Brownstone - Sixpoint Brewery

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This brew was served from the cask at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY. It arrived in an unmarked nonic. The beer showed a dark brown color, with lightness around the edges. A one finger light brown head showed great retention, leaving light bubbly sheets of lacing around the glass. Carbonation appeared medium, and no sediment was noted. The aroma had notes of almond nuttiness and lightly toasted, but deeply complex, chocolate malts. A clean earthy hop and faint vanilla were there for balance. Our first impression was that this was quite a hoppy brown ale. As we sipped, the first thing noted was a robustly even and floral hop quality, giving a light fruity sweetness. Coffee malts crashed in for a metallic but smooth balance. The middle followed through with the malts, giving lactic sourness at the peak. The hops also continued, becoming a bit more grassy and metallic themselves. We ended on more bittering notes of coffee malts, and more of the same simple hops. Sweetness was of chocolate covered malt balls helped to cut. The aftertaste breathed of dark chocolate and coffee malts, raw cocoa, earthen hops, faint booziness, and red winey nuttiness. The body was thin, with a watery feel throughout, and carbonation was light. There was little cream or slurp, but with decent smack. The mouth is left cooled and wet, with slight puckering coming with the final bitterness of flavor. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was how hoppy it was. These made for a really great balance with those bittering malts. The malts in themselves were complex and dry, but we wished they were a bit more potent in both the nose and the flavoring. This beer was a nice complement to our shepherd’s pie and vinegar fries.

Serving type: cask

04-26-2012 14:49:32 | More by TheBrewo

david18

New York

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was a recent review of the growler version:

Got this at the new whoe foods on the upper west side in Manhattan. The best thing about that place is the growlers. I wanted something light in alchohol. I'm not a huge brown fan but this was really good for the style. YOu could very distinctly discern between the maltiness of the dark malts while still finding light enough in alchohol to drink as a session. With my new found appreciation of this beer I will enjoy it as a session beer in Winter, like a Guiness.

---

The cask version was the same. Good but not overwhelming in any way. Worth trying.

Serving type: cask

03-15-2012 18:20:28 | More by david18

JWU

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask at Bulls Head Public House in Lititz, PA

Light head with moderate lacing.
Smells of malts, brown sugar, and toffee
Taste follows suit, with enough hop to balance out the sweet malty backbone, bit doesn't overpower or dominate.
Medium mouthfeel, leaves the palette a bit dry.
Excellent brown ale, especially on cask!

Serving type: cask

07-18-2010 23:26:03 | More by JWU

AChamberlain

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On cask at the House of Brews on the West 46th. Served at correct temperature. Brownish red color and thin offwhite head. Sweet and raisn aromas. Flavors were hoppy and sweet malts. Smooth and silky. Ultra drinkable, the perfect session. One of the better Sixpoint ales.

Serving type: cask

04-04-2008 02:42:57 | More by AChamberlain

Lupe

New York

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Slightly cloudy and dark brown in color with a small tan head. Decent head retention and sporadic lacing.

Fairly restrained aroma that is biscuity with caramel, nut, and light chocolate roast malt.

Nice malty flavor - slightly sweet with caramel, toasted bread, mild coffee, nuts, and a touch of chocolate nibs. Nuttiness gets more pronounced, which along with the roasted malts and mild hops does a great job of balancing the sweetness. Finishes a little bitter with a quickly fading aftertaste.

Medium bodied, smooth and a little chewy. Very satisfying and drinkable. Brown Ales are not my thing, but this was a very tasty and sessionable one.

Serving type: cask

03-01-2008 16:43:34 | More by Lupe

shaebs99

New York

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on cask a while back at Bobbique and just discovered my notes on it.
Cloudy dark brown with large tan head. Retention and lacing were quite good.
The aroma is mostly biscuity with caramel and slight chocolate malts.
Taste is slightly sweet with tastes of caramel and bread with a bitter finish.
A quality brown ale that I was very happy to find a cask of at Bobbique. Very drinkable. I wouldn't want to limit myself to one beer while here, but I could easily do so with this beer. Looking forward to finding it on-tap elsewhere.

Serving type: cask

08-24-2007 17:56:58 | More by shaebs99

Gavage

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: clear brown with a nice 2" thick fluffy head. Medium lacing.

