Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Nut Brown/Brown Ale Tasting Jan 16-31

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  January 20, 2009

  Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale 5.00% ABV
  Samuel Smith Brewing Co., Tadcaster, England
  
  The Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale from Samuel Smith Brewing Co. in Tadcaster, England pours out a deep coppery brown with very good clarity and a foamy tan head. The nose is faintly nutty with some grain and toffee sweetness. In the mouth you can taste the nut, more than you smell it on the nose, and roasted grains. Creamy mouthfeel with a sweetness to it. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Lovely lacing. Hops come in on the finish to balance out the sweetness. A very, very good nut brown ale.
  
  

  Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale 5.00% ABV
  Samuel Smith Brewing Co., Tadcaster, England
  
  The Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale from Samuel Smith Brewing Co. in Tadcaster, England pours out a deep coppery brown with very good clarity and a foamy tan head. The nose is faintly nutty with some grain and toffee sweetness. In the mouth you can taste the nut, more than you smell it on the nose, and roasted grains. Creamy mouthfeel with a sweetness to it. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Lovely lacing. Hops come in on the finish to balance out the sweetness. A very, very good nut brown ale.
  
  
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  January 22, 2009

  Ok, both these beers have been commented upon, so we decided to do a side-by-side tasting of Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar and Sammy Smith's Nut Brown Ale.
  
  In comparing the color - the round goes to Rogue. Loved the darker amber color, with Sammy's being a lighter shade of amber.
  
  Head retention - Sammy wins hands down. Rogue had very little head and lacing
  
  Aroma - must give this one to Rogue. The hazelnut aroma came out right away. Sammy's is more subtle, not prominant until it warmed up significantly
  
  Taste - give this one to Sammy Smith. Although Rogue had an interesting chocolate hazelnut taste, the Sammy was much bolder malt and nut taste even with the lower ABV. But the nuttiness was definitely there in both.
  
  Overall, I think both were good contenders, but I give Samuel Smith the win, by a hair...or maybe a gulp.

  Ok, both these beers have been commented upon, so we decided to do a side-by-side tasting of Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar and Sammy Smith's Nut Brown Ale.
  
  In comparing the color - the round goes to Rogue. Loved the darker amber color, with Sammy's being a lighter shade of amber.
  
  Head retention - Sammy wins hands down. Rogue had very little head and lacing
  
  Aroma - must give this one to Rogue. The hazelnut aroma came out right away. Sammy's is more subtle, not prominant until it warmed up significantly
  
  Taste - give this one to Sammy Smith. Although Rogue had an interesting chocolate hazelnut taste, the Sammy was much bolder malt and nut taste even with the lower ABV. But the nuttiness was definitely there in both.
  
  Overall, I think both were good contenders, but I give Samuel Smith the win, by a hair...or maybe a gulp.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  January 23, 2009

  McChouffe Artisanal Belgian Brown Ale 8.50% ABV
  Brasserie d'Achouffe, Achouffe, Belgium
  
  The McChouffe from Brasserie d'Achouffe pours out a deep amber brown with a good bit of cloud, being unfiltered, and a lovely, 2 finger, tan colored head. Aromas of spice, peat, dried cherry and molasses fill the nose. In the mouth I can really taste chocolate with malt and light toffee sweetness that is followed by the fruit and yeast. A good bit of carbonation. Medium bodied. Fantastic lacing. The finish is quit drying with the hops showing up in there. Nice brew.
  
  
  

  McChouffe Artisanal Belgian Brown Ale 8.50% ABV
  Brasserie d'Achouffe, Achouffe, Belgium
  
  The McChouffe from Brasserie d'Achouffe pours out a deep amber brown with a good bit of cloud, being unfiltered, and a lovely, 2 finger, tan colored head. Aromas of spice, peat, dried cherry and molasses fill the nose. In the mouth I can really taste chocolate with malt and light toffee sweetness that is followed by the fruit and yeast. A good bit of carbonation. Medium bodied. Fantastic lacing. The finish is quit drying with the hops showing up in there. Nice brew.
  
  
  
• Zach

  

  Member
   

  January 24, 2009

  For those who like Belgian abbey style brews, the nut brown from Corsendonk is very good. I dare say the best brown I have ever had, however also the most difficult to obtain. (A+)
  http://www.crownsliquor.com/images/corsendonk.jpg
  
  The Left Hand Undercover Brown is an alright brew as well, and slightly more easy to get a hold of. (solid B)
  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sV4GFY9lGc/R65eGDZQbnI/AAAAAAAAADo/gtQjbC3qP9k/s320/LeftHandBrownAle.jpg

  For those who like Belgian abbey style brews, the nut brown from Corsendonk is very good. I dare say the best brown I have ever had, however also the most difficult to obtain. (A+)
  http://www.crownsliquor.com/images/corsendonk.jpg
  
  The Left Hand Undercover Brown is an alright brew as well, and slightly more easy to get a hold of. (solid B)
  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sV4GFY9lGc/R65eGDZQbnI/AAAAAAAAADo/gtQjbC3qP9k/s320/LeftHandBrownAle.jpg
• IPAMAN1

  

  Member
   

  January 26, 2009

  Big Sky Brewing
  Moose Drool Brown Ale
  Missoula, Montana
  
  5.1%ABV
  12oz bottle
  Poured into tulip snifter
  
  POUR: A little foamy. But light with creamy medium body texture. Coloration in light is dark burgundy .
  
  NOSE: Toasty, sweet and fruity, hint of apple.
  
  1st TASTE: Toasty rye comes to mind. Malt is clearly darker than standard malt. Hint of black licorice (anise?) actually quite appropriate carbonation considering initial foamy pour.
  
  2nd TASTE: Warm round flavors, hearty and slightly heavy like a stout or even a porter. Dark maltiness again. Slightly tangy finish like black coffee on my palate.
  
  MUSINGS/REFLECTIONS ETC.
  I am pleased with this find. As brown ales go it reminds me of winter afternoons in Germany. There was a late afternoon meal (supper if you will) called “brotzeit” translated to English literally as “bread time.” I think this would be the beer I would want during brotziet. Brotzeit was a generous plate of hearty breads, cheeses and cold cuts of meat. Some grapes perhaps or apple or pear slices. This would work wonderfully with these foods. The heartiness of the flavors would definitely highlight the rye and whole grain breads.
  
  

  Big Sky Brewing
  Moose Drool Brown Ale
  Missoula, Montana
  
  5.1%ABV
  12oz bottle
  Poured into tulip snifter
  
  POUR: A little foamy. But light with creamy medium body texture. Coloration in light is dark burgundy .
  
  NOSE: Toasty, sweet and fruity, hint of apple.
  
  1st TASTE: Toasty rye comes to mind. Malt is clearly darker than standard malt. Hint of black licorice (anise?) actually quite appropriate carbonation considering initial foamy pour.
  
  2nd TASTE: Warm round flavors, hearty and slightly heavy like a stout or even a porter. Dark maltiness again. Slightly tangy finish like black coffee on my palate.
  
  MUSINGS/REFLECTIONS ETC.
  I am pleased with this find. As brown ales go it reminds me of winter afternoons in Germany. There was a late afternoon meal (supper if you will) called “brotzeit” translated to English literally as “bread time.” I think this would be the beer I would want during brotziet. Brotzeit was a generous plate of hearty breads, cheeses and cold cuts of meat. Some grapes perhaps or apple or pear slices. This would work wonderfully with these foods. The heartiness of the flavors would definitely highlight the rye and whole grain breads.