Sally Brown
Birrificio Del Ducato
- From:
- Birrificio Del Ducato
- Italy
- Style:
- Irish Dry Stout
- ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 88
- Avg:
- 3.94 | pDev: 7.36%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 17
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 20, 2016
- Added:
- Apr 30, 2009
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Top fermented beer, a mix between Oatmeal Stouts and English Porters. Its character is defined by the 11 different types of malt aromas being used. Dark ebony, the nose is marked by roasted aromas recalling barley coffee, cacao beans and ash with a scent of caramel. It has a malty palate with creamy oats and hints of smoked flavor.
Although its recipe has dramatically changed with time, Sally Brown is the evolution of a type of Oatmeal Stout I used to homebrew. If A.F.O. is fully characterized by its hops, Sally Brown stands out for the use of 11 different types of malt including un-malted cereals such as oat flakes and roasted barley. Two years of investigation in the fascinating world of roasting resulted in the creation of a smooth, complex and balanced, drinkable beer. Its name comes from a Laurel Aitken’s song, one of Jamaica’s Ska forefathers, which was later covered by Bad Manners. In December of 2007, Bad Manner played a show in a venue close to Parma. I showed up during sound check to gift them a case of Sally Brown. They liked it so much they were drinking it on stage and while playing the song “Sally Brown” the lead singer said: “Sally Brown beer, the best!” .Those words filled me with incredible pride and satisfaction. That night was truly memorable.
Although its recipe has dramatically changed with time, Sally Brown is the evolution of a type of Oatmeal Stout I used to homebrew. If A.F.O. is fully characterized by its hops, Sally Brown stands out for the use of 11 different types of malt including un-malted cereals such as oat flakes and roasted barley. Two years of investigation in the fascinating world of roasting resulted in the creation of a smooth, complex and balanced, drinkable beer. Its name comes from a Laurel Aitken’s song, one of Jamaica’s Ska forefathers, which was later covered by Bad Manners. In December of 2007, Bad Manner played a show in a venue close to Parma. I showed up during sound check to gift them a case of Sally Brown. They liked it so much they were drinking it on stage and while playing the song “Sally Brown” the lead singer said: “Sally Brown beer, the best!” .Those words filled me with incredible pride and satisfaction. That night was truly memorable.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by CrazyDavros from Australia
3.87/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.87/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours black with a lasting off-white head.
Nose shows milk chocolate, vanilla, soft earthy coffee and gentle roasted malt.
Similar flavours, quite sweet and very gentle. Could use some extra roasted malt to balance out the sweet chocolate and vanilla notes.
Over-carbonated.
Oct 11, 2012Nose shows milk chocolate, vanilla, soft earthy coffee and gentle roasted malt.
Similar flavours, quite sweet and very gentle. Could use some extra roasted malt to balance out the sweet chocolate and vanilla notes.
Over-carbonated.
Reviewed by GONZALOYANNA from Spain
3.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Smart -champagne shaped- 330ml bottle.Oversized glass.Enjoyed several times since dec´11.Dark brown.Beige froth & close crown. Roasted malt, choco malt,dark fruit & cocoa hint aromas. Toasted malty upfront,chocolate notes.Velvet palate.Spicy in the middle,underneath bitterness.Full body, medium carbonation.Black cocoa on the aftertaste.
Mar 18, 2012
Reviewed by oline73 from Maryland
3.65/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.65/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I had this on-tap at Max's in Baltimore during the Italian beer weekend. Poured into a goblet.
Appearance: Pours almost black with a very little bit of tan head.
Smell: Dominated by the coffee. There is also a nutty component and some mildly sweet roast.
Taste: Quite roasty from the coffee and the malt, but not overly bitter. A bit nutty with a slightly bitter coffee finish.
Mouthfeel: The body is on the thin side with medium carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: I would have liked a slightly bolder flavor, but given the abv, they did quite a nice job with this one. The coffee flavor is nice and smooth.
Jul 21, 2011Appearance: Pours almost black with a very little bit of tan head.
Smell: Dominated by the coffee. There is also a nutty component and some mildly sweet roast.
