ACME California Brown Ale
North Coast Brewing Co.

ACME California Brown AleACME California Brown Ale
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From:
North Coast Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Brown Ale
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 11.51%
Reviews:
96
Ratings:
105
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 23, 2021
Added:
Nov 01, 2001
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.99 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 23, 2021
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a mug, the appearance was a murky brown color with a finger’s worth of white foamy head that fell off at a decent pace. Stringy sliding lace. The aroma had some roasted nuts, light caramel/toffee malts up front and then had some sweet cherry wood coming out as it warmed. Light toast and then some butterscotch softened the edges. Light earthy hops. The flavor blended all of the previously mentioned aromas together for the most part and lightly touched the aftertaste. Finish is malty and lenient on the cherry wood. Seemed more like cherry sweetness on the finish. The feel was about medium bodied and punching the carbonation with a little bit of those earthy hops I smelled earlier. ABV felt as projected. Overall, nicely done brown ale worthy of having again.
Jun 06, 2017
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
There's those weak ass brown ales that come in clear bottles from across the pond, and then there is a more sturdy appearance. This is the more sturdy version. Small off white head, 1/5". Aroma had that brown malt and wood vibe.

Taste hits the usual brown malt notes, smooth, light roast. Toffee. Some hops to it giving it around 30ibu of bitterness. Crisp and earthy at the same time. Chewy. Not a big mover style wise, but it was a more than competent beer.
Oct 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.58 by MustyDusty from Illinois

May 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by zestar from California

Aug 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by GRG1313 from California

Jun 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by harpus from Alabama

Jan 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by buzzy from Pennsylvania

Jul 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by shelby415 from Oregon

Feb 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

Nov 22, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Nov 20, 2011
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The pour was decent enough, amber color with a few hints of copper sprinkled in throughout the glass. Nice carbonation could be seen coming up to the top of the glass through the good clarity. A smallish head of maybe a half an inch in height settled down to all but nothing after a few moments.

The aroma was nice as well, nothing earth shattering going on here for sure, but still decent enough. Light piney hops with a hint of a balanced, earthy grain in the middle. More of the same in the flavor, again nothing blowing my socks off here. Taste was a bit light for me, not so much watered down, well maybe actually. Started with some light hops that were just enough to perk my head up before they faded and were washed clean by a rather muted profile that just left me looking for something more to drink. Just did not have that kick I would like it to have, Crisp and clean, refreshing with a light body that did make it rather nice to drink.

Overall I would chalk this one down to nice, but forgettable. An average pale ale with a touch of hops that were too faint to really make a difference. Not the worst by any means, but don't think I would be at a loss if I did not have it again.
May 03, 2011
Photo of Beerandraiderfan
Reviewed by Beerandraiderfan from Nevada

3.26/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A sturdy looking brown, good viscosity. Head didn't form so well, but what was there had nice lacing and retention. Woody brown ale smell.

Taste, rich, smooth as advertised. Does what a brown ale is supposed to, just not my thing. Someone else could probably rave about the mellow complexity, mild qualities, but you know he's probably a pasty nerd. This one is a little more than average hopping.

Not bad, just expensive for my enjoyment level.
Aug 21, 2010
Photo of ThreeWiseMen
Reviewed by ThreeWiseMen from California

3.1/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
The following is a collective review from several tastings.

Appearance: One finger of rich, foamy, tan head sat perched atop a cloudy auburn body. Decent head retention, but hit-and-miss lacing: creamy, notch-like pattern one time; weak stringing smatterings another.

Smell: Cardamom, rum-like alcohol, real maple syrup, caramel and chocolate. The first time I had this, it smelled like straight Milk Duds. The second time I got lots of cardamom, maple, and other spices, though chocolate and caramel were still apparent. Each time the aroma was sweet and interesting. Very interesting. I even got hints of red currants and the occasional pecan. Very sweet and strong. I liked it, but I didn't get much hop character. There might - MIGHT - have been some citric hops lurking in the background, but that was it.

