Brown Ales

Funny enough I've been unimpressed lately by stouts and porters I've been trying lately so I'm at the store and I thought I could really go for a brown ale but there wasn't much to choose from. Picked up a 6 of Ellie's Brown from Avery brewing, it was quite good.

 

The king of browns(to me at least):
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/palo-santo-marron-best-shelf-turd.270355/#post-3434625

 

Arcadia's Nut Brown is phenomenal, it's a fall seasonal. 4Hands Cast Iron is wonderful too, which uses Oats in the grist for a richer mouthfeel. Tasty stuff.

 

Omg! Some else that loves brown ales?! Brown ales are extremely tasty. I love the full bodied roasted flavor they present. They aren't too dark so you are able to drink multiple before your palate becomes overwhelmed. Finally, they are a very complex style while just tasting. Love the style, and love this thread.

 

I like them - even ones that don't clock in at double digit ABVs or triple digit IBUs.

Tumbler was a big fav of mine and a fall staple until it was discontinued by SN. I remain hopeful of a resurection beyond inclusion in a seasonal pack.

 

I tend to drink mostly "balanced" beers, and I like brown ales, but for whatever reason it is not a "go to" style for me. I usually gey a six pack of Bells Best Brown every fall and maybe once a year a bottle of Sam Smiths.

 

English Browns are great. I had a friend who just brewed up a Southern English Brown and it was awesome. I really wish some of the craft brewers would explore that style a bit more on the US "side of the pond" as I know many beer drinkers who would like to see more of this style.

 

You mean the Indian Brown Ale? Although I find that beer interesting I do find it way to hoppy for the style. But then again, I really like brown ales so I have a certain expectation in mind.

The thing about Palo Santo is that I really think it is mischaracterized as a brown ale, regardless what their inspiration was. It is kind of like calling 120 Minute IPA a pale ale. Palo Santo is dark as night, almost completely opaque, and very heavy bodied. None of those are really in style. So it is not just a slight pushing of the boundaries, but a complete departure. It is still yummy and needs to be put somewhere since we put everything in style categories, but...

I am glad Tumbler is still in the Fall packs. It is pretty much the reason I buy them. It would be nice to buy it by the 12-pack again, though.

 

I enjoy a brown ale on occasion, I tend to like them to be one the slightly sweet side and a bit drier. Actually the bar I'm going to tomorrow night has Pig's Ear on draft, so I'll probably have more than my fair share of them.

 

Cigar City Maduro and the variants (Vanilla, expecially) are incredible. Underappreciated style.

 

People dont like browns for the same reason they dont like german lagers, they aren't bold and in your face. It's not hip to like helles or browns or pilsners either.

 

I tend to prefer English Browns over American Browns.

 

Think about elections, people tend to like things that are one style or another, i.e., stouts, IPA's, Pale ales. Things in the middle tend to get looked over.

 

I'm certainly no expert at food pairings, but I enjoy a good brown with any burger or steak.

 

A number of replies here have summed up the problem: "they are too malty". Brown Ales are everything IPAs are not - malty, easy drinking, and they don't melt your fillings with bitterness.

 

People around here don't like them because they are malty and don't normally have the hell hopped out of them. If it's not hoppy or barrel aged, it generally doesn't get very popular here (with some exceptions).

 

DFH Indian Brown Ale is a favorite of mine. Hits on all the right notes, I feel. I suppose that because they don't have a particularly standout characteristic they are often easily forgotten.

 

Not that this is some kind of WBAYDN thread, but I'm presently enjoying a Pretty Things St Botolph's Town, which tends more English than American. Great malty, yeasty brew, reminiscent of a less alcoholic stingo.

 

Just tend to be too sweet for my pallet.I can have one after that I'm onto something more bitter.......