Nut Brown Ale
Climax Brewing Company
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- From:
- Climax Brewing Company
- New Jersey, United States
- Style:
- Brown Ale - English
- ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 83
- Avg:
- 3.65 | pDev: 18.9%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jan 09, 2019
- Added:
- Oct 07, 2002
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.16/5 rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
On tap at Outback in Springfield. Pours a deep, mahogany hue with minimal frothing. Faint aroma replete with hints of caramel and licorice. Similar overall flavor profile.
Jan 09, 2019
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by dsa7783 from New Jersey
On tap at Outback in Springfield. Pours a deep, mahogany hue with minimal frothing. Faint aroma replete with hints of caramel and licorice. Similar overall flavor profile.
Jan 09, 2019
4.34/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maugan-Ra from New Jersey
When fresh, on draft, this is in my opinion about as good an example of an English dark mild as you'll ever see in the US. But the low strength and high residual sugars mean it doesn't keep well. I mainly drink it at the brewery on draft.
May 17, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Maugan-Ra from New Jersey
When fresh, on draft, this is in my opinion about as good an example of an English dark mild as you'll ever see in the US. But the low strength and high residual sugars mean it doesn't keep well. I mainly drink it at the brewery on draft.
May 17, 2018
3.5 by hozersr from Pennsylvania on Jul 09, 2015
3.25 by djrn2 from New Jersey on Oct 22, 2014
3.5 by acurtis from New Jersey on Oct 17, 2014
1.5 by Mineo from New York on Apr 19, 2014
3.75 by Ieatlambfries from New Jersey on Apr 10, 2014
4 by OKCNittany from Oklahoma on Jan 12, 2014
3.75 by xungmound98 from New York on Nov 27, 2013
3.5 by tbeer40 from New Jersey on Sep 15, 2013
3.5 by Varkias41 from New Jersey on Aug 22, 2013
3.5 by petermethot from New Jersey on Jun 25, 2013
2.75 by trotnixon from Maine on Apr 23, 2013
3.75 by socon67 from New York on Mar 10, 2013
3.25 by brandoman63 from Illinois on Jan 28, 2013
3.75 by abcdefghijkyle from New Jersey on Dec 21, 2012
3.25 by jnardone235 from New Jersey on Sep 03, 2012
3 by ShemRahBoo from New Jersey on Jul 27, 2012
2.75 by WDJersey from Colorado on Jul 27, 2012
2 by RoryOMoore from New Jersey on May 25, 2012
1.41/5 rDev -61.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
by B967ierhunter177 from Pennsylvania
This beer pours a clear brown with an exceedingly thick head and lasting lace. It's aroma is plain, mainly yeasty malt. The flavor is toasty with nuts only in the finish. The mouthfeel is syrupy. Climax Nut Brown Ale is a one dimensional beer. Not recommended.
May 13, 2012
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
by B967ierhunter177 from Pennsylvania
This beer pours a clear brown with an exceedingly thick head and lasting lace. It's aroma is plain, mainly yeasty malt. The flavor is toasty with nuts only in the finish. The mouthfeel is syrupy. Climax Nut Brown Ale is a one dimensional beer. Not recommended.
May 13, 2012
2.75 by Njstoutlover23 from New Jersey on May 04, 2012
3 by muskiesman from New Jersey on Feb 04, 2012
3.5 by Vylo from New Jersey on Jan 29, 2012
4 by bonbini26 from New Jersey on Jan 11, 2012
3.5 by Chugs13 from New Jersey on Dec 10, 2011
4/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by tobelerone from New Jersey
Semi-opaque, reddish brown beer with a fluffy off-white head. Retention is excellent, lacing is creamy and sticky.
Lightly nutty aroma with bready malt predominant. The flavor is quite nice; bready and biscuity malt, touches of toasted nuts, and mild, faintly bitter hops. Very traditional and tasty; not a big beer by any standard and sometimes that's a good thing.