Taste: Not nearly as sweet as indicated by the smell. This taste was very nutty with a touch of caramel. Grassy hops and some mild spiciness (including a pinch of salt) rounded out each sip, and I got some mild chocolate undertones, too. The aftertaste was malt-focused each time, and on one occasion quite stale. Grassy, salty hops - tasted like a mix of Amarillo and Chinook - came through stronger in some bottles than others. Once again, this was interesting; but all-in-all it was just alright. Finished flat, boring, and even a little stale at times.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, nicely carbonated, malty, and chewy. Hops added some light bitterness that could be felt along the sides of the palate, but make no mistake: this beer is all about the malt. Finished boring and flat, and the aftertaste wasn't very good. Luckily, that aftertaste didn't linger for any longer than a couple of seconds. Meh.

Drinkability: I feel like this brown ale has a lot of potential, but as it stands it certainly needs improvement. I was very unimpressed with the finish, and it didn't have the balance I was looking for. Still, I'm not upset with my purchase. I'll gladly have another at a later date. A pretty effortless drink.
Sep 20, 2009
Photo of SurlyDuff
Reviewed by SurlyDuff from Oregon

3.47/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Slight hazy with some amber colors. Weak little head but ample carbonation.

Some grainy and nutty sweetness, but not really much complexity. Slight molassas and some whole-grain bread. A slight bitter citrus twang in the finish.

Decent drinkability and smooth mouthfeel. Overall a good beer, but forgettable.
Aug 11, 2009
Photo of tmoneyba
Reviewed by tmoneyba from Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottle.

Poured hazy brown color with an average creamy light brown head that was lasting with good lacing. Good balanced sweet malt and nutty aroma. Medium body with a sticky texture. Moderate sweet malty flavor with a small bitter finish.

Drinkable but not great.
Nov 16, 2008
Photo of nick76
Reviewed by nick76 from Florida

3.44/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
The aroma has toffee, caramel, nuts and toasted malt. The appearance is rich amber brown with a medium head. The flavor has all the elements of the aroma plus a little fruit, wood, and coffee. There is more bitterness here than expected or should be for that matter. Thin palate. Overall it's good tasting but the taste profile is not like a Brown Ale should be.
Nov 11, 2008
Photo of beerthulhu
Reviewed by beerthulhu from New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured a dark amber when held up to the light with a light beige head that settled to a slight foamy layering.

S: bready with a nice nutty aroma (almonds), with a sweet dried fruitiness.

T: starts out with a nice smooth and light roastedness with some nutbread and sweet caramel/brown sugar. There was a nice nuttiness as well a spicy hoppiness.

M: light with a smooth texture, slightly creamy.

D: A light drinking brown making for a decent pub session drink.
May 20, 2008
Photo of JohnGalt1
Reviewed by JohnGalt1 from Idaho

3.6/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz from the basement cooler.. I think it's from Cost Plus.. price tag says $1.40.. poured into my New Belgium tulip.

Off white head.. nice chesnut/lite walnut ... slightly hazy..minimal lacing.

Toasted malt and low caramel malts.. some vanilla.. a little bready.. reminds me of cookie dough.

Flavor is toasted and slight roasted.. low hop bitterness and a light bourbon finish.. better as it warms.. sorta like an amped up English brown. some cocoa and nuttiness as it approaches room temperature. Medium body and low but ever present carbonation.

I've always liked this beer and wish the Coop still carried it.. not overpowering in anyway, but still not watery.. A good session beer when you don't want either a malt or hop bomb.
Jan 18, 2008
Photo of adammills
Reviewed by adammills from Michigan

3.92/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a copper body, hazy, with a sligh creamy head. The head left a touch of patchy foam on the sides of the glass. Smells and tastes of toasted malt and nuts, pleasing. This is a nice solid beer. Drinks easily and has some nice complexity too, not a wower, or a snoozer. Just a hint of hops in the back, citrusy, but it does not linger. The carbonation is appropriate, soft. The bitterness seems to come out a bit more toward the bottom of the glass. I drank this beer over about a half hour time period and did notice this as the beer warmed. I do like a nice malty beer, and this one fits the bill.
Nov 27, 2006
ACME California Brown Ale from North Coast Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 105 ratings