“Poker is in our blood, in fact, it is a true urban legend that our brewery was funded with money won in a poker game. But unlike a poor sucker dealt Aces & Eights – known as the dead man’s hand – we’re still alive and kicking. Just like the hoppy zip in every mouthful of this American style Brown Ale.”

Glassware: American Pint.

Appearance: Brown with dark copper highlights. It only manages a thumb of finely beaded foam but it retains incredibly well and leaves a cascading lace down the glass.

Aroma: We’re uncertain why – what is obviously an American Brown Ale – is labelled a “Texas Brown Ale”. Is it hopped with Texan bred hops or does it have something to do with its geographical proximity to Nevada i.e casino’s? What is certain is that we pick up a beautifully balanced aroma full of nutty choc malts, toast, oats, coconut flakes, pine, mild citrus and herbals.

Flavour: Quite shy. Yeah we can taste the nutty malts, cocoa, citrus and piney hops but overall it’s very restrained. Nicely balanced though, we’ll give them that. A mild hop bitterness kicks out midway and is offset by the slightly toasty and roasty malts which finish it off. Decent length on it.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and silky, a little creamy. Mild dryness in the swallow. Medium body. 6% ABV is nicely positioned.

Overall: Underwhelming to be honest. We see American Brown Ales as a step back from black IPA’s yet this is nothing of the sort. Too timid and weak for our liking.