Bender | Surly Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Surly Brewing Company
Minnesota, United States
surlybrewing.com
Style: American Brown Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.10%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Here's what happens when substance meets smooth. This oatmeal brown ale defies traditional categories. Bender begins crisp and lightly hoppy, complemented by the velvety sleekness oats deliver. Belgian and British malts usher in cascades of cocoa, coffee, carmel and hints of vanilla and cream. An easy-drinking ale with many layers of satisfaction.
Added by tavernjef on 02-04-2006
Ratings: 1,967 | Reviews: 761
4.21/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.28/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.52/5 rDev +10%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.11/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark reddish brown with a finger of tan head that dissipates quickly. Smells malt-heavy, and I get a bit of toffee and caramel sweetness. Nothing super distinct, just a lot of malt. Taste is similar to the smell, with a touch of coffee as well. Mouthfeel is smooooooth and the carbonation lingers just a tiny bit, and it's not terribly heavy. The oatmeal really shines here.
The brown ale is one of my favorite styles, and Surly never disappoints. Very easy-drinking, and it makes a great base for the coffee variety as well.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark reddish brown with a finger of tan head that dissipates quickly. Smells malt-heavy, and I get a bit of toffee and caramel sweetness. Nothing super distinct, just a lot of malt. Taste is similar to the smell, with a touch of coffee as well. Mouthfeel is smooooooth and the carbonation lingers just a tiny bit, and it's not terribly heavy. The oatmeal really shines here.
The brown ale is one of my favorite styles, and Surly never disappoints. Very easy-drinking, and it makes a great base for the coffee variety as well.
535 characters
4.42/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
3.87/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.68/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.05/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I would give this a slightly higher score if it weren't for an ash-like flavor. Not quite a cigarette flavor (that would be worse) and not entirely off-putting, but not a beneficial flavor either. Still definitely a tasty and well-balanced beer.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I would give this a slightly higher score if it weren't for an ash-like flavor. Not quite a cigarette flavor (that would be worse) and not entirely off-putting, but not a beneficial flavor either. Still definitely a tasty and well-balanced beer.
245 characters
1.08/5 rDev -73.7%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
3.69/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.09/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hard to believe I haven't rated this one before, though I suppose that I drink this less often than most of Surly's other offerings often found on tap around the Twin Cities. This one is from a tallboy into a nonic. Pours a sienna slightly hazy brown, a good off-white head that leaves some decent lacing. Nose has some great bready malts, baker's chocolate, a little vanilla, and some herbal hops. The brown ale isn't really a favorite style of mine, but...for the style, this is a real winner, and the taste follows the nose, though there's some coffee and caramel as well. medium body, oats make it nice and smooth, really great mouthful.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hard to believe I haven't rated this one before, though I suppose that I drink this less often than most of Surly's other offerings often found on tap around the Twin Cities. This one is from a tallboy into a nonic. Pours a sienna slightly hazy brown, a good off-white head that leaves some decent lacing. Nose has some great bready malts, baker's chocolate, a little vanilla, and some herbal hops. The brown ale isn't really a favorite style of mine, but...for the style, this is a real winner, and the taste follows the nose, though there's some coffee and caramel as well. medium body, oats make it nice and smooth, really great mouthful.
647 characters
Bender from Surly Brewing Company
4.11
out of 5
based on 1,967 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours clear, dark reddish brown in color with 1/4 inch head. Taste is caramel with milk and baker's chocolate and a touch of . Medium light bodied, sweet, with low carbonation...Really liking this one the more it warms...Layers of complex flavors..Glad I picked up a full four...Really great for the style.
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