Maduro Brown Ale | Cigar City Brewing
Brewed by:
Cigar City Brewing
Florida, United States
cigarcitybrewing.com
Style: English Brown Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Formerly Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale
Pours brown in color with notes of caramel, toffee, chocolate and hints of espresso. Flavor has caramel/toffee sweetness is upfront with intermingling notes of chocolate and espresso with a roasted peanut expression in the finish.
25 IBU
Added by ClockworkOrange on 02-04-2009
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 2,932 | Reviews: 794
Reviews by Vetbidder:
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good looking brown ale with a slight red tinge and a tan dissipating head from can. Lots of dark chocolate almost unsweetened on the nose of this brew. Good flavor translation with the chocolate and slight roasted coffee also with a touch of bitterness on the end. Thinner than you would think with less carbonation which is quite fitting for the style. My wife (a brown ale fan) agrees that this is a pretty decent brew here.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good looking brown ale with a slight red tinge and a tan dissipating head from can. Lots of dark chocolate almost unsweetened on the nose of this brew. Good flavor translation with the chocolate and slight roasted coffee also with a touch of bitterness on the end. Thinner than you would think with less carbonation which is quite fitting for the style. My wife (a brown ale fan) agrees that this is a pretty decent brew here.
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More User Reviews:
3.35/5 rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Solid coffee tasting beer from a kick-ass brewery. I'm not personally a coffee drinker and I don't always like beers that have this kind of profile, but this isn't too strong. It's deep brown, but the smell and the taste don't overpower.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Solid coffee tasting beer from a kick-ass brewery. I'm not personally a coffee drinker and I don't always like beers that have this kind of profile, but this isn't too strong. It's deep brown, but the smell and the taste don't overpower.
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4.43/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Maduro seems to have a lot to live up to, and if it's appearance is any indication of how good it is, we're off to a great start. The clean and deep espresso brown body flaunts shimmers of crimson and hazelnut, and wears a proud crown of lightly tanned foam. Once settled, it forms into a crescent moon over half the surface, with mounds scattered across. Sadly, it doesn't leave one spec on the side of my glass.
As advertised, notes of coffee and toffee emerge through the liquid below. More importantly for me, a wonderful element of toasted unspecified nuts, and light traces of chocolate are first and foremost. It finishes with light bursts of vanilla, and hints of an iron/metallic aroma.
One sip, and I'm convinced. This is delicious. Again dominated by roasted nuts. Walnut more specifically this time, but salted and drizzled with caramel and chocolate then toasted in the oven. Only the faintest hint of that metallic aroma comes through in the flavor, but seems more to me as if it's taken form of peanut skins, and a light roast coffee is present from beginning to end.
Smooth and creamy doesn't often describe a brown ale, but it does for Maduro. Balanced, perhaps a tad sweet but plays well off the roasted character. A decent amount of medium carbonation helps both it's creamy start and bubbly and slightly dry finish.
Maduro is one of the finest brown ales I have ever had, and I'll stand by that claim. Bold, complex, and delicious enough to savor, yet I know I wouldn't have a hard time killing off quite a few in one outing. Wonderful brew. Cheers.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Maduro seems to have a lot to live up to, and if it's appearance is any indication of how good it is, we're off to a great start. The clean and deep espresso brown body flaunts shimmers of crimson and hazelnut, and wears a proud crown of lightly tanned foam. Once settled, it forms into a crescent moon over half the surface, with mounds scattered across. Sadly, it doesn't leave one spec on the side of my glass.
As advertised, notes of coffee and toffee emerge through the liquid below. More importantly for me, a wonderful element of toasted unspecified nuts, and light traces of chocolate are first and foremost. It finishes with light bursts of vanilla, and hints of an iron/metallic aroma.
One sip, and I'm convinced. This is delicious. Again dominated by roasted nuts. Walnut more specifically this time, but salted and drizzled with caramel and chocolate then toasted in the oven. Only the faintest hint of that metallic aroma comes through in the flavor, but seems more to me as if it's taken form of peanut skins, and a light roast coffee is present from beginning to end.
