Hopz' Brown Ale
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company

It certainly is a brown ale. Not quite black coffee brown, more like dark chocolate brown, the liquid rests temporarily inside a clear glass liter mug. It seems to be sufficiently carbonated, but there's no head, nor glass lacing. Contrary to its described intentions, the aroma is much more of roasted barley malt than hops. Although the balance gets closer in the taste, this is still maltier than hoppy. Fairly, that's what Brown Ales are supposed to be and this one might be a little more hoppy than the standard for the style. But, hop heads will be disappointed. Just like a Brown Ale is supposed to, there's plenty of full earthy malt flavor, without the bitter bite of exuberant roasting. So, it's malty sweet more than it's bitter from hopping and roasting. Yet, there is some balance of hop and roasting taste contributions. Overall, it's not nearly as out of balance as a close cousin, Scottish Ale. Overall, this provides a more than acceptable flavor of malt, hops and even some yeast, delivered within a very pleasant body. Despite the initial evervescence when the can was first cracked open, it drinks more flatly than expected. That also falls within the acceptable perimeters of this style. Fans of Brown Ales should have no problem with this one.