One Down Brown
Pizza Port Solana Beach

A - Brownish beer that was transparent with a big off-white head that left a little stick on the side.

S - One of the few times I've actually wished something was a little sweeter smelling. Some mild roast, little carob, small amount of caramel.

T - I wish there was more happening here. Light caramel and chocolate and a little roast. There isn't really a ton going on with the taste.

M - Medium bodied, although I felt the carbonation level was just a bit high. Very dry.

O - I found myself wishing this was sweeter, which is unusual for me. Too dry and not enough taste, I'll pass next time.

On tap at Pizza Port Solana Beach. I didn't order the beer, the bartender poured a glass accidentally and rather than toss it he asked if I wanted it, sure! I guess he was hurting a little bit and I reaped the benefits of walking through the door right as the place opened. Anyhow, onto the review. Poured to a pint glass. The beer pours a translucent moderate brown color with a 1.5 tannish color head. Good retention and lacing throughout. The aroma is delicate, mix of toasted caramel malts along with a mild hoppy earthy character. The bartender said it was a hoppy brown, so I guess this makes sense. The flavor follows suit and is very mellow: Mild biscuit malts together with the roasted caramel. Mildly bitter. A fair amount of earthy hop flavor as well, though I wouldn't call this beer "hoppy". The beer finishes dry with a clean lingering caramel flavor, slightly bitter. Overall, Brown's aren't my favorite style but this wasn't too bad. It could have benefited from a bit more body as it was light. Pretty mild though so it would have rated very high in terms of drinkability.

 

On-tap at Three Floyds. Served in a pint glass.

A - A finger of creamy tan foam leaves behind a few splotches of lace. Transparent brown body with some ruby highlights.

S - Quite understated, with large amounts of roast and grain. A tiny hint of caramel perhaps. Very odd for the style.

T - Taste is pretty similar - burnt toast. Almost not sweetness to be found here - perhaps a tiny bit of nuttiness.

M - Zesty carbonation, medium-light body, and extremely dry.

D - Weird. Seems over-attenuated, as there's next to none of the characteristic brown ale sweetness. Perhaps this is more English in design, but I didn't get much fruity yeast character either. A very odd beer that wasn't particularly enjoyable.

Consumed Feb. 6th, 2010 at Pizza Port Solana Beach.

Very clear brew, the color of rich tea. Light tan head with beautiful lacing.

Aroma of tea again with a trace of caramel malt.

Tea flavor as well. Slight biscuity malt and a little bitter at the finish.

Dry, mostly clean finish with only slight lingering bitterness.

Odd and not something I'm in a hurry to have again, though the novelty was interesting.