Smell: malt and caramel sweetness is easily detectable.

Taste: nice big malt base, caramel, hint of chocolate, along with a touch of nuttiness, brown sugar, and earthiness. Bitterness is mild. Solid and hearty brown ale here.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start and smooth at the finish. Very short aftertaste. Medium bodied beer.

Drinkability: great session beer. Easy to drink and leaves you satisifed unlike many other brown ales. Try this if you see it.

Serving type: cask

07-20-2007 14:07:39 | More by Gavage

BBM

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this beer on cask. It poured a medium, cloudy brown with a big tan head, with nice retention and lacing. The smell was reserved; There was a certain bread-like quality to it. But it wasn't overly pronounced.

This is a pretty solid brown ale. The taste is buscuity and caramel malts with bitterness coming through near the finish. Not as sweet as some other browns. Mouthfeel was full and chewy. It was a very filling beer for me, so I don't know that I would call it sessionable, but it's still quite drinkable. Overall a reccomended brown ale from Sixpoint.

Serving type: cask

11-02-2006 18:34:43 | More by BBM

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

16 oz can poured into a shaped pint glass.

Appearance
Mahogany with 3 fingers of creamy, off-white head. Good retention leaves behind decent rings of lacing. Really good clarity with low carbonation.

Nose
Caramel, bread and candy sugars. Hints of nuts and brown sugar.

Taste
Light on the palate. Caramel, brown bread and a dose of candy sugar. Light nuttiness with a touch of brown sugar. Just a hint of piney bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, silky and smooth.

Overall
A little bland in the flavor arena, but very easy drinking.

Serving type: can

05-08-2013 20:51:57 | More by justintcoons

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a sixteen ounce can.

Pours chestnut brown, good 1/4 inch white foam. Fluffy on top. Malty caramel nose. Vanilla too. Rich malty refreshing taste. Light bitter hop in the close. Subtle balanced sweetness. Halfway between a pale and a brown. Flavorful. Really good.

Serving type: can

05-08-2013 01:25:59 | More by KTCamm

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.04/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Ruby caramel tinted mahogany brown body with a fine bubbled cream colored head, nice textured lacing around the sides of my glass. Aroma has some chlorophyll green quality mild citrus leafy tobacco notes, with caramel malt backbone riding thru with a quality bready maltiness. That's where Sixpoint ales win it's there malts they never forget that the hop show is nothing without the base malt, flavor here screams that with a nice bitter hopped up brown ale still able to show off a complex malt base. Semi bitter finish medium to light bodied nothing cloying or holding me back from another drink gravity did all the work, damn where did the beer go...drinkability is insane I want a whole four pack. Damn good balanced but hoppier neo brown ale.

Serving type: can

05-04-2013 00:21:23 | More by WVbeergeek

tdm168

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - dark caramel amber with a large, thick, dense, brownish head that has great retention

S - caramel, faintly nutty, citrusy

T - caramel, big citrusy hop character, mild piny bitterness, an underlying nuttiness

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is really a nice beer. It has the hallmarks of a traditional brown ale with big caramel notes and a faint nuttiness. This beer, however, brings a big hop punch with an intense citrus character and solid, balanced bitterness. This is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: can

04-23-2013 22:53:17 | More by tdm168

BeerNotes

Ohio

4.34/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Dark brown in color, pretty clear. Pours with a 1/4-inch eggshell head that dissipates quickly, but leaves some lacing on the way down.

S: Full malt aroma. A slight hint of toffee and nuts with just the tiniest bit of hops.

T: The malt from the nose is big up front, like a traditional brown ale. Hints of chocolate. Halfway down, the hops kick in and finish out the flavor.

M: Creamy on the tongue, but finishes a bit prickly and dry.

O: A really interesting take on a brown ale. The hop flavoring — and where it kicks in — makes this a surprisingly refreshing darker brew. The transition between the malts up front and hops in the back is a bit weird, and really the only downside to the flavor combination. It was a really smart move by Sixpoint to release this when they did, as the beer is a great segue from lighter, refreshing summer beers to the Märzens/Oktoberfests and pumpkin ales of the fall.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 18:29:55 | More by BeerNotes

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.64/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

16 oz can into a pint glass.

A: Pours an attractive chestnut brown color. The head is a two finger offwhite shade that isn't particularly creamy-looking. The lacing, however, is fantastic.