Smooth and creamy doesn't often describe a brown ale, but it does for Maduro. Balanced, perhaps a tad sweet but plays well off the roasted character. A decent amount of medium carbonation helps both it's creamy start and bubbly and slightly dry finish.
Maduro is one of the finest brown ales I have ever had, and I'll stand by that claim. Bold, complex, and delicious enough to savor, yet I know I wouldn't have a hard time killing off quite a few in one outing. Wonderful brew. Cheers.
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3.9/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz can into a pint glass
bottle on 12-10-13
A: Dark brown, opaque, 2 fingers width of light tan head, pretty good retention, but leaves effectively no lacing.
S: Dark roasted malts, heavy cream, char, chocolate malt.
T: Follows the nose with cream and roasted malt. A good amount of bakers chocolate, some herbaceous notes, and mild bitterness. Tasty.
M/D: Medium body, carbonation on the heavy side but appropriate, drinkability is good.
O: Not my favorite style, but quite an enjoyable beer. Certainly worth a try.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz can into a pint glass
bottle on 12-10-13
A: Dark brown, opaque, 2 fingers width of light tan head, pretty good retention, but leaves effectively no lacing.
S: Dark roasted malts, heavy cream, char, chocolate malt.
T: Follows the nose with cream and roasted malt. A good amount of bakers chocolate, some herbaceous notes, and mild bitterness. Tasty.
M/D: Medium body, carbonation on the heavy side but appropriate, drinkability is good.
O: Not my favorite style, but quite an enjoyable beer. Certainly worth a try.
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3.59/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The bottom of the can reads: Canned 03/04/16
Appearance: It pours brown but appears completely black in the glass. Even when held to the light it is completely opaque. The head is short and has a medium yellow tint. Not much head retention or lacing.
Aroma: There is a light coffee aroma to the beer with a distinct roasted scent. It does remind me a bit of a cigar aroma.
Taste: There is a light toffee flavor that blends with a bit of coffee. It is slightly nutty. There isn't any aftertaste to the beer. It has a nice starting flavor and then it just goes away quickly leaving nothing on the palate.
Mouthfeel: The beer doesn't linger on the palate at all. The beer just doesn't deliver the flavor very well. The mouthfeel is light and the beer is very drinkable but it could use some actual presence.
Overall: It's the usual "okay but I probably wouldn't buy it again" experience. On the positive side it is very drinkable and I doubt you will find anyone who will have a problem with the beer being too heavy or too strong in any particular flavors. It's just an all around safe beer to bring to a party or a gathering. It's not typically something I would keep around though. It just doesn't have a very pronounced flavor and at just over three weeks in the can I would have expected more flavor.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The bottom of the can reads: Canned 03/04/16
Appearance: It pours brown but appears completely black in the glass. Even when held to the light it is completely opaque. The head is short and has a medium yellow tint. Not much head retention or lacing.
Aroma: There is a light coffee aroma to the beer with a distinct roasted scent. It does remind me a bit of a cigar aroma.
Taste: There is a light toffee flavor that blends with a bit of coffee. It is slightly nutty. There isn't any aftertaste to the beer. It has a nice starting flavor and then it just goes away quickly leaving nothing on the palate.
Mouthfeel: The beer doesn't linger on the palate at all. The beer just doesn't deliver the flavor very well. The mouthfeel is light and the beer is very drinkable but it could use some actual presence.
Overall: It's the usual "okay but I probably wouldn't buy it again" experience. On the positive side it is very drinkable and I doubt you will find anyone who will have a problem with the beer being too heavy or too strong in any particular flavors. It's just an all around safe beer to bring to a party or a gathering. It's not typically something I would keep around though. It just doesn't have a very pronounced flavor and at just over three weeks in the can I would have expected more flavor.
