Sumatra Mountain Brown
Founders Brewing Company

Sumatra Mountain BrownSumatra Mountain Brown
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From:
Founders Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Brown Ale
Ranked #5
ABV:
9%
Score:
95
Ranked #1,505
Avg:
4.28 | pDev: 7.24%
Reviews:
442
Ratings:
1,780
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 08, 2024
Added:
Dec 19, 2010
Wants:
  130
Gots:
  469
This bold, imperial brown ale gets its body from a team of malts including Caramel malt for sweetness, flaked barley for dense foam, a bit of Chocolate malt for its deep color and Aromatic and Munich malts to add even more depth. German and Perle hops add a touch of bitterness to balance the malty sweetness. The addition of rich Sumatra coffee takes this perfectly balanced imperial brown ale to a decadent level.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by liamt07:
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Rated by liamt07 from Canada (ON)

3.9/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aug 27, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.09 by 2beerdogs from California

Feb 08, 2024
Photo of Roy_Hobbs
Reviewed by Roy_Hobbs from Connecticut

3.56/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottled 3/31/17.

Medium reddish brown coming out of the bottle settling into a very dark brown in the glass. Not bad looking, but also doesn't stand out in any way.

Aroma is highlighted by plenty of malts with a heavy does of caramel. Alcohol is evident, while finding the coffee after 6.5 years takes closer inspection.

The coffee is more distinct on the tongue, yet without the roast that I usually associate with it. It's clear that this is a brown ale, but with more alcohol than normal. Thinner than I was anticipating.

Overall, still solid. Doesn't light the world on fire, but zero complaints either.
Nov 04, 2023
Photo of Brenden
Reviewed by Brenden from Ohio

4.56/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: A medium-dark brown with some clarity and brilliant ruby hues in the light, it grows a light tan head up to a finger or two with moderate retention and lacing
S; Roasted coffee over some chocolate undertones with a distinct nuttiness; sweetness leads to earthy hops notes and just a whiff of heat into a bit of almost smoky malts
T: Sweetness of chocolate and brown sugar, toasty breads balancing, allows for just a kiss of hops to come through while altogether allowing the coffee to shine; lots of roast, no real bitterness to speak of, and a beautiful nutty note allow for exceptional balance. A phenomenal coffee beer and brown ale in all its aspects. A sweet but clean finish even as roasty flavor pull all the way through.
F: Medium body with good carbonation that keeps from being overdone, it flows smoothly all the way
Jun 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.23 by mdaschaf from Indiana

Jun 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.23 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Oct 31, 2022
Photo of Whyteboar
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
bottled 12/4/2017 - enjoyed 4/7/2022
Had this in the cellar and was going to send it out but thought I'd better make sure it was still okay. Why I didn't rate it 5 years ago, don't know. I did not need to worry. It was still very, very good.
Poured cola dark, definitely more brown than red or black and had a light brown head, albeit briefly. (Hey, after 5 years, that's pretty good for a brown!)
The aroma was malty and maybe had coffee. My nose is damaged so specifics are difficult.
The taste though. Yum. Malts forcefully drive this train, coffee plays along almost seamlessly. Any hop bite that may have been present years ago is gone. Just deep malts swirled and steeped in coffee.
The feel, well, for a brown a little viscous, but for a BA brown, spot on, not sure if it's better or worse than 5 years ago.
OA, Whenever I drink one of Founders BA browns, I wonder why it's not done more often by other brewers. Dang these are good.
Apr 07, 2022
 
Rated: 4.31 by Taenim from Maine

Mar 02, 2022
 
Rated: 4.31 by bismarksays from Iowa

Jan 10, 2022
 
Rated: 3.8 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Nov 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by meltroha from Ohio

Jun 13, 2021
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
355 ml bottle, from Systembolaget, shared by my son Steinar. Dark brown colour, small beige head. Aroma of cold coffee and brown malts. Distinct flavour of sharpish coffee and slightly dry malts. Not really a favourite of mine.
Apr 17, 2021
 
Rated: 3.9 by goleeoh from Michigan

Mar 08, 2021
Photo of mothman
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota

4/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 4/16

Tan head with some lace. Dark caramel brown color.

Reminds me of kbs without the barrels. The chocolate and coffee are almost identical. A bit lighter bodied. The coffee is great even after so many years. Solid brown ale.
Feb 28, 2021
 
Rated: 4.33 by Sinister from New York

Feb 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by Keananmichael5 from California

Dec 27, 2020
 
Rated: 4.55 by AshBlackstone from Florida

Dec 18, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by Chemteach63 from Indiana

Nov 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.42 by Cubatobaco from Virginia

Jul 21, 2020
Photo of Argail
Reviewed by Argail from Louisiana

4.29/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From frige 12 oz. bottle (bottled on 4/27/17 date on the bottle, 9% ABV and 40 IBUs also on the bottle ) to the tulip. Look - dark brown strong pour. Big tan head (had to slow down). Smell - sweet coffee boozy. Taste - coffee cookies chocolate rye bread. Feel - smooth weak bourbon! Good beer try to find it now, I know some small remote liquor stores still have this (all depends on where they kept this beer - shelves or fridge).
Apr 28, 2020
Sumatra Mountain Brown from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 1780 ratings