Experimental Series: Big Brown Ale
West Sixth Brewing Company

Happy to latch onto any Central Kentucky sentimental story, the West Sixth Brewing Company remember the legendary thoroughbred, Big Brown in a beer of his namesake. Bold, robust and strong in demeanor, the beer seems to capture the attitude of the horse to a tee.

Medium brown and shadowed with a dainty tan cap, the dark ale swoons the nose with a malty collection of toast, chocolate, nuttiness and light coffee. Its taste follows a similar malty suit with robust flavors of caramel, toffee, toast and pecan.

As the ale commands the middle palate, it sheds much of its malty sweetness and the uniqueness of hoppy American hops seeps in. Dried citrus peels seem of the bright, tangy and radiant character of pink grapefruit, orange and a zest of lemon. Gradually, the ale develops into a bitter, woodsy and grassy late palate with the dryness of hay looming.

Medium bodied but trending resinous, toasty and mildly spicy with a tinge of gin, the ale seems lighter, more drinkable and surprisingly refreshing for an ale of such robust stature. A medium long linger of toasted pinecones and toasted citrus outlasts any malt character for a firm hop tilt in the end.