Festivus 2017 - Chestnut Brown Ale
Town Hall Brewery

a really solid beer on its own, unique as holiday beer goes, but even better on cask with almonds, which is how i most enjoyed this one at the brewery. we have been seeing more and more beers that actually have nuts in them this year, a trend i really like, but so often its an overdone hazelnut or some peanut extract for a grossly over flavored adjunct stout, something more subtle like this, with the chestnuts, and also with the almonds, is really uncommon and really awesome. the chestnuts are sort of earthy and vegetal, starchy and giving body to the medium spectrum brown ale, which is a quite simple beer on its own, but is enhanced and enriched by the nuts. the almonds add some sweetness that really gels with the chocolate malt, and the english yeast gets a sort of baked chestnut character out a little more, this would feel thin and overly simple without them. smooth to drink, dry for what it is, and something with pint after pint appeal, which is really rare in a winter or holiday brew. festive in a fun new way, i loved the almond cask edition! always a treat to drink beer here!

Brown in color. White head. On tap at the station.

Light to medium bodied. Nutty with light milk chocolate. Caramel and spice. Vanilla with a little brown sugar. A very nice holiday ale.