Brown ale night! That’s what tonight is. I had just finished my very first ever Moose Drool Brown Ale, and also having a can of Bell’s Best Brown Ale on hand, decided to compare them. Unlike the Moose Drool, I had enjoyed Bell’s Best Brown before, though never took notes on it. I picked up a pint can of it in December at Total Wine, and tonight its time had arrived.

Both of these beers are American Brown Ales, which means I expect more dark malt and more hops from them. Bell’s says of their Best Brown:

A smooth, toasty beer that offers hints of cocoa and caramel. Brewed with American hops, Best Brown™ is well-balanced and bridges the gap between lighter-bodied beers and malty stouts. The owl hopefully agrees (you never know with owls).

Interestingly, Big Sky calls their Moose Drool Brown Ale THE BEST AMERICAN BROWN ALE IN THE WORLD! Bell’s, on the other hand, feels theirs is best. Which is the real champion? I’m about to let you know, but first, a little more about Bell’s Best Brown Ale.

Bell’s Best Brown Ale has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume and 34 IBUs. Total wine sells it for $9.99 a six-pack in cans or bottles, and $7.49 for a 4-pack of pint cans. The latter is actually the best deal. My can is stamped PKGD 081320 and it has an inbounding sticker to Total Wine of 10/24/2020. I drank it on 2/25/2021, so it is just a few weeks over the six-month shelf-life Bell’s suggests.

Bell’s Best Brown Ale pours to a, well, brown color with a creamy rocky white cap of foam and a nose of cookie malts. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body with more of the soft cookie malts the nose promised. Compared to the Moose Drool I had just prior, this has lighter chocolate notes but is quite tasty and finishes balanced to gently bitter. Lots of nutty notes here, and a hint of caramel, too.

Drum roll please…..and the winner is…..Moose Drool Brown Ale! I found that beer to be maltier and hoppier than the Bell’s beer. Of course, you cannot lose with either one, and I will for sure be buying Bell’s Best Brown Ale again.

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

Try?

Rating

Home

Re-buy?