S: On the first inhale, it seems like it's overly hoppy...but the hop profile seems to fade a touch as it warms up. This allows the notes of brown sugar, molasses, cola, and nuts to appear next to the citrusy/grapefruit hops. I'm actually intrigued - this smells like it will work!

T: And actually, it kind of does. Dry nuttiness opens the flavor profile up, before finishing with a combination of citrusy hops and sweet, vaguely chocolaty malts. Good cohesion between the hop/malt interplay helps make it surprisingly pleasant, but there is a lack of depth here.

M: A bit thin, and not particularly creamy. The feel is nicely balanced between sweet and bitter, though, and it drinks easily.

O: Very solid - one of the better Sixpoint offerings I've had. Hopped-up dark beers tend to be hit or miss, and I'd reckon this is an almost unqualified hit (and needless to say, it works FAR better than Diesel did). I say almost because it does lack a couple things, such as complexity, but I'd have no trouble revisiting this one again.

Serving type: can

03-22-2013 21:18:15 | More by ThisWangsChung

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Light cola pour from the can appears a dark mahogany brown in the vessel. The head is 2 fingers plus, beach sand coloring, with a spongy and porous texture atop. Retention stays long, while a rush of effervesce quickly rises to the occasion beading up and rebuilding the head. Thick stratified frothy ring lacing condescends the vessel.

S: Nutty aroma, some spicy cola.

T: Dry nuttiness, cola and roasted chestnuts with some coffee are prominent on the open. Dry earthy bitterness, grey earl tea, deep malted tones add depth. Spicy cardamon, sweet dry nutty warming with a hint of woodsy hops, dry pine and underbrushing.

M: lively with carbonation, tingling and dancing on the tongue while a warm and dry nuttiness provides a powdery and alkaline like coating on departure.

O: Overall a beer that is intriquing with many layers of complexity when savored and slowly explored, yet just as enjoyable to drink in multiples just kicking back. 6 pack worthy. and yes i couldnt help but hum Mr. brownstone by gnr during drinking.

Serving type: can

03-14-2013 22:55:18 | More by beerthulhu

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From the 16 oz. can stamped on the bottom with: Best Before 26 Apr 2013. Sampled on March 13, 2013.

This pours a handsome looking brown color with a big, puffy cream colored head the sits on top for the session. There is a slight cloudiness giving it that home brew feel.

The short description for the aroma is sweet but the characters are malts, nuts, and a mellow, subtle earthy hop note tickling my nose.

The body is medium with a touch of acidity.

Up front the taste is alive with sweet, flavorful malts, caramel as it warms, and a low to moderate hop bitterness on the tail end that gently goes to sleep as you finish it off. This is the kind of brown ale that I like.

Serving type: can

03-12-2013 21:28:57 | More by puboflyons

Ego

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

eyes...
half a finger of groovy white head, decent lacing, cloudy brown, not in the opaque realm, carb seems to run to the top in various speeds but does not clutter the glass, the head dissipates relatively quickly

nose...
good evening, hello hops
upfront hop-age with a malty roast tone blanket lying underneath, the hops lean pine with a hint of citrus but mostly on the herbal scale of things, there is just a smidge of caramel malt in there as well, definitely a pleaser, nothing stunning but really nice

mouth etc...
smooth drinking with active prickly carbonation, the mouthfeel is great, really makes this uber drinkable
the flavor is not hop destroyed which the nose might lead you to believe, the hops are in balance here, in fact everything is, you get a nice punch of bitter in the long run but mostly this is a smooth ride of malty slightly roasty medium bodied joy ride,

verdict?
sure, this is more bitter than many browns, and sometimes I can't stand when hops kill a style, that said... this one blends really nicely, a nice one for hop heads to enjoy and yet maybe you can slip this in among friends ... maybe <insert evil grin here>
kudos to 6point on this one

Serving type: growler

03-03-2013 04:55:20 | More by Ego

dar482

New York

3.44/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color is light brown with a decent amount of foamy head.

