“A full-bodied, brown ale with a rich chocolate taste created from roasted chocolate and caramel malts. Topped with Czech Saaz Hops to give it a spicy flavor and aroma”.
It’s no barley wine or imperial stout but the humble old brown ale is always a good option for a winter warmer. Served in a shaker glass the dark mahogany brown pour produced a tight half inch beige head that collapsed quickly. Minimal lacing to be seen. As to be expected, nuts and chocolate are the first to meet the olfactory. Additions of caramel, roasted malts, toast and spice separate this ale from the standard brown ale. The mouth feel is quite creamy with an evident alcohol warmth on the tongue. Mildly carbonated with a full bodied palate. Initially the chocolate and nuts are infused by an obvious alcohol burn (8% ABV). Caramel and roasted malts carry the mid-palate forward onto the roasted nutty finish with good length that’s well drawn out on to the back end. At first we thought the ABV was hindering the chewy, roasted flavours but by the end the sting from the booze wore off and the nutty, chocolatey flavours became more pronounced. Very nice brown ale here. Strong and bitey yet smooth and creamy. Very good balance. Very good beer.