Boxcar Brown Ale
Intuition Ale Works

 

 

A-pretty normal for a brown. Good clarity with a finger or so of head

S-one of the most unexpected (in a good way) aromas I've found in a beer. I expected a sweeter caramel aroma, but instead got almost all nuts, mostly almonds, and kept bringing my nose back for more

T-this may be over-simplifying, but it tastes like it smells. It's very nutty and very dry; at the higher end of both for a brown, I would say

M-again extremely dry, but with some malt as it passes through to balance things out a little bit. The dry finish lingers, too

D-for a beer that tasted and smelled as unexpectedly good as this did, I wouldn't say it's extremely drinkable. The same dryness and nuttiness that makes it attractive makes it like eating a handful of nuts without water...not too anxious to go back for more right away, but definitely another time. This is a great little brewery, and everyone there is so excited to be up and running that I'd recommend it to anyone!

A - Pours with one finger of off-white foam that rests on top of a dark, amber brown body with perfectly clear, amber highlights. The foam settles slowly and leaves light lace.

S - Dark brown malt notes of toast, brown sugar, cocoa, and pecans. Very nice and surprisingly complex.

T - Dry, nutty caramel with some molasses and toffee. Grassy, herbal hops come out in the middle with more nutty malt and dark sugar flavors. The beer finishes with more of the same molasses and toffee flavors as well as a light roasted note of chicory and moderate bitterness to balance.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a very dry finish.

D - Very nice! The flavor is complex and well balanced and the aroma is even better. I am surprised that this beer comes across so well as I am generally not a fan of darker beers that are this dry, but this one avoids the common pitfall of excessive burnt toast character and is really quite drinkable. The highlight is certainly the aroma, with nutty, sugary, complex notes that even include a well placed touch of mild chocolate. This is the best beer that I have had from Intuition so far.