How about another beer review?  I thought I would share with you another brew from the Brooklyn Brewing Company out of Brooklyn, New York.  Today, I chose to review the Brooklyn Brown Ale. 

I tend to hold off on drinking Brown Ales until Fall when the leaves start to change and it gets a bit cooler, but I saw this on the shelf, hadn’t had it in a good, long while and thought I would give it a proper review. 

The website, brooklynbrewery.com, has this to say about their Brown Ale.  It’s rather lengthy, but interesting.

This is the award-winning original American Brown Ale, first brewed as a holiday specialty, and now one of our most popular beers year-round. 

Northern English Brown Ales tend to be strong and dry, while southern English Brown Ales are milder and sweeter.  Brooklyn Brown Ale combines the best of those classic styles and then adds an American accent in the form of a firm hop character and roasty palate.  A blend of six malts, some of them roasted, give this beer its deep russet-brown color and complex malt flavor, fruity, smooth and rich, with a caramel, chocolate and coffee background.  Generous late hopping brings forward a nice hop aroma to complete the picture.  Brooklyn Brown Ale is full-flavored but retains a smoothness and easy drinkability that has made it one of the most popular dark beers in the Northeast. 

Let’s give it a go!!!

This “Brown” comes in a 12 oz. bottle and has a 5.6% ABV.

The pour produced a clear, dark brown/amber/mahogany color with some burnt orange highlights circling the bottom of the glass.  A very nice tan head was formed that was fluffy, smooth and creamy.  It was of ample size and had great retention.  The lacing was ok.  Not spectacular, but not bad either.

At first my nose picked up a very nice roasty, nutty malt.  Over the next few deep whiffs, my nostrils found some mild hints of sweet chocolate with a subtle roasted coffee.  I also found a very succulent aroma that reminded me of a fresh loaf of wheat bread.  I love wheat bread.  Hidden deep in the fragrance was the slightest hint of dried tobacco leaf.  The scent was balanced very well.  It’s rich, robust and bold without being obnoxious or vile.

The taste introduced a nice roasty almond flavor with some intimate toasted malts.  Something like a piece of toasted wheat bread.  The almonds had a slight smoked and salty flavor.  Some exposed coffee grounds and little touches of sweet chocolate round out the malt analysis.  Only the most minor hop bitterness was found.  I barely noticed it to tell the truth.  I didn’t find any caramel, which was mentioned in the description, however I didn’t miss it.

The mouthfeel was medium, dry, smooth, crisp and chewy.  Honorable amounts of flavor were left on the palate to let me ponder for a few moments.

I’ll tell ya.  I really like this Brown Ale.  It seems to have gotten better over the years.  Either that or I was just in the perfect mood for this beer.  It’s more than solid…. it’s down right good.  It was well balanced, enjoyable, sessionable and fun to drink.  It could be contemplated, discussed and appreciated with relative ease.  I would have no problem drinking this beer again.  It would be best quaffed during the Fall, but this could also be had throughout the Winter and on into early Spring.  I didn’t find it to be the best Brown Ale on the market, although I do think that the Brooklyn Brown Ale should be tried and, at the very least, given some respect.  Some may find it too malty and not sweet enough, but that’s what makes a good “Brown” in my opinion.  I want another one!!!  Give it a try and let me know what you thought of it.

Do you enjoy Brooklyn brews?  Leave a comment and tell me your favorite.

Thanks for reading.

Score:  4.0 out of 5
Grade:  B+