Try?
Is there a style
left that Boston Beer, the makers of the Samuel Adams line of brews, hasn’t
made yet? Sure, though the numbers are dwindling. Boston Beer founder and
all around beermeister Jim Koch certainly loves his beer, and he goes to
great lengths to made a great number of beer styles widely represented and
available throughout the country.
The latest example of this is Samuel Adams Brown Ale. Boston Beer just recently rolled out their brown ale, and in a big way. Just this past Saturday, I strolled into a local liquor store in search of a few brews for the weekend. The first thing that caught my eye was Samuel Adams Double Bock, my favorite beer among the many Boston Beer brews.
I knew the Brown ale was being introduced too, and decided to look for it. And boy, did I find it. I first spied it available in sampler 12-packs, along with an assortment of other Samuel Adams Beers. This is the fashion that the beer was said to be rolled out in. But wait. Before I could grab one, I also saw the Brown ale in six-pack “Brewmaster’s Collection” samplers. And if that weren’t enough, I finally noticed it in entire six-packs, and that’s what I bought.
Samuel Adams Brown Ale follows in the footsteps of its illustrious colonial namesake with a democratic heritage all its own. That’s because beer enthusiasts around the country had the chance to choose between this beer and a Bohemian-style pilsner as the new beer to be included in the late winter, early spring sampler pack.
Some may dispute the high marks I am giving this beer, but I think for the type of beer Boston Beer was targeting (Newcastle Brown Ale , or perhaps even Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale ), they hit the nail right on the head. And they succeeded in giving us a gently sweet and nutty, easily drinkable quaffing brew. This one will probably be here to stay, folks.
Ingredients from the website. Brown Ale is Crafted with an interesting blend of two-row malt, including Harrington, Metcalfe, Caramel, Munich, roasted Carafa, and Maris Otter, long a brewers favorite for its rich flavor. As a result of this malt blend, the malt flavor is complex and full-bodied, with notes of biscuit, toast, and caramel. The Brown Ale shines with a deep mahogany luster. Bavarian Noble Spalt Spalter hops and citrusy English Goldings are included in this satisfying ale. .
Samuel Adams Brown Ale pours to a brownish mahogany color with a thick creamy head and a nutty sweet nose. Allowing the beer to warm slightly allows aromas of molasses and fruit cake to waft to the nose as well. And indeed, this delicate but flavorful brew should be drunk cool, not ice cold, for best results.
As I sipped, I got delightful notes of toasted nuts, chocolate chip cookies, molasses, and toffee. There’s a gentle hop character in the finish, and the beer has a subtle sweetness to it, though it’s not by any means cloying. You can easily drink a lot of this beer, making it a great little session brew.
I don’t think a beer has to be a monster that hits you over the head with malt or hops to get five stars. I love delicate, subtle little brews like this one that still give you flavor and are carefully crafted to do so. This is a beer that many will appreciate, too, not just the hardcore beer geek. And for $5.99 a six-pack, you just can't beat it.
This is a brown that will stick around.
The latest example of this is Samuel Adams Brown Ale. Boston Beer just recently rolled out their brown ale, and in a big way. Just this past Saturday, I strolled into a local liquor store in search of a few brews for the weekend. The first thing that caught my eye was Samuel Adams Double Bock, my favorite beer among the many Boston Beer brews.
I knew the Brown ale was being introduced too, and decided to look for it. And boy, did I find it. I first spied it available in sampler 12-packs, along with an assortment of other Samuel Adams Beers. This is the fashion that the beer was said to be rolled out in. But wait. Before I could grab one, I also saw the Brown ale in six-pack “Brewmaster’s Collection” samplers. And if that weren’t enough, I finally noticed it in entire six-packs, and that’s what I bought.
Samuel Adams Brown Ale follows in the footsteps of its illustrious colonial namesake with a democratic heritage all its own. That’s because beer enthusiasts around the country had the chance to choose between this beer and a Bohemian-style pilsner as the new beer to be included in the late winter, early spring sampler pack.
Some may dispute the high marks I am giving this beer, but I think for the type of beer Boston Beer was targeting (Newcastle Brown Ale , or perhaps even Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale ), they hit the nail right on the head. And they succeeded in giving us a gently sweet and nutty, easily drinkable quaffing brew. This one will probably be here to stay, folks.
Ingredients from the website. Brown Ale is Crafted with an interesting blend of two-row malt, including Harrington, Metcalfe, Caramel, Munich, roasted Carafa, and Maris Otter, long a brewers favorite for its rich flavor. As a result of this malt blend, the malt flavor is complex and full-bodied, with notes of biscuit, toast, and caramel. The Brown Ale shines with a deep mahogany luster. Bavarian Noble Spalt Spalter hops and citrusy English Goldings are included in this satisfying ale. .
Samuel Adams Brown Ale pours to a brownish mahogany color with a thick creamy head and a nutty sweet nose. Allowing the beer to warm slightly allows aromas of molasses and fruit cake to waft to the nose as well. And indeed, this delicate but flavorful brew should be drunk cool, not ice cold, for best results.
As I sipped, I got delightful notes of toasted nuts, chocolate chip cookies, molasses, and toffee. There’s a gentle hop character in the finish, and the beer has a subtle sweetness to it, though it’s not by any means cloying. You can easily drink a lot of this beer, making it a great little session brew.
I don’t think a beer has to be a monster that hits you over the head with malt or hops to get five stars. I love delicate, subtle little brews like this one that still give you flavor and are carefully crafted to do so. This is a beer that many will appreciate, too, not just the hardcore beer geek. And for $5.99 a six-pack, you just can't beat it.
This is a brown that will stick around.
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