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3.75/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
During my vacation trip to Florida, I was very eager to get my hands on some Cigar City beers, as we only get a few in VA.
12 oz can poured into a cylinder glass.
Dark brown color, nice head on the beer.
Nice hints of chocolate and espresso, flavors I commonly find in porters and stouts.
This is an outstanding brown ale.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
During my vacation trip to Florida, I was very eager to get my hands on some Cigar City beers, as we only get a few in VA.
12 oz can poured into a cylinder glass.
Dark brown color, nice head on the beer.
Nice hints of chocolate and espresso, flavors I commonly find in porters and stouts.
This is an outstanding brown ale.
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4.25/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep mahogany brown with amber hue,a thick creamy nitro dispensed light beige head atop.Deep roasted coffee,roasted nuts,and chocolate in the nose,to me this delivers when it comes to the chocolate and coffee where alot of browns say they will but don't.The nitro pours gave it a silky smooth fuller feel.Coffee and brown sugar upfront on the palate then some chocolate in the finish but never gets too sweet.Just a fantastic brown,maybe the best I have had.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep mahogany brown with amber hue,a thick creamy nitro dispensed light beige head atop.Deep roasted coffee,roasted nuts,and chocolate in the nose,to me this delivers when it comes to the chocolate and coffee where alot of browns say they will but don't.The nitro pours gave it a silky smooth fuller feel.Coffee and brown sugar upfront on the palate then some chocolate in the finish but never gets too sweet.Just a fantastic brown,maybe the best I have had.
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3.67/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Had this from a can poured into your standard draft pint.
A: creamy white 3/4 inch head on top of a cola like brown in color
S: smokey, oatmeal with tangy hops in the nose, with some sugar like malt, very nice.
T: sweet oatmeal malt, with a nice mild hop bite (25 IBU) and some hints of oak and smoked barrel flavors.
M: creamy but not heavy, smooth, but quits easy on you
d: easy to drink, while @ 5.5% ABV its on the higher end of ABV's for the style.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Had this from a can poured into your standard draft pint.
A: creamy white 3/4 inch head on top of a cola like brown in color
S: smokey, oatmeal with tangy hops in the nose, with some sugar like malt, very nice.
T: sweet oatmeal malt, with a nice mild hop bite (25 IBU) and some hints of oak and smoked barrel flavors.
M: creamy but not heavy, smooth, but quits easy on you
d: easy to drink, while @ 5.5% ABV its on the higher end of ABV's for the style.
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3.5/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.32/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a very dark brown beer that pours a large tan head of compact bubble. The head settles to about half a finger of foam with a long retention and it leaves some lacing on the glass.
A dark fruity aroma of figs is very strong at first that quickly goes away and progresses to the primary aromas of toffee and coffee notes with mild bit of chocolate as well. There is a bit of phenolic aroma that lingers in the background that is a pleasant mix of pepper and tabacco notes.
There is a moderate hop bitterness with a mild malt sweetness that combine in a balanced finish. Flavors of coffee, roasted grains and toffee are prominent. There is a a mild tabacco flavor and very mild pepper note in there along with a slight fruitiness.
It has a medium body with moderately light carbonation and little slickness on the the palate.
This is a unusual beer with lots of flavor and complexity. I can't think of a better beer to enjoy nice cigar because the flavors would compliment each other so well.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a very dark brown beer that pours a large tan head of compact bubble. The head settles to about half a finger of foam with a long retention and it leaves some lacing on the glass.
A dark fruity aroma of figs is very strong at first that quickly goes away and progresses to the primary aromas of toffee and coffee notes with mild bit of chocolate as well. There is a bit of phenolic aroma that lingers in the background that is a pleasant mix of pepper and tabacco notes.
There is a moderate hop bitterness with a mild malt sweetness that combine in a balanced finish. Flavors of coffee, roasted grains and toffee are prominent. There is a a mild tabacco flavor and very mild pepper note in there along with a slight fruitiness.
