Brown Ales

Not only is this style under-rated, but it isn't given the ``bourbon-barrel treatment'' often enough in my opinion. Everyone goes crazy over barrel-aged stouts (and deservedly so), but you haven't lived until you've tried a top-notch bourbon-barrel aged brown ale. The vanilla tones of the barrel-aging complement the sweetness of the malt so nicely! I've only had a couple of these and I wish more brewers would do it.

 

I would also love to see more done with browns. I would love to see more brewed with nuts for bigger nuttiness obviously. Brewing or barrel aging with maple syrup is also something that should be done more often with the style.

 

Some are good, some are bad. Avery Ellie's Brown is probably my favorite of the style so far.

 

New Holland Cabin Fever has been a staple of mine the past 3 weeks.but don't expect knock out flavor from your brown ales,just nice and relaxing.

 

Nautical Nut is probably my favorite brown out there.

 

Agreed. I'd like to see more BBA browns. As for regular brown ales, PP Good Grief Brown, Ballast Point Reef Rye Brown, Stone TBA, and MPBC Sweet Georgia Brown are my highlights.

 

Bad Penny from Big Boss is my favorite brown.

 

Brown's I've found to be enjoyable for what its worth:

• Voodoo Brewing Wynona's Big Brown Ale [if I could get more, I would]
• Sam Smith's Nut Brown
• Surly Bender
• Tyranena's Rocky's Revenge
• Cigar City Maduro Brown & Bolita Double Brown
• New Holland Cabin Fever

 

I'm going to be a homer & say Rye Knot Brown by COAST. I wish it was around longer so more people could try it.
I'm not a big brown fan, but I really like this one, and drink it steadily for the 6 weeks or so that its out.

 

DFH India Brown Ale, and Natty Greene's Olde Town Brown (hard to get if your not in NC though) are great session beers.

 

Brown Ales, especially "sessionable" ones, have fallen out of favor of craft beer drinkers who seem to want bigger, hoppier fare. Some brewers have discontinued brewing their brown ales. Surly Bender is certainly a good one, but at the price point, not a frequent purchase. I also like Tyranena Rocky's Revenge which has some barrel-aging but if you are unfortunate to drink an old or improperly stored one, it is nasty. I do occasionally pick up Samuel Smith's which is a classic.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial; one of my favorite beers.

 

I would love to see more brown ales around. A wonderful brown ale is what got me into craft beer. A place in N.Woodstock NH called The Woodstock Inn & Brewery. They make a beer called Pig's Ear Brown Ale. I love the stuff. If you are ever in that area check the place out. Really nice small town NH feel.

 

Been said over and over again but Smuttynose's Old Brown Dog is great. I like Brooklyn Brown too, although I haven't had too many examples of the style over all.

Long Trail's Harvest Ale is a brown and maybe I just had a bad bottle because my experience doesn't match up with where others rate it. Thin and a little weird.

 

I think Abita Turbodog deserves a mention. It's a wonderful beer. Lots of other good things mentioned so far. Ellies brown is one of my favorites too.

 

I forgot about Brau Brothers Ring Neck Braun Ale which was the first beer from them that made me take them seriously.

 

I always like it when Summerfest comes out because that means we're just one season away from Tumbler. Love that brown. Also Rogue's Hazelnut Brown was the beer that got me into craft, so I guess you could say I have a soft spot for the style.

 

i was really blown away by captain lawrence's recent effort that was just bottled - Brown Bird. picked up a single for a taste and the next day got a 6'er.

always been a huge fan of DFH indian brown as well.

 

I don't think it's been mentioned, and it's draft only, but Bootlegger's Doggery Brown is spot on. I love a good brown. Newcastle was my trainer beer, though sadly, I can't stand it any more. It's definitely not just a cold weather beer, either.

 

Ellie's, DFH IBA, Maduro, and Sam Smiths.