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Farmington River Brown Ale
Ipswich Ale Brewery
- From:
- Ipswich Ale Brewery
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- American Brown Ale
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 81
- Avg:
- 3.47 | pDev: 14.7%
- Reviews:
- 29
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 25, 2014
- Added:
- Jan 13, 2006
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JAHMUR:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by flyerzrule from California
2.8/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.8/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Ok head pouring into glass. Faint smell of chocolate. Very little taste although taste improved slightly as beer warmed. There were some chocolate and coffee flavors but overall, not great. This beer is a slight step above Newcastle, but probably not much else.
May 10, 2011Reviewed by birdyone from Maryland
3.34/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.34/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I cannot say much for the appearance, as I drank it straight from the bottle. (I know, shame) I was camping, and I apologize.
Smelled great! Not sure if that was because I was camping, and it just smelled better than me, or it just went really well with the camp fire.
It was highly enjoyable. But that's mostly compared to the cheap beer we drank most of the week camping.
Drinkability only suffers from price. Compared to everything else on the shelf at the grocery store it was high. But, drinking Farmington River beer, in a camp site where we could hear the "mighty" Farmington River, was awesome.
Nov 29, 2010Smelled great! Not sure if that was because I was camping, and it just smelled better than me, or it just went really well with the camp fire.
It was highly enjoyable. But that's mostly compared to the cheap beer we drank most of the week camping.
Drinkability only suffers from price. Compared to everything else on the shelf at the grocery store it was high. But, drinking Farmington River beer, in a camp site where we could hear the "mighty" Farmington River, was awesome.
Reviewed by PubliusII from Connecticut
2.64/5 rDev -23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
2.64/5 rDev -23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Appearance- Dark Brown Hue with a one-finger head. Poor head retention.
Smell- Sweet, malty smell. Nothing too powerful but it does give off scents of bread.
Taste- Taste of malt and nuts. The only reason I can tell there are hops in there is because of the bitterness of the beer. There are smaller, sugary tones that compliment this modest taste.
Mouth Feel- Moderate carbonation gives the bitter beer a bite as it slides over the tongue.
Drinkability- This ale does have a bitter, bready taste, complimented by roasted nuts. The sour bite it leaves behind is not that enjoyable. I would not go out of my way to buy this beer again.
Oct 21, 2010Smell- Sweet, malty smell. Nothing too powerful but it does give off scents of bread.
Taste- Taste of malt and nuts. The only reason I can tell there are hops in there is because of the bitterness of the beer. There are smaller, sugary tones that compliment this modest taste.
Mouth Feel- Moderate carbonation gives the bitter beer a bite as it slides over the tongue.
Drinkability- This ale does have a bitter, bready taste, complimented by roasted nuts. The sour bite it leaves behind is not that enjoyable. I would not go out of my way to buy this beer again.
Reviewed by jdense from Oregon
3.6/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.6/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz. bottle gifted by local brewmaster during recent visited poured into pint glass.
One finger very light tan head, medium-slow dissipation with some lacing retained. Amber body with some copper red highlights, significant number of trails of small carbonation bubbles rising up sides of glass. Nose is pretty malty, nutty, some chocolate with a bit balanced by floral hops a wee bit of citrus present. Interesting taste, fairly well balanced, mostly nutty, some chocolate in the middle with a bit of citrus, floral finish, not bitter.
Medium full mouthfeel, some effervescence but not much. Quite drinkable. Not the most distinctive tasting beer, but certainly well balanced, I'm sure this will taste quite good with my homemade pulled pork sandwich.
Sep 27, 2010One finger very light tan head, medium-slow dissipation with some lacing retained. Amber body with some copper red highlights, significant number of trails of small carbonation bubbles rising up sides of glass. Nose is pretty malty, nutty, some chocolate with a bit balanced by floral hops a wee bit of citrus present. Interesting taste, fairly well balanced, mostly nutty, some chocolate in the middle with a bit of citrus, floral finish, not bitter.
Medium full mouthfeel, some effervescence but not much. Quite drinkable. Not the most distinctive tasting beer, but certainly well balanced, I'm sure this will taste quite good with my homemade pulled pork sandwich.
Reviewed by errantnight from District of Columbia
3.33/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.33/5 rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Deep brown, slightly opaque with nice retention and lacing. Aroma is an appealing blend of milk chocolate and roasted malt.
Mid-palate hits some milk chocolate a bit of toasted pecan. When a bit colder the sweetness is pronounced. Finishes with a bit of grapefruit falling back into the chocolate. A bit of bitterness and aspirin. Carbonation hits prickly and spritely.
Fine, nothing exciting, would drink again. Wouldn't seek out.
May 28, 2010Mid-palate hits some milk chocolate a bit of toasted pecan. When a bit colder the sweetness is pronounced. Finishes with a bit of grapefruit falling back into the chocolate. A bit of bitterness and aspirin. Carbonation hits prickly and spritely.
Fine, nothing exciting, would drink again. Wouldn't seek out.
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York
3.13/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
3.13/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.
a - Pours a brown-amber color with one inch of white head and light carbonation.
s - Smells of roasted and caramel malts. Also smells a bit sour.
t - Tastes of caramel malts, roasted malts, and again, some sourness to it.
m - Medium body and light carbonation. Smooth.
d - Not that great of a brown ale. A nice feel to it but the sourness in the smell and taste hurts it a bit. Wouldn't look to have again.
