Squirrel Stash
Block 15 Brewing - Southtown Tap Room

This is the 2025 edition with a new label. The carbonation seems to be a bit lacking and the mouthfeel is watery. Just slightly aromatic with roasted grain and damp wood. There is a touch of chocolate and a modest bitter aftertaste. Not much flavor otherwise. Overall this is more sharp than you would think necessary for a Brown Ale. From the 16 oz can dated 01/02/25.

 

 

16oz can

Pours about a finger of pillowy tan head into my Nonic. Retention is subpar and the head mostly fades within a minute or so, however it does leave a nice film. Initial lacing looks pretty nice. Body is brown, with surprisingly high clarity and minimal bubbles coming up. Looks decent so far, lacing has potential.

Nose has a wonderful rich burst of aroma, nutty, toffee, sweet malt. Not super complex, but it’s very lovely.

Flavor does not disappoint. Nutty and toffee flavors are indeed present, not quite as potent as the nose, but it’s nice none the less.

Body is on the lighter side. It’s not quite as rich or sweet as the nose was, it has more of a mineral feel, with a medium carbonation, even slightly dry at times. Bitterness is low, but definitely sets a nice backbone for the beer. Overall an appropriate mouthfeel, not heavy, nice.

Drinkability is very high, this is tasty and sessionable.

Appearance ended poorly, zero lacing.

Overall a very solid brown. I wouldn’t mind a touch more sweetness, akin to the nose, but it is a very nice beer regardless.

Look: Dark brown in the glass and amber when held up to light with a tan head that firmly holds as a lid, coating the rim with great lacing
Aroma: Filberts, brown bread, caramel, melanoidin, earthy notes, toffee, and wafts of brown sugar
Taste: Earthiness, bready malt, and toffee open it up as light notes of filbert (hazelnut) and caramel slowly bleed into the mix. More dark malt and sweetness holds the middle and closes with more toffee and earthy hops
Mouthfeel: Full but definitely lighter feeling/not heavy, medium-high carbonation, and a fairly smooth and soft finish
Overall: This is good stuff. I love a good brown ale and feel it is a severely underrepresented style so loved it when I saw one of my favorite breweries had made and packaged one. A well-made and tasty take on the style with plenty of rich malt, light nuttiness, and some earthy hop presence to balance it all out. Recommended

Crystal clear, medium brown color. Very light head. Aroma - likewise. Very malt forward, as you would expect, with only a touch of bitterness. Very dry. In the taste, don 't serve cold, give it a little time to warm. You will get a pleasant malt, definite nuttiness and hints of dark chocolate. This would be a great beer for one of those first cool days in late summer when the first hint of fall comes in.