It has a medium body with moderately light carbonation and little slickness on the the palate.
This is a unusual beer with lots of flavor and complexity. I can't think of a better beer to enjoy nice cigar because the flavors would compliment each other so well.
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4.4/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 32oz CCB growler. Thanks again to Mike 2.
Mahogany color, about as dark brown as it can get away with, and a creamy, light brown head.
The nose has a little roasted nuttiness and mocha. It has kind of a rocky road vibe. Very nice. Rich.
The taste is of nutty dark chocolate, almond, subtle roast, just enough to be a nuance and not the main event. As it warms caramel and earthy hops interact. The finish isn't sweet, but has sort of a nutty mocha cheesecake fade. It's hearty, rich, and probably the most satisying brown ale I've had in my four years or so of beer exploration. Well done. A brown ale to drink or contemplate. Would try it again in a heartbeat.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 32oz CCB growler. Thanks again to Mike 2.
Mahogany color, about as dark brown as it can get away with, and a creamy, light brown head.
The nose has a little roasted nuttiness and mocha. It has kind of a rocky road vibe. Very nice. Rich.
The taste is of nutty dark chocolate, almond, subtle roast, just enough to be a nuance and not the main event. As it warms caramel and earthy hops interact. The finish isn't sweet, but has sort of a nutty mocha cheesecake fade. It's hearty, rich, and probably the most satisying brown ale I've had in my four years or so of beer exploration. Well done. A brown ale to drink or contemplate. Would try it again in a heartbeat.
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3.97/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. botle poured into a 3 Floyds tulip shaped pint glass
It pours a cola colored brown with a 2 fingered bubbly tan head. Retention is medium with no lacing and a small layer of bubbles after everything settles down.
A medium roast of coffee is present in the nose, some back end sweetness. The nose is very inviting but the roast level is boarding on over the top for a brown ale.
The taste follows through with the coffee but not with as force. I'm getting just a little bit of oxidized malt character too which knocks it down a notch. A touch of bitterness balances the malt perfectly. A really nice brown ale.
Mouthfeel is medium with some slickness from the oats. Carbonation is medium low. Drinkability is decent but the fullness prevents it from being higher. Overall a great coffee forward brown ale.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. botle poured into a 3 Floyds tulip shaped pint glass
It pours a cola colored brown with a 2 fingered bubbly tan head. Retention is medium with no lacing and a small layer of bubbles after everything settles down.
A medium roast of coffee is present in the nose, some back end sweetness. The nose is very inviting but the roast level is boarding on over the top for a brown ale.
The taste follows through with the coffee but not with as force. I'm getting just a little bit of oxidized malt character too which knocks it down a notch. A touch of bitterness balances the malt perfectly. A really nice brown ale.
Mouthfeel is medium with some slickness from the oats. Carbonation is medium low. Drinkability is decent but the fullness prevents it from being higher. Overall a great coffee forward brown ale.
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4.02/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Enjoyed the Cigar City Maduro while visiting The Porch in Key West. So perhaps the atmosphere contributes to my posite rating, but nevertheless its a great beer.
Appearance: slightly cloudy the color of weak diner coffee.
Smell: a little chocolate, a little coffee but not a whole lot of fragrance.
Taste: amazing. Makes up for all that is lacking in color and smell.
Mouthful: light, not a lot of after taste.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Enjoyed the Cigar City Maduro while visiting The Porch in Key West. So perhaps the atmosphere contributes to my posite rating, but nevertheless its a great beer.
Appearance: slightly cloudy the color of weak diner coffee.
Smell: a little chocolate, a little coffee but not a whole lot of fragrance.
Taste: amazing. Makes up for all that is lacking in color and smell.
Mouthful: light, not a lot of after taste.
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Maduro Brown Ale from Cigar City Brewing
Beer rating:
3.93 out of
5 with
2,932 ratings
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