Brown Ale blind taste testing

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by geodonnokepyo, Apr 30, 2017.

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  1. geodonnokepyo

    geodonnokepyo Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Pennsylvania

    After our hefeweizen tasting we went straight into a brown ale tasting. :sunglasses:
    This one was a little different since I included both American and English style brown ales.
    I included only what was easily available in my area. (Pittsburgh)
    I would have liked to include some others such as Bells Best Brown (not in season), Jackie O's, Cigar City, and Against the Grain (can would have been hard to make blind amongst all the bottles) but 15 brown ales was enough probably.
    We split this into two rounds since there wasn't enough room on our table for all the cups.
    Here is what was included:

    Round 1:

    Full Pint Little Brown
    Voodoo Wynona's Big Brown Ale
    He'Brew Messiah
    New Holland Cabin Fever
    Dogfish Head Indian Brown
    Saugatuck Bonfire Brown
    Alesmith Nut Brown

    Round 2:

    Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale
    Avery Ellie's Brown Ale
    Dark Horse Boffo Brown Ale
    Short's Bellaire Brown
    Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
    Brooklyn Brown Ale
    Newcastle Brown Ale
    Duck Rabbit Brown Ale

    Here is a picture:

    [​IMG]

    The results were varied
    Some of the beers were predominantly roasty, some were chocolaty, some took on some hazelnut flavors, and others were a fine balance between malts and hops. So I guess it all depends which specific flavor profile you are feeling at a given point in time to pick a favorite.
    That being said, there wasn't really a clear winner between the seven of us but if I had to choose, based on how many 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place votes it got, it would be New Holland's Cabin Fever.
    This one fell into the hazelnut category.
    Others that were received well included: He'Brew Messiah, Dark Horse Boffo Brown, Sam Smith Nut Brown, and Brooklyn Brown.
    The Newcastle was near the bottom of the bunch, which is not a big surprise.

    So, I will leave you with a question. What's your favorite brown ale?

    ... and if you're interested in how our hefeweizen tasting went, check this link: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/hefeweizen-blind-taste-testing.507843/#post-5417697
     
    #1 geodonnokepyo, Apr 30, 2017
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  2. Fordcoyote15

    Fordcoyote15 Pooh-Bah (2,368) Nov 19, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm digging these threads. Where in the pitt area are you? I'm from beaver county and would be up to share some from my cellar if you're doing more of these
     
    #2 Fordcoyote15, Apr 30, 2017
  3. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Bells best 16oz cans

    By far my go to fall brown

    Enjoy
     
    #3 Giantspace, Apr 30, 2017
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  4. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Same day, same folks, two tastings? Talk about taste-bud challenge! Hopefully rested a bit in-between.

    As far as favorite brown - Lakefront My Turn - Mike, a hazelnut brown. It was limited production, but is still on some shelves. Incredible hazelnut taste. The My Turn series is an opportunity for Lakefront staff to come up with their own brews. Hopefully this one eventually becomes a regular.

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 bbtkd, Apr 30, 2017
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  5. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Upslope brown ale and telluride face down brown are both high on my list, both a bit chocolate and coffee forward.
     
    #5 SFACRKnight, Apr 30, 2017
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  6. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (2,236) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Salud. I have a Short's Bellaire in my glass, and it's damp and cold outside. i.e. Perfect weather for cracking open a brown ale
     
    #6 MostlyNorwegian, Apr 30, 2017
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  7. geodonnokepyo

    geodonnokepyo Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Pennsylvania

    About to move to Bloomfield. I get around to these tastings every now and then. We've done Imperial stouts, Scotch Ales, and I think IPAs in the past. I was considering doing Flanders Red sometime but that might take a while to gather enough and also could be a little expensive for the Belgians. But any sort of bottle share is always a good time.
     
