Big Brown
Pine Island Tap House

I had this on draught at the brewery. 10 oz. pour. It pours a dark cola color with a thin, ecru-colored head and lacing. It has a rich, and inviting, smell of black coffee, nuts, cocoa, and vanilla. The smell improved as the glass warmed. This is one delicious ale! The first thing I tasted was a sweet cola, followed by burnt coffee and rich cocoa. There is little hop presence although it finishes with a slight bitterness. This is one of the best Brown Ales I've tasted. It is moderately carbonated and has a creamy, fairly chewy, mouth feel. Its 10.2% ABV is hard to hide and it is definitely noticeable. This Ale is built for sipping. Overall, I can't say enough about this Brown Ale produced by a small brewery in rural Orange County. This beer alone justifies the craft brewing industry. It's a terrific achievement and I hope to visit Pine Island Brewing Company often.

This is an exceptional and very powerful unfiltered brown ale. It has very high alcohol content but is not overwhelmed by this and instead has a complex and very satisfying taste. I have never had a better brown ale and I grew up drinking Newcastle Brown Ale! This beer alone is worth a visit to Pine Island.

 

 

A: A very murky taupe. Almost a fig like purple gives it a little depth. Scant mocha cream head. Lots of legs.

S: Chocolate with lots of fig, caramel. Dark honey. Misty, a tad herbal as green mint shines through. Anise and other savory spices. Rotten, orchard lane apples. Smoked cherry wood, dates and stone fruit. Definitely some alcohol vapors.

M: Smooth feel and med-full body. Low carbonation enhances alcohol sensation.

T: Really follows nose. Figs, madrool dates, plums, smokey maple character. Tart and fresh mint. Spicy phenols and a kick off alcohol. Scant hops. Comes off a bit like an English barleywine.

 

1/2 growler filled at the Green Growler Grocery in Croton on Hudson NY

Pours dark brown and murky, minimal head, no film, next to no collar and just a thin strand or two of lace left on the glass.

Big nose of smoky maple, caramel, drk malty goodness

More of the same on the palate, maple and more maple. Plus caramel, I get some smokyness again. Yum Delicious stuff, richly flavorful.

Great with dessert and would be great in a meaty, smoky marinade or on your pancakes in the morning...I like rich, malty, brown ales and this one does not miss the mark.