Nut Brown Ale
Bitter Root Brewing

 

 

 

 

A big thank you to Whitney K. for grabbing this for me on a trip back to her home town. The visuals were what was expected from a brown, but on both the nose and tongue, roast and coffee dominated. Surprising since the use of coffee isn;t mentioned on the label.

The body was a bit thin, while also smooth and even. Drinkability was (for me, I hate coffee) hurt by the roast/coffee flavors. Overall, a solidly decent brew, one that's worth a shot if you see it.

 

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours a dark brown color with a one finger head of cream colored foam. The head has a good level of retention, slowly fading to leave a moderate level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma of the beer is rather sweet with the biggest aromas being a mix of toffee and caramel. Along with these smells comes some more roasted malt smell and a nice hazelnut like smell. A little bit of chocolate is there is well, complimenting the sweet, roasted and nut nicely.

Taste – The taste begins with a sweeter flavor of caramel with a hint of toffee as well as a decently strong showing of a roasted malt taste. Right from the start there is a nice nutty flavor that grows stronger as the taste moves on forward. All the while the roasted tastes initially grow stronger in flavor and then end up later fading. With a little bit of earth and more caramel developing at the end, one is left with a smooth and sweet roasted nutty taste to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the somewhat thinner side with a carbonation level that is on the average to slightly higher side. A little thicker body and a lower carbonation level may have been slightly more appropriate for the nut and roasted flavors of the brew, but overall the feel wasn’t too bad as it did make for an easy drinking feel.

Overall – A somewhat sweeter and nicely nutted brown ale that was rather easy drinking. Rather enjoyable overall.

 

 

 

 

Poured from a bomber into a shaker. Watch out with this one- pour gently, because a big billowing, creamy white head results from a moderate pour. The froth sticks around, leaving enough suds along the sides that it will have to be scrubbed out before I pour another (since I have no more of this- pity). The beer is a very dark yellowish brown with a tinge of red.

Subdued nose, but with some noticeable toffee-like aroma, with a very nutty malt-forward flavor. I get some hazelnut and maybe something a bit more astringent, like acorn. Flavors suggestive of dark cherries and plums lend a good deal of pungent fruitiness.

A very nice brown ale, and locally produced. I must visit this brewery soon.

 

 

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: rich red-brown hue with plenty of red highlights when held up to the light. Body is haze-free with a strong effervescence. Head poured a finger of creamy tan foam which is subsiding slowly. Attractive!

Smell: sweet and malty with plenty of nutty, caramelly character. A hint of roastiness and a touch of biscuit (thankfully, not too much) round out the flavor; this is a smooth, yet nicely complex, aroma. I like it.

Taste: much drier than the aroma, the toasty, nutty and caramel character remains. Finish has a definite bitterness, perhaps a little bit less well-rounded than I'd like. Still, a solid brown ale.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of creaminess that has a lot of staying power. Quite good.

Overall: I like this beer a lot, although the finish on the palate is a bit rough, especially considering the smoothness of the other characteristics of this beer. Not bad.

A-dark brown in color with a decent tan head and good lacing

S-roasted brown malt, chocolate, toffee, earthy

T-roasted brown malt, chocolate,brown sugar, hint of coffee, some hop bitterness

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth

O-solid brown ale, rich flavors, easy drinking