    #7 geodonnokepyo, Apr 30, 2017
  8. Tripel_Threat

    Tripel_Threat Grand Pooh-Bah (4,302) Jun 29, 2014 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bellaire Brown is my favorite, but I'd follow that up with Cabin Fever for sure, and Best Brown.
    If we're talking about variations on a brown ale, Short's London Fog (English Brown with Earl Gray, lactose, and vanilla) or Chickenbach Brown (American brown with coffee) are up there as well as Blackrock's Coconut Brown.
     
    #8 Tripel_Threat, Apr 30, 2017
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  9. HermitDan

    HermitDan Pundit (965) Apr 30, 2016 New Jersey

    1. Palo Santo
    2. Sam Smith's
    3. Rogue Hazelnut Brown
     
    #9 HermitDan, May 1, 2017
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  10. MikeySea

    MikeySea Pooh-Bah (2,165) Sep 17, 2015 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    I love Bell's Best when the Fall air is crisp, and the mutton is nice and lean...:slight_smile: Just tried AleSmith's Nut Brown. That was pretty nice. On the sweeter side, but nice. And I've enjoyed a CC Maduro Brown on occasion, too.
     
    #10 MikeySea, May 1, 2017
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  11. EvilMidnightBomber

    EvilMidnightBomber Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2015 Wisconsin

    Would love to say it's one of my locals (Tyranena Rocky's Revenge, Ale Asylum Madtown Nutbrown or New Glarus Fat Squirrel, all of which are really good), but I have to say my favorite is probably 4 Hands Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown Ale. The Saugatuck Snow Wizard I had this weekend at the brewery was pretty good too.
    Only had maybe a quarter of the beers from the blind tasting, but of the one's I've had I know I liked Ellie's Brown Ale a lot. Will have the find the New Holland one if it's available locally.
     
    #11 EvilMidnightBomber, May 1, 2017
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  12. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Being in Wisconsin you may still be able to find Lakefront My Turn Mike, a phenomenal hazelnut brown.
     
    #12 bbtkd, May 1, 2017
  13. akolb

    akolb Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2015 Colorado

    As far as American Brown Ales (non imperial), I'm partial to Upslope Brown Ale and DFH Indian Brown.
     
    #13 akolb, May 1, 2017
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  14. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    It is not a ‘standard’ Brown Ale but just a heads up that Founders Sumatra Mountain Brown is out now (a May-June seasonal). That beer is excellent IMO.

    Cheers!
     
    #14 JackHorzempa, May 1, 2017
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  15. geodonnokepyo

    geodonnokepyo Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Right on man. Yea I've enjoyed that one too. I have a couple still left from last year as well.
     
    #15 geodonnokepyo, May 1, 2017
  16. anfield86

    anfield86 Pooh-Bah (2,606) Nov 21, 2006 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    CCB Maduro has been my favorite brown that I've tried recently.

    I wish Long Trail Hit the Trail was still around so I could compare it. Loved that beer.
     
    #16 anfield86, May 1, 2017
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  17. dcw6363

    dcw6363 Zealot (552) Nov 11, 2009 Wisconsin
    Trader

    But that's not what he said! He distinctly said "to blave"
     
    #17 dcw6363, May 1, 2017
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  18. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,385) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My choice of those available locally is Bell's Brown.
     
    #18 Squire, May 1, 2017
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  19. Wasatch

    Wasatch Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,050) Jun 8, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Very nice list. Having this one right now, really tasty, surprised me.

    The Brown Note | Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse

    Cheers!
     
    #19 Wasatch, May 1, 2017
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  20. deleted_user_1111368

    deleted_user_1111368 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2016 Delaware

    I second this.. it's my go to.

    A close 2nd is Bell's Best Brown.
    I did have a couple Cabin Fever's this past weekend and thought they were excellent. I'd put it in my top 5. Other browns I like (among others) are Brooklyn, Duck Rabbit and DFH IBA.

    For what it's worth, I didn't like Rogue Hazlenut, Avery or Smuttynose my 1st time through. I am however not one to judge a brew by it's 1st sitting.. I have them on my list for a 2nd try.

    Thanks for the taste test OP!!
     
    #20 deleted_user_1111368, May 2, 2017
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