Nut Brown Ale - Goose Island Beer Co.

Scrapss

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the local distributor I discovered they had this in 1/6 bbl. It got good reviews so I figured try it! Pour from co2 tap system into a Sam Adams 23 oz Turbinator style glass. Bbl was labeled Illinois sourced keg.

A: dark, looks kinda like a glass of cola. One finger slightly tan head that quickly dissipates into a thin disk. soapy minimal lacing.

S: little chocolate hazelnut, caramel. Minimal hop smell of very slight aromatic citrus.

T: roasted nuts and chocolate abound. Very slight reminder of coffee and bread back there too.

M: medium creaminess due to well balanced carbonation and choice of ingredients. Smooth malty pre-finish. faintly dry ultimate finish.

O: Damn fine quaff. Goose Island delivers a solid nut brown ale with very drinkable characteristics to keep it interesting, a definite have again.

I like this brew because it is light enough to have a few and neutral & interesting enough to have with wings, burgers and other pub type fare. It paired well with spicy-bbq wings I made later for it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2013 19:11:32 | More by Scrapss

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I wouldn't think of this as an American-style brown ale. Not really roasty or hoppy. At best, it reminds me of something a chain brew pub would make.

This particular sampling was a draft poured very cold into a standard mixer glass, about 3/4" tan, spongy head, which died off in 1-2 minutes, leaving some surface suds, though little lace. Assuming enough wheat was added with the intent to enhance head retention, the result was disappointing.

The wheat could, however, account for what I felt was a lighter mouthfeel and more subtle malt flavor than what I had anticipated. Got some mild pale malt flavor and a modicum of honey/caramel sweetness. Roast and toast very subtle, if present at all. At the very least, a little more malt richness, while keeping the light-medium body, would make this more memorable.

As it is, it's alright. Something simple and non-obstructing to go with pub sandwich and fries.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 18:04:35 | More by Bouleboubier

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled on 4/12/2012. Pours slightly hazy reddish brown color with a nice 1-2 finger dense light khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of caramel, chocolate, toast, toffee, nuttiness, dark bread, brown sugar, floral, and slight dark fruitiness. Excellent aromas with great complexity and balance of dark malt notes; with good strength. Taste of caramel, chocolate, toffee, brown bread, nuttiness, toast, brown sugar, floral, and slight dark fruits. Lingering notes of caramel, chocolate, toffee, brown bread, nuttiness, brown sugar, toast, and floral earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and robustness of dark malt flavors; with good complexity and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent brown ale! Great balance and robustness of dark malt flavors; with a great mouthfeel and smooth drinking. A highly enjoyable offering; one of the best brown ales I have had.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:04:46 | More by superspak

riemster

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A- clear dark brown with a red tinge, 1 finger tan head

S- bitter sweet milk chocolate, very nutty, hint of honey

T- roasted nuts lightly covered in chocolate, hazelnut, caramel, little vanilla

M- light bodied, medium carbonation, crisp and refreshing

O- I think this is a fantastic, easily drinkable brown ale. I love the nuttyness. This is my go-to for easy drinking time when I don't want anything heavy.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 01:40:42 | More by riemster

57md

Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours brown with a ruby hue on the edges. There is a half finger of head that dissipates rather quickly. The nose is mildly nutty. The upfront flavor profile is rye bread with a very light touch of malty sweetness. There is a tingly, yet soft dry bitterness on the finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:30:05 | More by 57md

chinchill

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A pint on tap in Florida. Pours dark brown with a very durable, creamy tan head. The aroma suggests a mix of light, medium and, perhaps, some dark malts with a complexity such as one might get from a bit of wild yeast.

Some nice complexity in the taste too, with a overall medium roasted malt base and some earthy British hops.

The feel is very smooth, with good carbonation but a touch too watery.

O: clearly above average for style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2013 01:40:54 | More by chinchill

fx20736

New York

4.39/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, served at cellar temp.

Cola Brown with an attractive cappuchino head, nominal lacing.

aroma: cocoa, cocoa and more cocoa. This one conjures up memories of driving past a chocolate factory.

mouthfeel is superb, silky, mousse-like.

taste: cocoa again, it's like drinking Malt-o-Meal. Scarcely any Hops with just a touch of bitterness in a slightly burnt way.

Notes; Goose Island shows once again that they can give quality English Beers a run for the money. This is a world class beer in my opinion and is stellar in every way. Will become a Winter staple for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 12:52:16 | More by fx20736

dheacck11

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Nice dark cloudy brown, beer bottle color. Thin light tan head.

Potent nose with hints of almond and roastiness. Perhaps a hint of clove.

Taste is very malt forward, with soft notes of caramel, almond, condensed milk.

Very light body with a sharp bite at the end.

A decent brown ale, but lacking in the complexity and body to make it a more American Brown. Seems to be much more in line with a classic English Brown. Glad to have tried it, but not gonna get it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 00:13:45 | More by dheacck11

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.99/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, honey, maple, caramel and a touch hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of honey, maple and caramel. Then a hearty malt character come in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this si a decent brown ale to drink for a while.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 14:02:36 | More by TheManiacalOne

fstorey

Connecticut

3.54/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from a bottle into a pint mug

A - Very dark brown, nearly opaque with a ruby hue visible around the edges. Head is thin and fine but persists with nice lacing.

