Brown Ale
Legend Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Brown Ale - English
Ranked #27 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 86
Ranked #24,604 - Avg:
- 3.83 | pDev: 12.53%
- Reviews:
- 166
- Ratings:
- From:
- Legend Brewing Co.
- Virginia, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 21
- Gots
- 102
SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
Notes:
Our most popular beer, Legend's is a full bodied version of a British Brown Ale. Expect a rich, malt-forward brew with a beautiful mahogany tone. Generous amounts of specialty malts bring flavors of sweet caramel, toasted nuts, coffee, and molasses, all perfectly balanced by a steady but cautious hop dryness. Fruity undertones provided by our house yeast strain bring the final flavor element to round out this world class ale.
Reviews: 166
| Ratings: 507
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Reviews by thebeers:
thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.89/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Rudy brown with a finger of dense, off-white head and heavy lacing. Pleasant nutty malt aroma. Coffee, nutty malt and modest hop bitterness in the taste. Medium bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel cut by strong carbonation. Decent.
Mar 25, 2016
3.89/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Rudy brown with a finger of dense, off-white head and heavy lacing. Pleasant nutty malt aroma. Coffee, nutty malt and modest hop bitterness in the taste. Medium bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel cut by strong carbonation. Decent.
Mar 25, 2016
More User Reviews:
oldn00b from Virginia
4.35/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This beer holds a special place in my heart as one of my first true "local" craft loves. 10+ years ago before the boom started in earnest in VA, Legend was one of the true leaders and this was/is their best brew.
Everything you want from a brown ale here - color is on point, head forms fast and recedes but very nice. Lots of caramel flavor and earth tones come through in the flavor. Finish is bitter but not overly so. It's a clean beer and one I still enjoy very much, especially in the fall.
Aug 04, 2015
4.35/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This beer holds a special place in my heart as one of my first true "local" craft loves. 10+ years ago before the boom started in earnest in VA, Legend was one of the true leaders and this was/is their best brew.
Everything you want from a brown ale here - color is on point, head forms fast and recedes but very nice. Lots of caramel flavor and earth tones come through in the flavor. Finish is bitter but not overly so. It's a clean beer and one I still enjoy very much, especially in the fall.
Aug 04, 2015
brentk56 from North Carolina
3.88/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a tea brown color capped by an inch of foam; decent retention and a few shards of lace
Smell: Caramel, nuts and chocolate powder with a hint of fruit
Taste: Nutty caramel, up front, with a chocolate malt character developing by mid-palate; the fruit flavors build, after the swallow, rounding out the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Not a very exciting style, but this beer makes the most of it
Apr 10, 2012
3.88/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a tea brown color capped by an inch of foam; decent retention and a few shards of lace
Smell: Caramel, nuts and chocolate powder with a hint of fruit
Taste: Nutty caramel, up front, with a chocolate malt character developing by mid-palate; the fruit flavors build, after the swallow, rounding out the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Overall: Not a very exciting style, but this beer makes the most of it
Apr 10, 2012
DrJay from Texas
3.4/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear, deep brown with a reddish hue topped by a thin beige cap. Good head retention, some lacing. Not much other than grapefruit citrus in the aroma, perhaps a bit of malt and brown sugar. Moderate bitterness, citrus dominates the flavour, fainter notes of dark malts, nuts, and brown sugar. Medium/light bodied with moderate carbonation, a bit dry. Decent overall, particularly if you like a lot of citrus in your brown ales.
Jan 03, 2014
3.4/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear, deep brown with a reddish hue topped by a thin beige cap. Good head retention, some lacing. Not much other than grapefruit citrus in the aroma, perhaps a bit of malt and brown sugar. Moderate bitterness, citrus dominates the flavour, fainter notes of dark malts, nuts, and brown sugar. Medium/light bodied with moderate carbonation, a bit dry. Decent overall, particularly if you like a lot of citrus in your brown ales.
Jan 03, 2014
connecticutpoet from Connecticut
4.09/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance – Four finger head on a clear ruby red body.
Aroma – Rich malt and brown bread, slightly boozy.
Taste – Strong malt and brown bread, molasses, slightly sweet.
Mouthfeel – Somewhat thick for a brown ale, but this one was 6 years old.
Overall – Very good, almost seemed like a barrel-aged beer.
Jun 12, 2018
4.09/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance – Four finger head on a clear ruby red body.
Aroma – Rich malt and brown bread, slightly boozy.
Taste – Strong malt and brown bread, molasses, slightly sweet.
