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Saint Botolph's Town
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- English Brown Ale
- ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.09 | pDev: 10.02%
- Reviews:
- 302
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 27, 2018
- Added:
- Feb 12, 2009
- Wants:
- 91
- Gots:
- 86
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
SBT is fermented with two yeast strains for a unique rustic finish. But it’s in the yeast strains where this beer really departs from the typical: one is a German ale strain, the other is a common English strain. Why? Because it’s about the flavour, not just ticking the “style” boxes.
In the end we have an ale of 5.9% abv with a big malty, almost smokey Black Malt character, a bitter attack from Fuggle hops, a rich barleymalt finish, some dried coconut hints and an old ale acidity around the edges. We’ve even timed its tan head, standing proud for ten minutes!
The name “Saint Botolph’s Town” is in tribute to our great home in America: Boston. The original Boston in Lincolnshire, England is an abbreviation of “Botolph’s Town” or “Botolph’s Stone”. When we were back in Yorkshire recently, we found a churchyard where St. Botolph spoke in the year 675; a ‘stump’ (broken old cross) marks the spot. Saint Botolph is a 7th century saint from England whose feast day is June 17th. Perhaps a great day to save a bottle or two for!
38 IBU
In the end we have an ale of 5.9% abv with a big malty, almost smokey Black Malt character, a bitter attack from Fuggle hops, a rich barleymalt finish, some dried coconut hints and an old ale acidity around the edges. We’ve even timed its tan head, standing proud for ten minutes!
The name “Saint Botolph’s Town” is in tribute to our great home in America: Boston. The original Boston in Lincolnshire, England is an abbreviation of “Botolph’s Town” or “Botolph’s Stone”. When we were back in Yorkshire recently, we found a churchyard where St. Botolph spoke in the year 675; a ‘stump’ (broken old cross) marks the spot. Saint Botolph is a 7th century saint from England whose feast day is June 17th. Perhaps a great day to save a bottle or two for!
38 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Ciocanelu from Romania
4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear dark brown color with creamy tan head. Aroma has caramelised dark fruits, brown sugar and sweet, dark malts. Taste starts sweet and sugary but not cloying. It balances out towards the finish with some roasted malt notes. Light to medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. Overall it’s a really tasty, well balanced brown ale.
Dec 27, 2018
Reviewed by tbryan5 from Louisiana
4.39/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A- A dark brown ruby with minimal off white head
S- Sweet milk chocolate and roasted malts.
T- Almost tastes like eating a fresh baked brownie.
M- Medium carbonation and pleasant mouthfeel.
D- A very nice almost flawless brown ale. Sad that they are closing their doors...
Jan 03, 2016S- Sweet milk chocolate and roasted malts.
T- Almost tastes like eating a fresh baked brownie.
M- Medium carbonation and pleasant mouthfeel.
D- A very nice almost flawless brown ale. Sad that they are closing their doors...
Reviewed by ManapuaMan from Massachusetts
4.18/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.18/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not a fan of brown ales until this beer. Outstanding. Whereas most beers garner praise for masking a high ABV, Saint B's gets a lot of kudos for tasting like a bigger beer and integrating a little heat to up the taste profile. Maroon, dark brown pour with a nice nutty, earthy aroma. Taste of nuts, wheat, earth, hops, wood and heavy malt. Thick, almost warm, mouthfeel that leaves a nice bittersweet coating on your palette. Shit, Pretty Things - won't you stay a while longer and let this gem hang out in a barrel for a few months and then take over the world with it?
Dec 05, 2015
Reviewed by rand from California
4.38/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From 22 oz bomber to Weihenstephan stein
A: Stained wood color; a small wispy head quickly dissipates leaving moderate lacing.
S: Subtle, malty nose. Notes of honeyed squaw bread, mixed dried grains.
T: Malt-forward on the palate, with a rich caramelly note that turns molasses-like midsip. Maple tones as well. Crackery but not yeasty, while a touch of bittering hops yields eminent drinkability. With a medium-to-light complexion and moderate carbonation, the brew finishes fairly quickly, leaving the palate dry and refreshed between sips.
What a great beer. I kept this at the back of my fridge for awhile, mostly because I've never clamoured over the style (I always think Newcastle).
Nov 19, 2015A: Stained wood color; a small wispy head quickly dissipates leaving moderate lacing.
S: Subtle, malty nose. Notes of honeyed squaw bread, mixed dried grains.
T: Malt-forward on the palate, with a rich caramelly note that turns molasses-like midsip. Maple tones as well. Crackery but not yeasty, while a touch of bittering hops yields eminent drinkability. With a medium-to-light complexion and moderate carbonation, the brew finishes fairly quickly, leaving the palate dry and refreshed between sips.
What a great beer. I kept this at the back of my fridge for awhile, mostly because I've never clamoured over the style (I always think Newcastle).
Reviewed by maputnam25 from California
4.5/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Solid beer. Aroma contains hints of fall leaves, oak bark, and burnt sugar. Think syrupy mouthfeel withs notes of chocolate, molasses, winter squash, oak. Slight astringency at the end. Currently on tap at Clover in Harvard Sq - will be returning for more!