Good carbonation and a crisp mouthfeel, nutty and just the tiniest bit metallic in the finish. Definitely a good example of the style.
Nov 19, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by tobelerone from New Jersey
Semi-opaque, reddish brown beer with a fluffy off-white head. Retention is excellent, lacing is creamy and sticky.
Lightly nutty aroma with bready malt predominant. The flavor is quite nice; bready and biscuity malt, touches of toasted nuts, and mild, faintly bitter hops. Very traditional and tasty; not a big beer by any standard and sometimes that's a good thing.
Good carbonation and a crisp mouthfeel, nutty and just the tiniest bit metallic in the finish. Definitely a good example of the style.
Nov 19, 2011
3.92/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by metter98 from New York
Cask at d.b.a., Brooklyn, NY
A: The beer is clear dark brownish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a thin beige ring of bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass.
S: There are slightly sweet aromas of caramel and nuts in the nose.
T: The taste is nutty with notes of caramel. It also has a bit of sweetness with notes of chocolate.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and slightly smooth on the palate with not much perceptible carbonation.
O: The beer is easy to drink and quite sessionable. It would make a good accompaniment to a burger.
Nov 06, 2011
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by metter98 from New York
Cask at d.b.a., Brooklyn, NY
A: The beer is clear dark brownish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a thin beige ring of bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass.
S: There are slightly sweet aromas of caramel and nuts in the nose.
T: The taste is nutty with notes of caramel. It also has a bit of sweetness with notes of chocolate.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and slightly smooth on the palate with not much perceptible carbonation.
O: The beer is easy to drink and quite sessionable. It would make a good accompaniment to a burger.
Nov 06, 2011
4.03/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by IronLover from Pennsylvania
Dark brown to black in color. poured with a huge off white head that very slowly reduced and left thick, foamy sheets on the glass. Earthy toasted malt, sweet chocolate aromas with a hint of nuts. On the thicker side of medium bodied with rich carbonation that provides a smooth feel and a crisp finish. Toasted and chocolate malt flavors up front that lead to a floral hop bittterness in the middle. Toasted malt and floral hops introduce light roasted coffee flavors at the finish. Finishes crisp and dry with a lingering bitter coffe-like aftertaste.
Oct 25, 2011
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by IronLover from Pennsylvania
Dark brown to black in color. poured with a huge off white head that very slowly reduced and left thick, foamy sheets on the glass. Earthy toasted malt, sweet chocolate aromas with a hint of nuts. On the thicker side of medium bodied with rich carbonation that provides a smooth feel and a crisp finish. Toasted and chocolate malt flavors up front that lead to a floral hop bittterness in the middle. Toasted malt and floral hops introduce light roasted coffee flavors at the finish. Finishes crisp and dry with a lingering bitter coffe-like aftertaste.
Oct 25, 2011
3.41/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Samp01 from New Jersey
12 oz bottle. Pours a clear reddish brown with a large tan head with good lacing. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, some sweet nutty aroma and light fruity tones. Taste is sweet toasted caramel malt, some hazelnut, cacao with some hops. Palate is medium to full body, with a creamy, thick and kind of sticky mouth feel. Finish is sweet caramel malts a bit of cacao flavor with some nice hazelnut and ending with a nice nutty aftertaste with some nice hops balance. Overall a nice brew.
Oct 15, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Samp01 from New Jersey
12 oz bottle. Pours a clear reddish brown with a large tan head with good lacing. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, some sweet nutty aroma and light fruity tones. Taste is sweet toasted caramel malt, some hazelnut, cacao with some hops. Palate is medium to full body, with a creamy, thick and kind of sticky mouth feel. Finish is sweet caramel malts a bit of cacao flavor with some nice hazelnut and ending with a nice nutty aftertaste with some nice hops balance. Overall a nice brew.
Oct 15, 2011
4.4/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by ATPete from New Jersey
12oz bottle, bottled... today.
