Brown Cow Ale
Firehouse Brewing Co.

 

 

 

On tap into a pint glass at the brewpub

A: Not much head. Crystal clear deep brown color.

S: Very yeasty aroma. Like rising bread dough. Lightly sweet malt.

T: A little roasty with a tiny tinge of bitter and a distinct metallic flavor I've noticed in many of their brews. A little syrupy after a few sips.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation.

D: Drinkable in the sense that it is soft and unoffensive, but not really that good.

A; Dark brown with a roughly one finger tan head with mostly small bubbles. Pretty basic, though maybe too dark.

S: Smell is also basic, mostly caramel malt, but maybe some hop balance. Not hoppy, but leaning towards balanced.

T: Very similar to a Newcastle, I would say. Not the best descriptor, I know, but that's what it was. Newcastle with some extra hops.

M: Medium body, nothing special I guess, sort of what you might think of as generic brown ale. I guess it nails the style without being very impressive at all.

D: Very drinkable due to the mouthfeel and taste.

Written From Notes Compiled 6/04-8/04:
Medium brown in color, tiny white bubbly head. Smells slightly roasted, with hints of semi-sweet chocolate. Taste is rich and sweet enough for me to recommend it as a dessert beer. Flavor is pretty accesible and non-threatening, nutty and sweet. Body is a little too thin to match the rich flavor.

Firehouse's description is that "this light brown ale is brewed with a small amount of chocolate malt which gives the ale its rich dark color." Northwest hops provide aroma and bitterness. A rich brown color, with a minimal head with almost no lacing. Slight carbonation. Good aroma, with malt, a nice fruitiness produces a smooth beer. Hoppy initially (like many Firehouse offerings), you soon meld into a mocha-malt middle. The finish is slightly bitter, but leaves a pleasant aftertaste reminiscent of English stouts.

Clear, chestnut brown in color, forming a thin beige head with no retention or lacing. Medium carbonation. Aroma is very nice, with sweet malts, chocolate malt balls, a sweet fruitiness and smooth Willamette and Mt.Hood hops. Mouthfeel is bright, crisp and very clean with a medium-light body. Taste begins with bright herbal hops, chocolate malt, and a menagerie of warm and round malts. The clean finish has an earthy, moderately-strong bitterness with a suggestion of must and tart fruit. Good stuff!