S - Earthy nut smell is prominent. I particularly like this aspect of the beer.

T - simultaneous sweetness and piney hops bitterness.

M - moderate body, close to a porter; nice maltiness; significant carbonation on the tongue.

O - Balance is on the sweet side, but not remarkably so. A good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 01:19:38 | More by fstorey

Bear1964

Nebraska

4.24/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

From bottle to a pint glass, nice dark brown with a creamy tan head. The smell held roasted notes and Carmel hints with brown sugar depth. The taste followed suit with a solid rich roasted malty flavor, sweetness a contrasting bitter at the end. Mouthfeel is right on target as its thick enough to be hearty but is so easy to drink it could be a everyday beer, I truly enjoyed this beer....and will again soon.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 19:26:06 | More by Bear1964

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.59/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A 355ml bottle with a bottled-on date of April 12th 2012. Picked up a little while back from Trembling Madness in York.

Poured into a straight pint glass. Bottle conditioned(?). A deep reddish-brown hue with faint haze and low carbonation. Produces a huge head of creamy light brown foam that hangs around for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of sweet caramel malt with notes of roasted grain, chocolate, nuttiness, brown sugar, dried fruit, mild port, earthy yeast and faint stewed hops. There is a whisper of hoppy pine in the background, as well as a subtle twinge of sourness. Pretty good.

Tastes of sweet caramel malt with a dry finish. Notes of caramel/toffee, chocolate, roasted grain, nuts, brown sugar, dried fruit, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Faint pine resin in the background, followed by a mild bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and lightly tingly, but rather flat and lacking in texture. Decent body for the style - could perhaps be a tad thicker. Slightly astringent, with an aftertaste of caramel malt, chocolate and earthy yeast.

Pretty good; it goes down easily enough. Plenty of dark malt notes along with some chocolate and a residual sweetness. The aroma is satisfyingly complex, while the flavour seems a little muted by comparison. The body is slightly thin, and where has the carbonation disappeared to? Overall, a decent malty brew that suits the colder months of the year. Worth sampling if you come across it.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:24:30 | More by jazzyjeff13

Tupperwolf

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Pours out a perfectly crystal clear brown, I force pour a frothy head that disappears almost immediately. This beer has a rich amber hue when held up to the light; No head means no lacing. Zero haze, zero visible carbonation.

The nose is honey, chocolate, and nuts with some sweet sourdough bread notes, and the flavor is spot on, in perfect harmony with the scents it produces. This is a quaffable malty brew with nary a hop to be tasted, and it is really delicious!

Mouthfeel is smooth and light, not too syrupy or sticky. There is very little carbonation to speak of in my sample but I find myself enjoying the way this beer goes down.

Overall a really delightful nutty brown beer, I could see myself drinking pint after pint of this with a good book in front of a roaring fireplace!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 01:34:47 | More by Tupperwolf

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this into a pint glass. It has a black color body with a small tan head, that doesn't hang around long. The aroma has a roasted malt aroma with a touch of chocolate.
The taste has a great roasty malt flavor, with a chocolate hint to it. Also the a nutty finish to it makes it very tasty.
The mouth feel is really good and overall a really good brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:00:22 | More by chefhatt

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Deep, dark brown. Looks almost black in my light. Short, tannish head that didn't stick around for too long.

Smell: Delightful! Smelling the malts for sure, but also a choco-nut scent, and a touch of honey.

Taste: Roasty, malty, a little nutty and slightly honey-sweet. This is really good, though the bottle suggests a touch of evidence hops that I just don't get. I don't think I'd want it though. I like this a lot and I would happily drink one any time.

Mouthfeel: I dig that this is a little lighter than I expected, actually. Makes it an easy drink. Pretty standard carbonation though.

I really enjoyed this beer and I'd be down for another basically any time.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 03:31:43 | More by ColdWaffles

Clones21

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a bottle of this and poored into a pint glass. Smell is very nutty and chocolate like. Taste is exactly the same as the smell. This is by far my new favorite Brown Ale. The first time I tryed this was at a bar and my friend bought me one of these bad boys...and wow! I was amazed how great of a beer it was. Big props to Goose Island on this one. VERY worth a try!

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 22:47:58 | More by Clones21

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – Poured a deep brown colored brew with a two finger tan head. The head had a moderate level of retention, fading over time to give a medium level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma was heaviest of roasted malt and some sweet smells of caramel and brown sugar. Mixed with these aromas and as the name would imply is a strong aroma of roasted almonds.

Taste – The taste begins of roasted malt mixed with some of the sweet caramel that was detected in the nose. As the taste advances further other sweet buttery toffee flavors and some chocolate also come to the tongue as well as a nut flavor. While initially the nuttiness was light as the taste advances to the end it becomes more pronounced. When a light earthy hop joins the roasted nut at the end it gives a very light bitter balance to the sweet and leaves a very pleasant aftertaste to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of creaminess with a carbonation level that is rather average as well.