Mouthfeel – Somewhat thick for a brown ale, but this one was 6 years old.
Overall – Very good, almost seemed like a barrel-aged beer.
Jun 12, 2018
danadeny from Colorado
4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
pours a clear earthy brown body and a slightly brownish head. the smell is nice and malty, bready with some caramel and molases, a little toasty-ness. nice and smoth, balanced overall flavor. the front is mildly sweet, hint of alcohol. not as much maltyness as i would have expected. just a hint of a hop kick at the end, but still within balance of the rest of the flavors. the most interesting flavor is the hint of burnt toast in the after tase. Mouth feel is chewy, frothy, slick. and drinkability is pretty good, this could be a session beer.
Mar 28, 2009
4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
pours a clear earthy brown body and a slightly brownish head. the smell is nice and malty, bready with some caramel and molases, a little toasty-ness. nice and smoth, balanced overall flavor. the front is mildly sweet, hint of alcohol. not as much maltyness as i would have expected. just a hint of a hop kick at the end, but still within balance of the rest of the flavors. the most interesting flavor is the hint of burnt toast in the after tase. Mouth feel is chewy, frothy, slick. and drinkability is pretty good, this could be a session beer.
Mar 28, 2009
FenwaySquid from Florida
4.35/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Presentation: 1 pt 6 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Amber in color, beer poured with a generous head that retained at first, then gradually faded into a lace.
Aroma: Rather malty.
Taste: Sweet; also a little nutty. A hint of caramel malt perhaps. I never did detect any hops in the taste, but here I think that's a good thing.
Overall: This is an excellent beer.
Feb 10, 2005
4.35/5 rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Presentation: 1 pt 6 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Amber in color, beer poured with a generous head that retained at first, then gradually faded into a lace.
Aroma: Rather malty.
Taste: Sweet; also a little nutty. A hint of caramel malt perhaps. I never did detect any hops in the taste, but here I think that's a good thing.
Overall: This is an excellent beer.
Feb 10, 2005
zymurgy4all from New York
3.92/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Nice micro brew brown ale. Highly recommend if passing through Richmond. It has a flavorful malt bill along with some decent hop and yeast flavors. My pour had little head, but some lacing on the glass. Nothing sticks out with this beer--it is just a good beer with good flavor overall. Complex malt nutiness is present that makes it somewhat unique. Very drinkable beer.
Mar 29, 2007
3.92/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Nice micro brew brown ale. Highly recommend if passing through Richmond. It has a flavorful malt bill along with some decent hop and yeast flavors. My pour had little head, but some lacing on the glass. Nothing sticks out with this beer--it is just a good beer with good flavor overall. Complex malt nutiness is present that makes it somewhat unique. Very drinkable beer.
Mar 29, 2007
pentathlete from Virginia
2.7/5 rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
This beer was a dissapointment for me. Ordered it with a sandwich. In the low lighting it appeared a true brown color with no head or lacing on the pint glass. Smell was barely perceptible with some maltiness showing up. Taste starts out like a typical brown ale then the aftertaste ruins it for me. In an effort to be bitter it merely comes across annoying like a kid trying to get a attention by acting up rather than just saying "excuse me." I found the aftertaste distracting and it discounted any hope I had for this beer. Mouthfeel was about right, not quite full, but coating the palate up front. I left about a third of this in the glass.
Apr 09, 2005
2.7/5 rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
This beer was a dissapointment for me. Ordered it with a sandwich. In the low lighting it appeared a true brown color with no head or lacing on the pint glass. Smell was barely perceptible with some maltiness showing up. Taste starts out like a typical brown ale then the aftertaste ruins it for me. In an effort to be bitter it merely comes across annoying like a kid trying to get a attention by acting up rather than just saying "excuse me." I found the aftertaste distracting and it discounted any hope I had for this beer. Mouthfeel was about right, not quite full, but coating the palate up front. I left about a third of this in the glass.
Apr 09, 2005
mmmbeer from Massachusetts
3.87/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz. bomber with no freshness date. It pours a reddish chestnut color with a dense 2 finger off-white head that looks very nice, reducing to a half inch and leaving some lacing on the glass. There is a lot of diacetyl on the nose, mainly butter and caramel, along with some perfumy hops and maybe some nuts. It has a medium body that is tingly and it tastes like leafy hops, diacetyl, some malt in the background, and a distict bitterness that is not quite controlled by the malts, though it tastes low in IBUs. Overall a pretty drinkable brown, but the body wasn't thick enough and it wasn't too complex. However it did pair well with some Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.