Sep 30, 2015
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio
4.1/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Enjoyed from the 22 oz bomber in a snifter. This most excellent brown pours a muddy mahogany color with a mixed sized bubbled head of light tan foam that settles to a thick ring, pooling thin layer, and excellent lacing. Nose of brown sugars, nutty roasted malt aromas, and a touch of chocolate and coffee. Flavors far exceed the nose with rich nutty malts the front and sides lightly glazed with brown sugars. The middle to back has light coffee and chocolate flavors that fade to lightly creamy moderately roasted malt character that is pleasant for the style. An interpretation to be emulated with a great mouth feel and medium high carbonation finishing with slightly bitter malts and a touch of hops. Excellent.
Becoming more and more a fan of this brewery.
Cheers
Sep 22, 2015Becoming more and more a fan of this brewery.
Cheers
Reviewed by Benish from Utah
3.71/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark brown in color and translucent while pouring. An inch tannish head built which dissipated quickly. Aromas of malt and milk chocolate; very sweet, maybe a bit of honey. Taste wise - sweet with roasted malt character and a touch of vanilla. The flavors go away pretty quickly so you'll be ready for another sip before you put the glass down. The beer is medium-bodied and almost like drinking sweet nectar. It's tasty for a brown ale. I find it very sweet with roasted character. I have not tried many brown ales so there is not many to compare it to. But if it's ever distributed your way, pick it up.
Aug 23, 2015
Reviewed by stephens101 from Oklahoma
3.93/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Magnificent light tan froth that loses its vigor in good time. Wide swaths of lacing are left behind.
Malty with deep roast to the nose.
Creamy with a hefty dose of caramel up front. A hint of roasted nuts, a bit of grain, persimmon and taffy to end.
Slightly sweeter than I prefer, but a flavorful brown that is definitely hitting the spot.
Aug 08, 2015Malty with deep roast to the nose.
Creamy with a hefty dose of caramel up front. A hint of roasted nuts, a bit of grain, persimmon and taffy to end.
Slightly sweeter than I prefer, but a flavorful brown that is definitely hitting the spot.
Reviewed by Tone from Missouri
3.11/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
3.11/5 rDev -24%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Pours a clear, dark brown color. 1/2 inch head of an off-tan color. Decent retention and slight lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight caramel malt, slight roasted malt, slight yeast, and a hint of hop. Fits the style of an English Brown Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of burnt toast, slight roasted malt, strong caramel malt, sweet malt, hint of yeast, and a hint of hop. Overall, weak appearance, decent aroma, but almost acrid body and unpleasant blend.
Jun 19, 2015
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia
4.18/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bomber into a shaker pint, the beer is a nutty brown coloring with a foamy, clingy, light tan head that recedes down to a surface coating. Aromas of sweet milk chocolate, cream highlights, nutty sweetness, and subtle coffee notes. Flavors are roasted and sweet forward, with a solid blend of nut, chocolate, toffee, and an interesting underlying roast coffee bitterness. Good balance and dynamic in this one. There is a tangy crème overlay, which further adds to the depth in the palate. The body is smooth and creamy, but still light enough to keep the drinkability up. Very nice. The aftertaste is more of the roasted sweetness, with a decent toffee and nut linger through the smooth, slow, easy finish. Very good beer.
May 10, 2015
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
3.9/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown, with some clarity when held to the light. The head is thin, and the smell of of toasted nuts, brown malt, lightly roasted grain, and bread crust. The taste is slightly sweet, with a lot of the roasted notes coming through the flavor. Medium to full in body, balancing bitterness, and enjoyable.
May 02, 2015
Reviewed by barczar from Kentucky
3.85/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Toasted, nutty, caramelly sweet malt dominates the aroma, with perhaps a touch of soft floral hop character.
Flavor is sweet, as well, initially, fairly nutty, with big caramel accents. Mid palate, light roast malt kicks in, giving a coffee impression and a lightly acrid note to the moderately bitter, astringent finish. Body is pretty light, and phenolic notes surface late. There's a touch of fruity yeast character, but it's overwhelmed by the malt and bitter finish.
Apr 23, 2015Flavor is sweet, as well, initially, fairly nutty, with big caramel accents. Mid palate, light roast malt kicks in, giving a coffee impression and a lightly acrid note to the moderately bitter, astringent finish. Body is pretty light, and phenolic notes surface late. There's a touch of fruity yeast character, but it's overwhelmed by the malt and bitter finish.
Reviewed by cujocon from Massachusetts
3.39/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.39/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pretty Things St.Botolphs Town Rustic Brown
5.9% ABV
1Pt6oz bomber $6 at State St Northampton MA
Appearance: dark brown, gigantic foamy billowy light tan head stays strong long
Smell: dark fruit
Flavor: mild grain, bit of hop bitterness, not fruity or tart at all
Overall: 3.5/5 I could drink it, but it's pretty boring. The hops, even as small as they are is still too much for me.
Bland is the overall impression.
Apr 10, 20155.9% ABV
1Pt6oz bomber $6 at State St Northampton MA
Appearance: dark brown, gigantic foamy billowy light tan head stays strong long
Smell: dark fruit
Flavor: mild grain, bit of hop bitterness, not fruity or tart at all
Overall: 3.5/5 I could drink it, but it's pretty boring. The hops, even as small as they are is still too much for me.
Bland is the overall impression.
Saint Botolph's Town from Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
631 ratings
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