Taste: Quite roasty from the coffee and the malt, but not overly bitter. A bit nutty with a slightly bitter coffee finish.
Mouthfeel: The body is on the thin side with medium carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: I would have liked a slightly bolder flavor, but given the abv, they did quite a nice job with this one. The coffee flavor is nice and smooth.
Reviewed by metter98 from New York
4.2/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.2/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: The beer is very dark amber (near black) in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a two finger high tan head that quickly died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: The smell becomes stronger as the beer warms up; there are moderate aromas of coffee beans and chocolate in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but is much more complex. There is a good balance between the flavors, coffee beans seem to stand out a bit more than those of brown sugar, cocoa, dark malts, lactose and nuts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and very smooth and creamy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The appearance of this beer is deceptive because it isn't as heavy bodied as you would expect, which makes this beer very easy to drink. It's almost like drinking a sessionable hybrid of a stout and porter.
May 15, 2011S: The smell becomes stronger as the beer warms up; there are moderate aromas of coffee beans and chocolate in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but is much more complex. There is a good balance between the flavors, coffee beans seem to stand out a bit more than those of brown sugar, cocoa, dark malts, lactose and nuts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and very smooth and creamy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The appearance of this beer is deceptive because it isn't as heavy bodied as you would expect, which makes this beer very easy to drink. It's almost like drinking a sessionable hybrid of a stout and porter.
Reviewed by Jdmpolk from Florida
4.18/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.18/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A- Dark mahogany with a fingers length of thick khaki head. Leave two fingers worth of lacing.
S- Aromas of cocoa, coffee, caramel, and maple syrup are discernible.
T- Very coffee like almost tastes like the aroma of grounds. Hint of malt medium bitterness.
M- Very light for such a dark beer. Almost feels refreshing to drink to the persistent carbonation. Has a slight drying effect, and tastes frothy/creamy like a cappuccino.
O- This was a very enjoyable beer to drink. The coffee flavor was dominant throughout and made you wonder where the coffee stopped and the beer began.
Apr 28, 2011S- Aromas of cocoa, coffee, caramel, and maple syrup are discernible.
T- Very coffee like almost tastes like the aroma of grounds. Hint of malt medium bitterness.
M- Very light for such a dark beer. Almost feels refreshing to drink to the persistent carbonation. Has a slight drying effect, and tastes frothy/creamy like a cappuccino.
O- This was a very enjoyable beer to drink. The coffee flavor was dominant throughout and made you wonder where the coffee stopped and the beer began.
Reviewed by AgentZero from Illinois
3.95/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.95/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Name is misleading, this beer looks much bigger and more ominous than the name would suggest. Opaque, black beer with nice retention on a tan head that left some stick on the sides.
S - The brown comes out a bit more in the nose with some brown sugar, but the primary aroma is coffee. It's actually quite pleasant.
T - Coffee and brown sugar. Think if a brown with coffee. Yes, I just repeated myself, but that's the gist of this beer. Not blowing my socks off, but it's fairly tasty.
M - Lighter bodied, dry finish.
O - Not what I was expecting from something called an Irish Dry Stout, and there is more flavor packed in there than you would expect at less than 5% ABV. A nice beer, Ducato does stuff worth trying in my experience.
Apr 09, 2011S - The brown comes out a bit more in the nose with some brown sugar, but the primary aroma is coffee. It's actually quite pleasant.
T - Coffee and brown sugar. Think if a brown with coffee. Yes, I just repeated myself, but that's the gist of this beer. Not blowing my socks off, but it's fairly tasty.
M - Lighter bodied, dry finish.
O - Not what I was expecting from something called an Irish Dry Stout, and there is more flavor packed in there than you would expect at less than 5% ABV. A nice beer, Ducato does stuff worth trying in my experience.
Reviewed by HiAIPA from Maine
4.1/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.1/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Served at the Lion's Pride. Pours a dark brown with minor head. Wafting aromas of coffee and roast, and the taste reminded me very much of Meantime Coffee Porter. This was extremely drinkable, with nice subtleties anf flavors that were distinct yet integrated well. Coffee, roast choco grain. Nicely done.
Feb 27, 2011
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