A transparent amber/brown color, very attractive. Sweet nutty malts in the nose. Malty goodness in the mouth with perfect balance, notes of chocolate linger on the palate long after the quaff. Malt all the way, you can taste the quality here. The tell tale Climax body is in effect and full of flavor, amazing drinkability. This is it for brown ales in my opinion.
Aug 13, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by ATPete from New Jersey
12oz bottle, bottled... today.
A transparent amber/brown color, very attractive. Sweet nutty malts in the nose. Malty goodness in the mouth with perfect balance, notes of chocolate linger on the palate long after the quaff. Malt all the way, you can taste the quality here. The tell tale Climax body is in effect and full of flavor, amazing drinkability. This is it for brown ales in my opinion.
Aug 13, 2011
3.5/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by BeerdedEric from New Jersey
Prepackaged growler shared with a friend.
Light khaki foamy head. I'm dark room so the body color is a dark crimson. Not much lacing on the glass.
I get some grain, dark fruits like grapes. Not a bad aroma.
Dark fruits right away, salty, tangy, roasted malts, it has sour flavor but tasty. Slight bitter citrus at the end.
Carbonation is on the light side. A dry feeling but doesn't leave the mouth actually dry. Feels okay.
Not a bad beer, I've had better from Climax Brewing. Interesting taste, kind of expected a more of a nutty taste than a fruity taste.
Jul 27, 2011
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by BeerdedEric from New Jersey
Prepackaged growler shared with a friend.
Light khaki foamy head. I'm dark room so the body color is a dark crimson. Not much lacing on the glass.
I get some grain, dark fruits like grapes. Not a bad aroma.
Dark fruits right away, salty, tangy, roasted malts, it has sour flavor but tasty. Slight bitter citrus at the end.
Carbonation is on the light side. A dry feeling but doesn't leave the mouth actually dry. Feels okay.
Not a bad beer, I've had better from Climax Brewing. Interesting taste, kind of expected a more of a nutty taste than a fruity taste.
Jul 27, 2011
3.88/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by drtth from Pennsylvania
Served in a standard shaker pint glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.
Appearance: As served, the beer has a brown color with reddish highlights and has a ½” light tan or off white head that begins to recede soon leaving no lacing sticking to the glass. Sipping for the early part of the beer leaves some modest lacing that slides back down to the liquid. By about mid-way through the beer the head has disappeared completely and there isn’t even a ring of bubbles around the glass.
Smell: The aromas include toasted and nutty caramel malt with hints of chocolate, coffee and lightly spicy hops.
Taste: The flavors include some lightly sweet caramel malt to provide a definite initial sweetness that blends nicely with the nutty flavor and a tobacco-like earthiness.
Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied with reasonable but moderate carbonation. The finish is medium in length and begins with the nutty, tobacco like character and ends with a gentle, lightly spiced bitterness.
Drinkability and Overall Impression: This was drinkable enough that I could easily have a second, in fact I did. This is a subtle, nicely balanced beer with an interesting mix of flavors that I quite enjoyed. My overall impression is of a well made nut brown ale that could stimulate me to much more frequent exploration of this style.
Jul 14, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by drtth from Pennsylvania
Served in a standard shaker pint glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.
Appearance: As served, the beer has a brown color with reddish highlights and has a ½” light tan or off white head that begins to recede soon leaving no lacing sticking to the glass. Sipping for the early part of the beer leaves some modest lacing that slides back down to the liquid. By about mid-way through the beer the head has disappeared completely and there isn’t even a ring of bubbles around the glass.
Smell: The aromas include toasted and nutty caramel malt with hints of chocolate, coffee and lightly spicy hops.
Taste: The flavors include some lightly sweet caramel malt to provide a definite initial sweetness that blends nicely with the nutty flavor and a tobacco-like earthiness.
Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is medium bodied with reasonable but moderate carbonation. The finish is medium in length and begins with the nutty, tobacco like character and ends with a gentle, lightly spiced bitterness.