Overall – This is a quite tasty brew. It is sweet, roasty and nutty. Quite an easy drinker

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:52:44 | More by Darkmagus82

wac9

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

well what i say very surprise by the beer what a great color in my glass and the best tasteing brown i ever taste woth chocolate and honey how can you go wrong, well you this beer will put a smile on your face doesnt leave an aftertaste in your mouth and it has a great pour your mouth will start watering when you see it so sit back drink a few oh so good

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 01:19:36 | More by wac9

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance
Deep mahogany brown with a short white head. Moderate carbonation and good clarity.

Nose
Caramel, brown sugar and nuts.

Taste
Caramelized brown sugar and a big nutty profile. Definitely some hazelnut. Notes of dusted cocoa. Hints of molasses and coffee. An ever so slight leafy hop aroma in there.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, smooth, crisp and almost silky.

Overall
This is how I want my Brown's to taste. Sweet and flavorful while still remaining very easy drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 13:59:36 | More by justintcoons

socon67

New York

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Brown color with a beige foam that retained rather well. Minimal carbonation and lacing.

S - Smells of fresh hazelnuts, english toffee and drak malt. A very pleasant blend that seemed to open up a bit over time. Really had a good scent for the fall.

T - Nice blend of english malt that had a sweetness of toffee and caramel. The toasted almond flavor was strong in the finish. I was quite impressed with how this went with lunch.

M - Good balance, is gentle on the palate while bringing plenty of flavor. I was digging this one.

O - Why don't I see this as much in NY? Maybe the In-Bev deal will change that, because this matches up well with any fall seasonal out there. I'll have another.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 21:50:15 | More by socon67

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 11/1/12 Tasting Notes...
Enjoyed on tap at Monk's Bar and Grill. Served in a pint glass, pretty much ice cold.

A) Chestnut brown in color. There was not much head. A thin collar remained. There was a bit of lacing on the pint.

S) Had to let warm up a bit, as the aroma was muted by the temperature initially. This had a nice darker malt scent, light roast, quite nutty, with a little Heath Bar.

T) Follows the nose, with plenty of toasted malt, good amount of nutty flavor, a little toffee, and nice earthy hops. Good aftertaste...

M) Medium body with light to moderate carbonation. Finishes a little dry, but really very smooth with very good drinkability.

O) Solid brown ale. Truthfully, it really hit the spot ice cold. Then with some warmth, proved to have all the characteristics I look for in the style. Glad to recommend...

Paired with the Monster Burger and sweet potato fries.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 19:41:57 | More by RoamingGnome

argock

Virginia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a 20 oz smooth imperial pint at Goose Island Clybourne (Chicago, IL).

A: Dark brown with ruby edges with a short 1/4 finger plush light beige head with decent retention and plenty of lace.

S: Cocoa and medium-dark crystal malts dominate the aroma, but there is definitely a kick of citrus and floral in the nose as well.

T: The flavor is carried by milk chocolate, cocoa, and roasted dark malt with some lighter tobacco notes as it warms. The hops bitterness is relatively subdued but the orange and grapefruit citrus provides a nice counter to the heavy dose of chocolate.

M: Very clean and smooth with more body than the ABV would predict but with plenty of drinkability.

O: Another winner from Goose Island -- this brew really treads the line of sweetness, chocolate, and maltiness very well while providing some interesting hop character.

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2012 19:06:14 | More by argock

claspada

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On draft at Lost Dog in Arlington, Virginia.

Pours a dark cola brown color with a bubbly tan head that slowly recedes leaving bits of lacing along the glass.

Aromas begin with lots and lots of toasted dark brown bread with emerging amounts of mocha and nuts as it warms. Some underlying English fruity yeast esters emerges as it warms.

The tastes begin with some sweet brown bread maltiness, with the nutty and mocha flavor developing by mid-palate. As it warms you get a little more honey whole wheat bready sweetness and some light caramel as well.

The mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finish is mainly slightly sweet and toasted.

Overall this is one of the better American Brown ales considering how low the ABV is. Most sessionable Brown ales are super watery and flavorless, but this is quite enjoyable and something I would definitely revisit down the road.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 16:56:36 | More by claspada

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a nice deep brown color, a light tan colored head on top with a good retention and lacing on the glass. The aroma of the beer had a big malt nose with a healthy amount of roasted nuts also. There is a decent amount of yeast aromas too. The taste of the beer is nicely roasted, it's sweet too up front and finishes with a good bitterness. The mouthfeel of this beer is creamy and smooth, subtle carbonation and very drinkable. Overall this beer is quite good in my opinion. I would enjoy this one over and over again I think.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 01:06:10 | More by Knapp85

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Looks like a dark stout, yet definitely has the dark brown hue of a nut ale. Excellent foam, lacing, and thickness.

Smell: Roasted nuts, coffee, and toffee.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Initially some thick smoky sweetness. Then the coffee flavors hit. Finishes with a clean sweetness and more roasted nuts. It's been a while since I've actually had this, but I definitely know that I absolutely loved it.

Overall: My favorite brown ale. Easily.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 02:57:39 | More by tjsdomer2