Turtleback Brown Ale
Pisgah Brewing Co.
- From:
- Pisgah Brewing Co.
- North Carolina, United States
- Style:
- American Brown Ale
Ranked #96 - ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #16,573 - Avg:
- 3.99 | pDev: 7.52%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 8
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 29, 2025
- Added:
- Apr 07, 2019
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Named for the waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest, a hint of organic chocolate malt lends this classic brown ale a medium caramel infused body with a deep mahogany color. A malt forward presence showcases Pisgah's line of organic ingredients while leaving this beer remarkably drinkable.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by michaelcardino from Ohio
4.21/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Smooth. Malty, Very dark in color. Nice shiny top. Excellent after a cold-weather hike.
Dec 29, 2025
Reviewed by mikeg67 from New Jersey
3.94/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap. Pours brown with beige head. Medium slightly crisp body. Toasted, nutty malt, toffee, caramel, dark fruit, brown sugar and herbal hops fill the mouth. Long almost dry finish. Nice brew.
Dec 30, 2024
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
4.24/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz can
Pours a clear chestnut brown in color, thin layer of cream colored head that eventually fades. Nice toasted malt aroma, a bit of caramel. Similar flavor, flavor is moderately rich but not overly sweet. Medium bodied. Overall an enjoyable brown ale, need more of these
Jun 06, 2023Pours a clear chestnut brown in color, thin layer of cream colored head that eventually fades. Nice toasted malt aroma, a bit of caramel. Similar flavor, flavor is moderately rich but not overly sweet. Medium bodied. Overall an enjoyable brown ale, need more of these
Reviewed by Jd333 from South Carolina
3.91/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz. Can as part of a mixed sixpack bought at the local supermarket for my camping trip. This beer was by far the best pick of the six. I am a beer snob, so even when camping l bring a glass pint to drink my beer. In my horror, I dropped this can on the ground as I pulled it from the cooler. To make matters worse, the can was punctured by a stone and precious beer was being lost. I ran back to my campfire with my thumb covering the rupture and decanted into my glass. I was rewarded with an opaque dark brown poor with a good inch or so of off white head that hung around and left lots of lacing. Tasted of rich coffee and chocolate with a creamy mouth feel. Drinks like a stout. Good enough that I looked for this the next day in Marion, NC but without luck. I recommend it if you can find it.
May 06, 2023
Rated by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
3.67/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
An average American brown. Drinkable but nothing special.
May 04, 2023
Reviewed by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
4.21/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drinking this at The Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City on the beautiful Nantahala River.
Poured from a twelve ounce can into a pint glass.
Looks dark brown with a foamy tannish head that dropped quickly to a thin ring.
Smells malty, sweet, light hints of caramel and chocolate.
Taste follows the nose nicely.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
Overall a very nice example of the style that I would definitely order again.
Cheers!
Dec 10, 2021Poured from a twelve ounce can into a pint glass.
Looks dark brown with a foamy tannish head that dropped quickly to a thin ring.
Smells malty, sweet, light hints of caramel and chocolate.
Taste follows the nose nicely.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
Overall a very nice example of the style that I would definitely order again.
Cheers!
Rated by nick_perry from North Carolina
3.78/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Large head. Yeasty aromas. Biscuity flavor. Hints of chocolate. Hops come through more than most brown ales, I feel. Strong carbonation.
Nov 21, 2021
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Picked up a 12 oz single as part of a mixed sixer from Ingles Spartanburg store cooler 5-4-2021 for $10.98. Canned 1-19-21; consumed 5-7-21.
Beer poured classic brown with a decent head with the original pour.
Nose is toasted and light roasted malts with hints of chocolate.
Taste is really well done with a nice chocolate toasted malt base with a light roasted. Hopping is adequate to balance out the sweetness quite nicely.
Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and sort of smooth.
Overall i find this quite flavorful maybe because i have not had a brown ale in quite some time? Check it out as it is worthy!
May 07, 2021Beer poured classic brown with a decent head with the original pour.
Nose is toasted and light roasted malts with hints of chocolate.
Taste is really well done with a nice chocolate toasted malt base with a light roasted. Hopping is adequate to balance out the sweetness quite nicely.
Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and sort of smooth.
Overall i find this quite flavorful maybe because i have not had a brown ale in quite some time? Check it out as it is worthy!
Reviewed by patre_tim from Thailand
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Amber filtered with lovely carbonation, and 3 fingers of beige head.
Smells of dark chocolate and toffee, a bit of iron.
Medium body, slightly sticky with moderate carbonation.
Got this at Wholefoods in Asheville, drinking on the mountain with family near Canton, June 20, 2020.
Jun 21, 2020Smells of dark chocolate and toffee, a bit of iron.
Medium body, slightly sticky with moderate carbonation.
Got this at Wholefoods in Asheville, drinking on the mountain with family near Canton, June 20, 2020.
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