Drinkability and Overall Impression: This was drinkable enough that I could easily have a second, in fact I did. This is a subtle, nicely balanced beer with an interesting mix of flavors that I quite enjoyed. My overall impression is of a well made nut brown ale that could stimulate me to much more frequent exploration of this style.
Jul 14, 2011
3.58/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by woodychandler from Pennsylvania
Transcribed from notes dtd Sa, 30 Oct 2010.
The head was nonexistent other than a ring of bubbles hugging the edge of the glass. Color was a cocoa-brown with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a mild caramel sweetness. Mouthfeel was silky smooth and Alex Hall was saying that there was zero carbonation when he initially tapped it. The taste was malty with a slight nuttiness on the tongue. Finish was mild, slightly sweet and a pleasant way to spend part of the afternoon with my beer compadres.
Jun 14, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by woodychandler from Pennsylvania
Transcribed from notes dtd Sa, 30 Oct 2010.
The head was nonexistent other than a ring of bubbles hugging the edge of the glass. Color was a cocoa-brown with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a mild caramel sweetness. Mouthfeel was silky smooth and Alex Hall was saying that there was zero carbonation when he initially tapped it. The taste was malty with a slight nuttiness on the tongue. Finish was mild, slightly sweet and a pleasant way to spend part of the afternoon with my beer compadres.
Jun 14, 2011
3.53/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by OWSLEY069 from Pennsylvania
Pours a deep amber to brown-ish color with an off white head. In the aroma, sweet nuttiness, and a hint of caramel. In the taste, nutty and a small sticky caramel like flavor. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry, sticky caramel and dry nuttiness in the aftertaste. Sticky sweet and a nice dryness, not too shabby for an English brown ale.
Jun 11, 2011
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by OWSLEY069 from Pennsylvania
Pours a deep amber to brown-ish color with an off white head. In the aroma, sweet nuttiness, and a hint of caramel. In the taste, nutty and a small sticky caramel like flavor. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry, sticky caramel and dry nuttiness in the aftertaste. Sticky sweet and a nice dryness, not too shabby for an English brown ale.
Jun 11, 2011
3.38/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by Wegomlegging from Virginia
Nothing like a big jug 'o beer to make daddy happy. Was your average appearing nut brown ale, a little darker than some of the generic examples. Head wasn't all that great, took some effort to get it out. Not a fan of the aromas here, not unappealing but not particulary good either. Taste was where it counted, and that was pretty good. Nice nutty brown-ness, if I can say such a thing. These styles are hard to pull off without being wimpy or too harsh, and I'd say Climax did it well. Glad they didn't take the easy way out and dry hop the bejeebus out of it like so many others. Slight sweetness, and that "micro-brew flavor" that I know so many beer drinkers are familiar with...that "I just had a few pints at that micro-brewery" flavor that we all know and love. Mouthfeel...well, it's beer. Overall I'd like to have a few of these again (pints, not sure I can down a few growlers) so give it a shot...a nice break from the garden variety hop soda (insert catchy name here).
May 06, 2011
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by Wegomlegging from Virginia
Nothing like a big jug 'o beer to make daddy happy. Was your average appearing nut brown ale, a little darker than some of the generic examples. Head wasn't all that great, took some effort to get it out. Not a fan of the aromas here, not unappealing but not particulary good either. Taste was where it counted, and that was pretty good. Nice nutty brown-ness, if I can say such a thing. These styles are hard to pull off without being wimpy or too harsh, and I'd say Climax did it well. Glad they didn't take the easy way out and dry hop the bejeebus out of it like so many others. Slight sweetness, and that "micro-brew flavor" that I know so many beer drinkers are familiar with...that "I just had a few pints at that micro-brewery" flavor that we all know and love. Mouthfeel...well, it's beer. Overall I'd like to have a few of these again (pints, not sure I can down a few growlers) so give it a shot...a nice break from the garden variety hop soda (insert catchy name here).
