Bear Down Brown Ale
Mickey Finn's Brewery

Served in a shaker pint glass at the brewpub.

I'm always up for a Bears-themed brew. This one pours a dark, semi-translucent ruby-tinted brown topped by a half-finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises watered-down maple syrup, brown sugar, lots o' chocolate, tobacco, walnuts, and oak. The taste tones down the chocolate, brown sugar, and tobacco, while the rest of the above-mentioned notes remain. In the end, the oak is replaced by more of a cedar quality. The body is a light medium, with a light carbonation and a slightly sticky feel. Overall, a nice brown, something I hope comes around again soon.

Served in a pint glass at Mickey Finn's in Libertyville

This beer pours a murky brown with a fast dying head. The aroma is a malt hop balance also there are prominent notes of both coffee and nutty goodness. The taste is much of the same that the aroma had but a bit watered-down when all is said and done. There is a light coffee flavor with hazelnuts for depth. There are some hop notes that sour and bitter more than they add to the taste. As I've said before the mouthfeel is waterier and flatter than I would like it to be. It is decently drinkable and there is nothing really unpleasant about it. Bear Down, Chicago Bears!