It has a good brown malt flavor, but it is a bit short on the flavor. It's soft and drinkable, but nothing very exciting. It's a decent brown ale, but nothing I'd go crazy over. I don't generally care for brown ales without the load of flavor that this lacks.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2013 05:41:29 | More by dar482

StJamesGate

New York

3.58/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear oxblood with lumpy creamy eggshell head that crusts.
Orange rind, carob, and roasted peanuts on the nose.
Cran-apple, brown toast, some hazelnut, a bit of caraway in there, then lots of citrus oil hops.
Butter shortbread ending and tingly linger.
Lt-med, crisp, some cling.

A bit thin, undermalted and overhopped. A maybe a bit stale? Either way, not easy for a brown or sweet enough to justify 6%.

Sixpoint continues to underwhelm.

Serving type: can

02-28-2013 01:33:39 | More by StJamesGate

ONUMello

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can poured into a pint glass
A: Opaque medium-brown color with a solid two-finger head that slowly settles
S: Roasted malt, some nuttiness and a hint of hops
T: Quite nutty which I enjoy, amber waves of grain and just a hint of citrus from the hops
M: Medium-bodied, a touch watery but smooth/balanced overall
O: Very solid, nothing earth-shattering but I will definitely be picking up more, not to pour into a glass and give a full analysis/write-up but to kick back and sip as this will be a fantastic session beer

Serving type: can

02-27-2013 05:00:38 | More by ONUMello

cyclonece09

Virginia

4.09/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 16 oz can into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a cloudy brown with slight red hints with an off white head. Smells of earthy hops, surprising for a brown ale. Tastes of dark malt and earthy hops, nice combination. Carbonation is right for its light body and goes down smooth. Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: can

02-25-2013 00:15:14 | More by cyclonece09

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Snagged a single for $2.69 at Vintage Estates.

A - A nice deep clear brown hue with a 1/4 inch of head that seems to settle into a mild lace ring.
S - rather hoppy for a brown ale, citrus hops, brown malt, and some chocolate notes.
T - Quite good as other said the taste grows on you. Not too sweet or bitter just fruity with the house yeast, some brown malts, and a splash of citrus hops in the finish. Has mild roasty tones.
M - Quite light for a brown ale still kind of chewy and moderately filling.
Overall I would get this again it's a pretty solid brown ale.

Serving type: can

02-17-2013 04:32:42 | More by DrDemento456

JK4Stout

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Great head to be from a can. This only my second ever six point brew, so maybe they all are like that. This definately calls for further testing. Pours very clear and lighter than some brown ales are known to be.

S: Very sweet on the nose. Reminds me of the house after we set up the chocolate fountain for the kids. You know how it doesn't quite smell like chocolate, but still something sweet. Maybe my fountain smells like Brownstone. No real POW to it though...had to really get in there to find it.

T: It is fine. A good quality brown, but still feels like there is something lacking...I had this same problem with the other sixpoint brew I reviewed. I do enjoy the fruity hints on the tale end though. Actually as I sat here I had to bump my score up a notch. it grows on you.

M: I love the mouthfeel of canned beers. something in them just feels more filling and meatier. Not sure what...will have to do some research.

O: I enjoy this beer, but just can't seem to get bored with it for a full four pack of this one. I'm sure I'll try it again someday, but it isn't one of those I feel must stay in the fridge at all times.

Serving type: can

02-16-2013 22:01:21 | More by JK4Stout

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poursbrown with maybe ruby high lights. A beige head sits on top with a dense body and lingers . Good lacing too.
Aroma is light but has slightly roasted smell some biscuit malts and cocoa nibs.
Taste has a nice depth of flavor with a slightly roasted malt bill and some biscuit notes. Drinks sweet but has a slight bitter finish. Easy drinking and a silky smooth feel with depth of character.It's a winner in my opinion. Can I have another one please.

Serving type: can

02-10-2013 12:49:18 | More by micromaniac129

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Ever since the Cosby show, I've wanted to live in a brownstone somewhere. Call me weird. Anyway, this stuff pours a mostly clear sienna topped by a finger of glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises honey-laden biscuit, light maple syrup, mild grass, light walnut, and a hint of incredibly vague citrus rind way in the background. The taste brings in more of the same, with a stronger contingent of grass, a slightly stronger contingent of citrus, and a dried version of the honey and syrup. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a pretty nice little brown ale, nothing overtly special, but a decent option for the style.

Serving type: can

02-05-2013 21:51:40 | More by TMoney2591