May 06, 2011
3.98/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
On tap at The Office. Deep mahogany color. Aroma of caramel, dark fruits, with hints of molasses and nuts. Medium crisp body. Flavor of dark fruits, nuts with hints of coffee and chocolate. Finish is medium lasting and balanced between chocolate malt bitterness and fruity, caramel sweetness. One of my favorite browns. Once finished a growler by myself.
Dec 07, 2010
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by mikeg67 from New Jersey
On tap at The Office. Deep mahogany color. Aroma of caramel, dark fruits, with hints of molasses and nuts. Medium crisp body. Flavor of dark fruits, nuts with hints of coffee and chocolate. Finish is medium lasting and balanced between chocolate malt bitterness and fruity, caramel sweetness. One of my favorite browns. Once finished a growler by myself.
Dec 07, 2010
1.83/5 rDev -49.9%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
by dmfrench from Indiana
A thin, foul smelling but barely passable tasting Nut Brown
___
A: Translucent deep tea brown body with a sad looking but somewhat persistent frothy iced tea head. A hard pour was needed to obtain half a finger.
S: Rotting spicy prune and a hint of generic nuttiness... odiferous in both senses of the word.
T: Light acidic/piney hop profile and a putrid sweetness with just a touch of lightly roasted caramel malt underneath. Uninspiring. Tastes best if you can avoid smelling it during the sip.
M: Extremely thin, almost tea like body with just a bit of grainy texture to hold on to.
D: Easy to chug (if that's your thing), but each whiff and feel grates on you more and more until you're ready to give up, which I did about halfway through.
Nov 30, 2010
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
by dmfrench from Indiana
A thin, foul smelling but barely passable tasting Nut Brown
___
A: Translucent deep tea brown body with a sad looking but somewhat persistent frothy iced tea head. A hard pour was needed to obtain half a finger.
S: Rotting spicy prune and a hint of generic nuttiness... odiferous in both senses of the word.
T: Light acidic/piney hop profile and a putrid sweetness with just a touch of lightly roasted caramel malt underneath. Uninspiring. Tastes best if you can avoid smelling it during the sip.
M: Extremely thin, almost tea like body with just a bit of grainy texture to hold on to.
D: Easy to chug (if that's your thing), but each whiff and feel grates on you more and more until you're ready to give up, which I did about halfway through.
Nov 30, 2010
3.88/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Hopfenpeter from Maryland
From a growler into a crystal mug, this beer certainly has a rather cloudy brown appearance with a beige head building, giving a nice lacing rather quick. Not unattractive, rather inviting
The smell does hint fruits with a bitterness of hops.
Tasting the beer it adds many flavors like coffee, chocolate , apple
and at the end a expected bittersweet hop.
The feel is a little flat, almost watered down, but it really does not take away from the beer.
I like it very much , it is very drinkable and simple. I am glad I tasted it.
Oct 17, 2010
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Hopfenpeter from Maryland
From a growler into a crystal mug, this beer certainly has a rather cloudy brown appearance with a beige head building, giving a nice lacing rather quick. Not unattractive, rather inviting
The smell does hint fruits with a bitterness of hops.
Tasting the beer it adds many flavors like coffee, chocolate , apple
and at the end a expected bittersweet hop.
The feel is a little flat, almost watered down, but it really does not take away from the beer.
I like it very much , it is very drinkable and simple. I am glad I tasted it.
Oct 17, 2010
3.91/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(re-review - 12 oz bottle serving - from 22 Dec 2012)
Nice to see Climax has seemingly abandoned the disastrous growlers. This 12 oz offering pours with generous creamy foam atop a crystal-clear, chestnut brown liquor. Soapy-floral hops (and yeast phenols?) are quite potent on the nose, with an undercurrent of chocolate malt and caramel that slowly emerges as well as some roasted peanut shell. Chocolate and graham cracker malt flavors are immediately apparent, blending fairly well with some fruity, almost bubblegum esters and a generous portion of floral-citrus hoppiness that threatens to nearly scrub out the malt foundation with its vibrancy and pleasingly brief bitterness. Getting some of that peanut shell thing in the aftertaste as well. It drinks quite dry, dropping off quick with not much residual flavor or palate sensation. Easy to knock back a few.
