clean. Definitely solid for sessioning if you were so inclined.
Sep 04, 2022
 
Rated: 4.16 by JoeDKSki

Jul 21, 2022
Photo of Coronaeus
Reviewed by Coronaeus from Canada (ON)

4.04/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a deep reddish light brown with moderate head that dissipates slowly leaving a thin off-white film across the top.

Earthy malty aroma. A little leather, a little floral hop peaking through.

Mild sweetness on the tongue. Gentle floral hops, a little peppery note as well. A hint of caramel. Very nice.

Medium bodied.

This is a great well-flavoured mild that really hits the spot. A very good beer.
Jun 04, 2022
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Draft at Philly Airport
Frothy creamy head, good lacing, crystal clear, auburn to ruby color

Nose toasted malt, biscuity, bit of chocolate, grainy

Taste more toasted malt, cereal, chocolate, biscuity, hint of toffee and fruit, rich malt, touch herbal hop, lighter bitterness

Mouth is med to a bit lighter bod, soft little creamy, med carb
Feb 18, 2022
Brawler Champion Ale from Yards Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 1217 ratings