May 04, 2010a - Pours a brown-amber color with one inch of white head and light carbonation.
s - Smells of roasted and caramel malts. Also smells a bit sour.
t - Tastes of caramel malts, roasted malts, and again, some sourness to it.
m - Medium body and light carbonation. Smooth.
d - Not that great of a brown ale. A nice feel to it but the sourness in the smell and taste hurts it a bit. Wouldn't look to have again.
Reviewed by erosier from Connecticut
3.72/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.72/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L: Pours a nice amber brown color with a medium sized light head that fades to a ring around the glass with some lacing down the sides.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, caramel, and a nice quick hop aroma at the end.
T: Tastes like it smells with a big roasted malt base followed by some caramel flavors at the end of it.
M: Smooth, refreshing, sweet, full bodied feeling, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Good drinkability, all the flavors blend well and make a nice overall beer.
Feb 05, 2010S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, caramel, and a nice quick hop aroma at the end.
T: Tastes like it smells with a big roasted malt base followed by some caramel flavors at the end of it.
M: Smooth, refreshing, sweet, full bodied feeling, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Good drinkability, all the flavors blend well and make a nice overall beer.
Reviewed by jdhilt from New Hampshire
3.38/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a three finger cream head that fades slowly, leaving some lace. Cloudy dark brown color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Slight malty nose. Flavor is nutty with hops in the background. Typical brown. $1.50 for a 12oz bottle from Manchester Wine and Liquors Manchester, CT.
Nov 18, 2009Reviewed by krisandajt from Pennsylvania
3.32/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.32/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had this one for a while, it's about time I reviewed it...
Appearance: Pours a slightly opaque light brown with a small bit of head (maybe a centimeter) that fades very quickly. Little to no lacing on the glass.
Smell: Nothing really stands out. Can pick up some malts, and some hints of chocolate, but that's about it.
Taste: Like the smell, nothing really stands out. Nice malty start with a slight chocolatey finish. Smooth throughout...not bad.
Mouthfeel: I was hoping it would be smoother, but the carbonation gives it some tingle on the tongue. Not bad, just not what I expected.
Drinkability: Overall, fairly drinkable. Nothing offensive, smooth tasting. Not my first choice for a brown ale, but not bad.
May 16, 2009Appearance: Pours a slightly opaque light brown with a small bit of head (maybe a centimeter) that fades very quickly. Little to no lacing on the glass.
Smell: Nothing really stands out. Can pick up some malts, and some hints of chocolate, but that's about it.
Taste: Like the smell, nothing really stands out. Nice malty start with a slight chocolatey finish. Smooth throughout...not bad.
Mouthfeel: I was hoping it would be smoother, but the carbonation gives it some tingle on the tongue. Not bad, just not what I expected.
Drinkability: Overall, fairly drinkable. Nothing offensive, smooth tasting. Not my first choice for a brown ale, but not bad.
Reviewed by MVotter from New York
3.79/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.79/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a nice tall pils glass ... down the center, gigantic, tan colored head rises to the top of the rim and settles back to a thin, loose head. Some thin lacing ... disappears within a few more minutes, with all of the head.
The beer color is a dark tea color. Clear. In fact, if I put this in a regular clear kitchen glass, with ice cubes in it, one could mistake it for some iced tea.
The smell at the bottle's opening is toast. After the pour, the smell from the glass is yeast.
The taste is bitter-malt and yeast flavors at the start, and actually finishes on the sweet side! It was an interesting, enjoyable transition on the palate.
The mouthfeel is not effervescent since I poured down the middle, to release some carbonation. It was pleasant, not too heavy, very drinkable.
Feb 25, 2009The beer color is a dark tea color. Clear. In fact, if I put this in a regular clear kitchen glass, with ice cubes in it, one could mistake it for some iced tea.
The smell at the bottle's opening is toast. After the pour, the smell from the glass is yeast.
The taste is bitter-malt and yeast flavors at the start, and actually finishes on the sweet side! It was an interesting, enjoyable transition on the palate.
The mouthfeel is not effervescent since I poured down the middle, to release some carbonation. It was pleasant, not too heavy, very drinkable.
Reviewed by WanderingFool from Massachusetts
3.56/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.56/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Farmington River Brown pours a clear, well, brown color into the glass with a frothy off white head on top. A flurry of tiny bubbles is seen floating up to the surface from the glass bottom. The foam fades down to a thin sheet on the beer covering the sides of the glass with lots of netted patterns of lace.
The aroma is malty with notes of toasted malt, nuts and chocolate.
Each sip of this medium bodied beer is smooth with a light fizz on the palate. The flavor is malty with notes of nuts, bread and a touch of chocolate. At the end is a mild hop bitterness that lingers on the palate when the beer is gone.
This is a decent middle of the road brown ale. Easy drinking and nothing offensive.
Feb 07, 2009The aroma is malty with notes of toasted malt, nuts and chocolate.
Each sip of this medium bodied beer is smooth with a light fizz on the palate. The flavor is malty with notes of nuts, bread and a touch of chocolate. At the end is a mild hop bitterness that lingers on the palate when the beer is gone.
This is a decent middle of the road brown ale. Easy drinking and nothing offensive.
Reviewed by fitzy84 from Massachusetts
3.41/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.41/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bought a sample pack of the Farmington River brand. The appearance to this drink was quite good: dark brown body with a huge, thick, frothy head and good lacing. Aromas were somewhat weak but allowed a great burnt, woody grains. The taste is pretty clean and crisp with a refreshing bitter, earthy taste. Hints of malts as well sensed. Overall, a good brown ale.
Jan 25, 2009
Farmington River Brown Ale from Ipswich Ale Brewery
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
37 ratings
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