This is closer to what I remember having on draft years ago. It would drink like a pretty nice English brown if it wasn't for the higher, American-style degree of hopping. Kind of curious how it would taste with them toned down. Once again, glad to see Climax has the bottling line up and running.
(original review - from 11 Oct 2010 - 3.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.0, 3.0 - 3.23 total score)
I had this on tap awhile back and thought it was pretty darn good. I don't know, however, about getting this, or any of their beers, actually, in the growler. A couple of the growlers previously (of various style) were spoiled and this one seemed on the verge - or maybe it's just a characteristic of their brews, as I've had their ESB out of the growler and it's damn good.
Anyway, where I'm taking notice on quality is the kalamata olive / vinegar notes present front and center in the nose and taste. Off-putting, yes, but not ruinous. Further down you go in the growler and this seems to fade, leaving some of the subtle chocolatey, roasty elements to come to the fore. Nice, light-medium dry bitterness on the tongue. Faint caramel notes at the end. Head pours alright, small, but it doesn't hold up long. Mellow carbonation, body borders on thin. We find a little sediment at the bottom - appears to be powdered grain maybe.
Really, what the olive thing might be a combination of is the hops and malts used against the mineral content or treatment of the water. It's actually a strange quality that threads throughout all their beers I've had to this point. Works for some, detracts from the rest.
On tap, this is a different animal. Hard to know how fresh the growler version really is.
Oct 11, 2010
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
(re-review - 12 oz bottle serving - from 22 Dec 2012)
Nice to see Climax has seemingly abandoned the disastrous growlers. This 12 oz offering pours with generous creamy foam atop a crystal-clear, chestnut brown liquor. Soapy-floral hops (and yeast phenols?) are quite potent on the nose, with an undercurrent of chocolate malt and caramel that slowly emerges as well as some roasted peanut shell. Chocolate and graham cracker malt flavors are immediately apparent, blending fairly well with some fruity, almost bubblegum esters and a generous portion of floral-citrus hoppiness that threatens to nearly scrub out the malt foundation with its vibrancy and pleasingly brief bitterness. Getting some of that peanut shell thing in the aftertaste as well. It drinks quite dry, dropping off quick with not much residual flavor or palate sensation. Easy to knock back a few.
This is closer to what I remember having on draft years ago. It would drink like a pretty nice English brown if it wasn't for the higher, American-style degree of hopping. Kind of curious how it would taste with them toned down. Once again, glad to see Climax has the bottling line up and running.
(original review - from 11 Oct 2010 - 3.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.0, 3.0 - 3.23 total score)
I had this on tap awhile back and thought it was pretty darn good. I don't know, however, about getting this, or any of their beers, actually, in the growler. A couple of the growlers previously (of various style) were spoiled and this one seemed on the verge - or maybe it's just a characteristic of their brews, as I've had their ESB out of the growler and it's damn good.
Anyway, where I'm taking notice on quality is the kalamata olive / vinegar notes present front and center in the nose and taste. Off-putting, yes, but not ruinous. Further down you go in the growler and this seems to fade, leaving some of the subtle chocolatey, roasty elements to come to the fore. Nice, light-medium dry bitterness on the tongue. Faint caramel notes at the end. Head pours alright, small, but it doesn't hold up long. Mellow carbonation, body borders on thin. We find a little sediment at the bottom - appears to be powdered grain maybe.
Really, what the olive thing might be a combination of is the hops and malts used against the mineral content or treatment of the water. It's actually a strange quality that threads throughout all their beers I've had to this point. Works for some, detracts from the rest.
On tap, this is a different animal. Hard to know how fresh the growler version really is.
Oct 11, 2010
Nut Brown Ale from Climax Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
62 ratings