Brown Ales

DFH Indian Brown Ale is pretty sublime. Borders a bit on porter territory (love the roasty coffee notes) but is one of the best beers I've had from them.

 

Far and away the best brown ale I've ever laid taste buds on. And the variants - coffee, cacao - are even better.

 

Oldie but goodie..........Moose Drool

 

Surprised no one has Mentioned Port Brewing's Board Meeting although it does taste closer to a coffee stout so that may be a reason a damn well made beer if not really a brown

I love a solid Brown my favorite is probably New Glarus Fat Squirrel followed by
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
Big Sky Moose Drool
Avery's Ellie
and Bells Best Brown

 

I think that there are so many IPA/DIPA hopheads around here that wear blinders and focus only on those styles, so by default they "don't like" brown ales (and most other styles) even though they really do appreciate them.

 

Get some Fiddlehead Tejas Marron in trade - a hoppy brown ale that is awesome

 

Totally agree on the Fiddlehead. Cigar City Maduro is also a must try as well as Anchor

 

I dig the browns. Perhaps the most versatile of styles when it comes to food pairing!

 

I also like browns. Voyageur and Lift Bridge both have good ones in MN. Good beer to have around for middle ground.

 

I enjoy brown ales in the Fall. Unita's Bristlecone Brown is a great every-day brown ale at 4%. It's nothing too crazy, but, to me, it has the smell and taste of autumn leaves and tree bark that gets me in the mood for the season.

DFH Indian Brown, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog, & Smuttynose Durty Mud are other, more robust examples that I enjoy.

I don't care for pumpkin beers, so I think browns are a great seasonal substitute.

 

Can't say I have branched out too much in this style, but Bell's Best Brown is one of the few beers I must purchase by the case every year.

 

I'll often order Brown Ales 'cause I feel sorry for them as they're often overlooked . Upslope has a great one (canned), and Hogshead in Denver is always a good bet. For those in the Denver/Boulder area there's an Upslope/Hogshead collaboration brown that is truly exceptional! And if you home brew and haven't made Janet's Brown you're missing out on something special!

 

Only saw a couple mentions for Samuel Smith Nut Brown, so I am adding to that.
A small brewery called Climax in Roselle Park, NJ makes a great nut brown that I have unfortunately only had the pleasure of having once or twice.
One of my first favorite go to beers when I started drinking was Anchor Brekles Brown and I didn't see anyone mention that so I will add that, but unfortunately I never see it around here anymore. I actually checked BA the other day and it still says it is a year round brew, but I guess they don't distribute that here anymore. Anyone know what happened?

 

Frangelic Mountain from Founders was amazing. I wish they made more of it

 

Clown Shoes Brown Angel
Half Acre Two Tugs (not sure if this is still being produce and what .5 acre's distro is like in N. IL)

 

I've like the much maligned style but found that decent ones are hard to come back. When fresh, Sam Smith's satisfies.

 

DogfishbalHead - Indian Brown is terrific! A tad bit hoppy but Nicely balanced. Sierra Nevada Tumbler is good as well

 

*Dogfish Head*. Damn phone

 

I enjoy brown ales of all sorts. Yes, there are standard brown ale characteristics and just like IPA's, breweries will push the limits of what you can do with a base brown. That said, I used to really like Goose Island Nut Brown Ale but I haven't had that in several years. In my fridge you'll find Surly Bender & Coffee Bender, Dogfish Head Indian Brown and Palo Santo Marron. I was very fortunate and had Surly Cacao Bender on tap at the Abrasive release here. Beautiful beer.

 

Or Moosedrool if it's available in your area. Best brown ale ever!!!