Base Layer Winter Brunette
Long Trail Brewing Co.

Base Layer Winter BrunetteBase Layer Winter Brunette
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From:
Long Trail Brewing Co.
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Ale
Ranked #6
ABV:
6%
Score:
88
Ranked #19,425
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 7.85%
Ratings:
14 | reviews: 9
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 06, 2022
Added:
Nov 13, 2018
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
This Belgian Brunette Ale got its start on our pilot system where it was offered early this summer in our taproom. Brewed with a traditional Belgian yeast and fermented on oak staves; expect complex aromas and a rich malt sweetness that are woven together with notes of dark fruit, vanilla and oak. Together, these full-on flavors provide an extra layer of warmth to fuel all your winter adventures. Look for Base Layer on super special draught lines and exclusively in our Survival Pack mixers.

IBU: 23
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ANIMOUL:
Photo of ANIMOUL
Reviewed by ANIMOUL from Vermont

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle; unknown birth date or purchase place. Pours dark amber with decent foamy head that rapidly recedes. Tastes of coffee and vanilla. Interesting and good.
Jan 06, 2022
More User Ratings:
Photo of GreesyFizeek
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.12/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Marshall Street Bar and Grill in Rochester, NY.

This one pours a decently dark brown color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like toasted bread, light fruitiness, oak spiciness, and vanilla.

This is a pretty fascinating, and for the most part, it works pretty well for me. It's got a wonderful malt backbone, toasty, slightly caramelly, with a bit of dark fruitiness. I don't get a ton of character from the Belgian yeast, but the oak does add a nice rounded spicy character to the beer.

This is medium bodied, creamy, and pretty drinkable, with a nice smooth finish.

I always kind of forget about Long Trail. It's cool to see they still are capable of making intriguing and well-thought-out beers.
Oct 07, 2019
Photo of Tyrande
Reviewed by Tyrande from Maine

5/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer is like non other. I normally stick with fruity beers and light ipas and sometimes a lager..But I love this beer so much I crave it. Smells heavy like old oak and hops a touch of a perfume something that makes your mouth water instead of dry. There's a taste to it that I can't quite put on it. I know there's a light touch of vanilla in it I don't want to say the extra smell and taste is vanilla..but it probably is..It was one of those things where when I first tried it I said I didn't like it and then ended up finishing the bottle and going back for a second. Every time I drive through Vermont for work I always make sure to stop at a bar and grab it on draft. The color is a beautiful brown hue and when it pours it smells amazing with a short foamy head. Delicious to drink with a steak or cheddar and crackers
Apr 10, 2019
Photo of kw_pip
Rated by kw_pip from Vermont

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
straight. tastes exactly like golden crisp
Mar 24, 2019
Photo of Chickenhawk9932
Reviewed by Chickenhawk9932 from Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark Amber with a cream colored head that leaves trails of lace.

Pine and spruce notes up front, backed by a solid malt backbone with touches of caramel and vanilla.
Mar 01, 2019
Photo of good_to_sea
Reviewed by good_to_sea from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look: hazy, coppery brown with a creamy blonde head.
Smell: boozy, slightly minty.
Taste: vanilla, a pleasant nutty flavor.
Feel: thin-bodied.
Overall: a good beer that tastes great both straight out the fridge and as it warms up.
Feb 22, 2019
Photo of BEERMILER12
Reviewed by BEERMILER12 from Maine

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a maroon color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap

S: Belgian yeasty esters, which give off some dark fruit and earthy tones. Not much under that

T: Follows the nose. Starts off with the dark fruit and goes into some earthiness and candi sugar undertones. Finishes with lingering yeasty notes

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

O: A solid Belgian-style dark ale that is easy to drink and nice during the colder weather
Feb 13, 2019
 
Rated: 3.74 by robebo44 from Virginia

Feb 07, 2019
 
Rated: 3.81 by PJCarnell from Massachusetts

Jan 17, 2019
 
Rated: 3.93 by ItsBeer4Me from Pennsylvania

Jan 16, 2019
Photo of BeerAndGasMasks
Reviewed by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

3.82/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the bottle, it pours a clear dark amber with a large light tan head that lasts. Roasted malts in the nose. The mouth gets the same, with a slight astringency in the end. Hmm.
Jan 06, 2019
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Nov 25, 2018
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

3.86/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the 12 fl. oz. bottle dated 10/21/18. Sampled on November 23, 2018

The appearance is a handsome looking mahogany brown with reddish hues underneath a modest cream colored or light tan colored head. Some lacing.

Forward aromas of sweet, burnt malts, almost a charcoal burnt sensation, along with a nuttiness and a dark fruit character. Earthy hop presence.

The body is medium or better.

The flavor is sweet and nutty with a burnt or kind of smoky undercurrent that leads to a dry, slightly lingering bitter finish. A bolder brown ale than some.
Nov 23, 2018
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

3.79/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle.

Pours dark brown with mahogany edgework. Retention and lacing is minimal. Cocoa and roasted malt in the nose with a hint of nuts. Medium bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Malt-forward on the palate with hints of chocolate and roasted nuts. Finishes with earthy overtones and nutty malt.

Nice brown ale but not too memorable.
Nov 13, 2018