Review Date 11/24/2015
Try? Re-buy?
Pssst. Hey Ben and Jerry. I’ve got some advice for you. Stick to ice cream, which of course you do so well. Beer? Not so much, at least as far as New Belgium Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Brownie Ale is concerned. We’ll see why shortly, but before I commence to slamming this beer (sorry folks), I’ll first avow that I have nothing but respect for both firms concerned. Both Ben & Jerry’s and New Belgium are environmentally aware and active companies. I respect that, and I like their beer and ice cream.
At least, separately I do. I did have high hopes for their collaborative brew, but New Belgium Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Brownie Ale didn’t live up to the hype. Not that it’s a bad beer, but with both of these brands involved, I was expecting a home run, and I got a base hit.
From the New Belgium website:
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream beer. Our newest collaboration with Ben & Jerry’s brings together two different types of pint-makers for one common goal: To help Protect Our Winters combat climate change. When two foodie B Corps join forces for good, delicious ideas are created. Our Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale scoops the lip-smacking fun of dessert from a bowl right into your pint glass. Brewed with specialty ingredients and a healthy sweet tooth, this beer’s rich chocolaty, salted-caramel, vanilla goodness is worth savoring to the last drop. Reward yourself, and dig in!
Ingredients from the website:
Hops: Nugget, Goldings
Malts: Pale, Caramel Munich, Chocolate Malt
Fruits/Spices: Chocolate, Vanilla, Salts
New Belgium Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Brownie Ale has an alcohol content of 6.3% by volume with 14 IBUs. I saw it first at target for $8.54 a six-pack but, knowing Taco Mac had it on tap I had a mug there for $7.
That mug of New Belgium Ben & Jerry’s Salted Caramel Brownie Ale arrived a soft brown color with a light creamy head and a gentle nose of chocolate and a hint of toasted nuts. Taking a sip, I got a decent English brown ale in flavor albeit a bit stronger in alcohol. The beer seemed thinner in body than I expected, though, too thin really to call forth images of a brownie on the palate. I wanted thick chocolate fudge notes, but only got the slightest hint of chocolate. The salt was barely perceptible and the caramel? Not much of that there either. Just a soft cookie-like maltiness with a very gentle grassy hop finish to balance it off.
If you’ve read my reviews in the past, you know well my thoughts on a beer like this. If you’re going to call a beer Salted Caramel Brownie Ale, it had better taste like a salted caramel brownie. This one doesn’t, and while I’m glad I tried it, I wouldn’t rebuy it.
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