Maple Brown
Capitol City Brewing Company

After watching the bartender pour off copious amounts of foam, the pint glass arrives filled with a deep amber, copper and mahogany highlighted beer. Topped with a modest sand colored head of fine small bubbles with decent staying power. It eventually dissipated about halfway through and left thick bands of lacing. The smell is sweet and rich malt with caramel and maple, and some light roast notes. It is inviting. The taste is initially lush with sweetness and caramel. The maple is underneath it all and lends a nice subtle flavor. The hops are restrained and only arrive in the tail end of the finish, and provide just enough bitter to offset the sweetness. The sweetness became a bit more pronounced as it warmed, but never became cloying. The maple flavor is nice and suggestive and does not dominate the overall profile. Full-bodied and smooth, the carbonation is gentle. An overly enjoyable beer and drinkable. Nicely done.