Jan 31, 2006
3.87/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz. bomber with no freshness date. It pours a reddish chestnut color with a dense 2 finger off-white head that looks very nice, reducing to a half inch and leaving some lacing on the glass. There is a lot of diacetyl on the nose, mainly butter and caramel, along with some perfumy hops and maybe some nuts. It has a medium body that is tingly and it tastes like leafy hops, diacetyl, some malt in the background, and a distict bitterness that is not quite controlled by the malts, though it tastes low in IBUs. Overall a pretty drinkable brown, but the body wasn't thick enough and it wasn't too complex. However it did pair well with some Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.
Jan 31, 2006
plaid75 from New York
4.03/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at the Williamsburgh International Airport, Va.
Poured a deep amber hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was very good retention and sticky lacing.
The smell featured an earthy caramel malt and a grassy hop.
The taste consisted of sweet and earthy malts, cocoa and a balancing grassy hop.
The mouthfeel was full and creamy.
Overall a tasty and well done brown ale.
May 05, 2010
4.03/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at the Williamsburgh International Airport, Va.
Poured a deep amber hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was very good retention and sticky lacing.
The smell featured an earthy caramel malt and a grassy hop.
The taste consisted of sweet and earthy malts, cocoa and a balancing grassy hop.
The mouthfeel was full and creamy.
Overall a tasty and well done brown ale.
May 05, 2010
blackie from Oregon
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
a: dark brown in color with a well-retained head and nice lacing
s: a muted version of the taste, hard to pick up on too much but it carries a nice toasted maltiness and earthy hop aroma
m: carbonation a little on the low side for my taste, medium body
t: smooth toasted caramel malts dominate and give a moderate sweetness, great earthy hop character with a bitterness that builds in the finish with subtle notes of dry chocolate
d: easy
standard pint at Taphouse on Queensway, Hampton, VA
Aug 20, 2008
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
a: dark brown in color with a well-retained head and nice lacing
s: a muted version of the taste, hard to pick up on too much but it carries a nice toasted maltiness and earthy hop aroma
m: carbonation a little on the low side for my taste, medium body
t: smooth toasted caramel malts dominate and give a moderate sweetness, great earthy hop character with a bitterness that builds in the finish with subtle notes of dry chocolate
d: easy
standard pint at Taphouse on Queensway, Hampton, VA
Aug 20, 2008
nriech from Virginia
3.93/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Clear light brown. Medium head, some lacing. Moderate carbonation.
Smell: Sweet and malty. A little nutty.
Taste: A decent mixture of lightly sweet caramel with malt. A little citrus hop is balanced in well. Very easy to drink and not offensive to any foods I have eaten with it.
Its overall a pleasant beer thats always fresh as it has a short expiration date and cant be left unrefered. Its always a good solid standby in the Richmond area.
Jan 11, 2007
3.93/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Clear light brown. Medium head, some lacing. Moderate carbonation.
Smell: Sweet and malty. A little nutty.
Taste: A decent mixture of lightly sweet caramel with malt. A little citrus hop is balanced in well. Very easy to drink and not offensive to any foods I have eaten with it.
Its overall a pleasant beer thats always fresh as it has a short expiration date and cant be left unrefered. Its always a good solid standby in the Richmond area.
Jan 11, 2007
boston2bburg from Virginia
4.27/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Three plus fingers of creamy head, dense bubbles slowly settling, leaving 1/4" of head over the mahogany-amber body. For all the froth, lacing is minimal.
Watermelon, yeast, bubble gum on the nose. Fruity, malty, refreshing and light, but complex.
Fruity, candied malts up front, while light citrus hops provide a dry finish, and round out the malts.
Mouthfeel is spot on for a brown. Wet at first and dry on the finish.
Easy drinker, sits well. Perfect with some hot dogs watching the afternoon ballgame.
Apr 16, 2008
4.27/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Three plus fingers of creamy head, dense bubbles slowly settling, leaving 1/4" of head over the mahogany-amber body. For all the froth, lacing is minimal.
Watermelon, yeast, bubble gum on the nose. Fruity, malty, refreshing and light, but complex.
Fruity, candied malts up front, while light citrus hops provide a dry finish, and round out the malts.
Mouthfeel is spot on for a brown. Wet at first and dry on the finish.
Easy drinker, sits well. Perfect with some hot dogs watching the afternoon ballgame.
Apr 16, 2008
Brown Ale from Legend Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
507 ratings
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