Interestingly, the brewery considers this an American Brown ale. I wouldn’t myself, since the hops are far too restrained for that style. The malt body is big enough for an American brown (Old Brown Dog has an original gravity of 1.060, slightly higher than average). Alcohol is a bit higher too at 5.7% by volume. The problem is the hops, though Cascades are used as they are in American Browns such as Brooklyn Brown and Pete’s Wicked Ale, there just aren’t enough of them. In terms of both bitterness and aroma, the malt overwhelms the hops. Indeed, the brewery specs list bitterness at 15 IBUs, certainly not enough to stand up to all the malt here. That said, this is a delicious brew and one not to be missed.

IBUS, in case you’re wondering, are International Bitterness Units, a measure of bitterness in the beer. It is a relative term, not an absolute one, since the maltier the beer the more it will balance off the bitterness

The dog on the label is Olive, the brewery’s Old Brown Dog. Your dog can be an Old Brown Dog too, and it needn’t be old or brown to qualify. Just being a dog is enough! Smuttynose has a pin-up page where they’ll post a picture of your dog if you send it to them.

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale pours to a deep chestnut color with a light creamy head formation and a sweet malty nose. The palate is big and malty; there’s a generous chocolate character here, a touch of fruit, and a sweet, nutty-malty finish with just the faintest of hops buzzes. Old Brown Dog is definitely malt dominated beer, definitely an American Brown in malt body but hopped like an English brown.

I enjoyed the beer tonight with roasted chicken and baked potatoes.

Update 12/29/2013: Out to pick up dinner before the Patriots game today and stopped into Taco Mac because I saw they had Smuttynose Old Brown Dog on tap. This was a staple for me in Rhode Island and I still buy it in bottles here in GA. Just a wonderful beer, the soft chocolate chip cookie maltiness with hints of molasses and raisin, light nuttiness and gentle dose of hops that allow the beer to finish sweet (but not too sweet) make this one a classic. I think I love this more than ever, and although just a bit pricey at $6.50 a pint (20 ounces for me), it's worth it (Old Brown Dog now runs $9.99 a six-pack here in bottles). Adding a 1/2 star to this one for old times sake (and because it's so good).



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