Here’s my second beer from the Boojum brewery of Waynesville, North Carolina: Balsam Brown Ale. This was one of two Boojum beers on tap at Harrah’s Valley River casino on my last visit. I enjoy brown ales, and never having tried a Boojum beer before this day, I was looking forward to this one.
I was not disappointed. The beer is soft malty, lightly chocolaty and very delicious. It was a perfect beer to enjoy whilst playing the slots as the casino, but I could see enjoying it with friendly conversation or a fine meal, too.
Boojum says:
A welcome companion, this beautiful brown ale is flavorful, approachable & easy going. A little bit of roast & a little bit of toast with a nutty, caramel flavor and a smooth, light finish make you want to gather round & crack one open.
Ingredients, from the website:
Malts: Special Roast, Victory, Caramel
Yeast: English
Notice they mention the malt, but not the hops. Ah, Boojum. You just scored some brownie points there. Almost always it’s the other way around, with so many brewers boasting of their hops and not bothering to mention the malts they use. Usually, the malt is barely mentioned in the beer, too. Malt is the lifeblood of beer as Michael Jackson used to say.
Boojum Balsam Brown Ale has an alcohol content of 5% by volume with 18 IBUs. I paid $4.67 for a pint at Harrah’s.
My cup of Boojum Balsam Brown Ale arrived a dark brown color with a creamy tan head and chocolate chip cookies in the nose and then the palate. Caramel, brown sugar and molasses all emerge leading into a gently bitter grassy finish.
I like! Thanks Boojum for this delicious, malty brown ale. I will be on the hunt for more.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler