Mild - Surly Brewing Company

herman77

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

A: Semi transparent brown/reddish copper with a decent amount of off-white head.

S: Lightly toasted malt, a hint of sweet malt and coffee.

T: Toasted malt, a little bit of carmel sweetness and coffee. Very lightly hopped, but you can still tell its there to give a little bit of balance. Very straightforward and enjoyable. Tons of taste for just being over 4% ABV.

M/D: A bit on the thin side, a little watery, but understandably so. Somewhat creamy and smooth. Carbonation seems pretty middle of the road. Great drinkability! A session beer no doubt. Easily drink 3+ in a sitting.

If they canned this stuff, I would always have a supply in my fridge.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2010 23:14:00 | More by herman77

camp0474

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap into a Nonic pint at Cafe 28

A: Poured dark red copper color with nice off white head.

S: Smells of toasted malts with hints of light coffee. Also some subtle sweetness.

T: Lots of toasty malts with some caramel sweetness. Some coffee notes within the malts. Some bitterness from some subtle citrus hops. Not overly complex but great flavor for a beer with such a low ABV.

M: Light body and medium carbonation and little on the watery side. Light crisp feel in the mouth, but more than you would expect for a 4% ABV beer.

D: This beer is extremely drinkable. Only had one but could definitely sit and enjoy quite a few.

To bad they don't bottle or can this great beer. I see why they call it a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2010 21:59:52 | More by camp0474

jera1350

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Ngon Bistro.

Semi transparent brown color with a very fluffy tan head that leaves a little lace.

Smells of lightly roasted malt and some coffee.

As I understand, this is not made with coffee, but it sure tastes like it. Quite roasty with some coffee. Light hint of hops. Very tasty for a beer of only 4% abv.

Almost medium bodied which is hard to believe in a beer at 4%. Creamy smooth and enjoyable.

Absolute session beer. This is an all around awesome beer. When I hear "mild", this is not what comes to mind. This looks, tastes and feels like a big beer, but drinks so easy.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2010 22:15:58 | More by jera1350

KeefD

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

OK, so this is an interesting story, at least to me. I stop in at Stub and Herb's, specifically for this beer, and was told before it was even poured that Mild is now being brewed with coffee. I hadn't heard this, but took the bartender's word for it. Pours a dark amber color, nearly brown in the middle, with a small off-white head. Aroma is, well, mild with a touch of coffee, some toffee, and caramel sweetness. Taste follows suit. I was surprised with the coffee flavor in the background. Light caramel, some breadiness, and no bitterness. Medium mouthfeel, light carbonation. Again, I was really surprised by the coffee presence in this beer. It was almost like a watered down coffee bender without any of the dark/roasted maltiness in there. Good, easy drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2010 02:38:45 | More by KeefD

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pint at stubs.

Pours a small layer that fades down fast. Color is a dark ruby hued copper brown.

Aroma: lots of malts, very roasted. Reminds me of a lager(bock). Some caramel. Not to much but more than I expected.

Taste: lots of malts, caramel sticks out a lot. Some grassy hops. Not a lot going on here. Not a lot here but expected.

Mouthfeel: smooth creamy and refreshing. Medium bodied and medium amount of carbonation. Ends a little dry.

Overall, this beer is simple but incredible drinkable. This beer is so easy to drink. I am glad I got to try this. My pint won't last long.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2010 05:40:33 | More by mothman

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The pint glass came with little head - although lacing was evident. Smelt of toasted barley and had a nice subtle barley taste to it with a firm malty body and no bitterness. Seeing as it is 4.2% nobody should be offended if I call this a great session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2010 04:18:01 | More by kjyost

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A= pours a mild brown color... haha clever me. Its a deep amber color. The head is an off white and suprisingly big being on tap at the place I got it from. A nice finger on it that leaves some sketchy lacing.

S= smells a lot like summits great northern porter. Coffe a little roasty and chocolaty. The best description I can give is great northern porter smell.

T= tastes like a mild great northern porter. Pretty good actually. A little coffee and chocolate but a real smooth mild flavor. A little watery though.

M= slick and clean sort of. Watery but its a mild. The flavor doesn't stick too much.

D= very high. Delicious brew for a mild. Smooth flavor and clean finish

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 04:34:46 | More by jjanega08

younger35

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Ever since I got into beers and learned about Surly I was always curious about Surly's version of a mild. Furious and Bender are so incredible that I can only assume their Mild would be bomb.com. Right? Plus I LOVE a good mild. Drank from a Surly pint glass at the #12th best bar in America (which is bullshit because I've been at 3 of the top 10 and S&H is considerably better...).

Appearance- Pours a fairly dark brownish crimson with a somewhat small off-white head. A damned nice cap and collar are left almost the entire beer but not a whole lot of lacing is left.
Smell- Super toasty and nutty. It's got a sort of toasted hazelnut like nose. I know I'm gonna love this because the nose is simple and solid. Like it should be.
Taste- Roasted and toasted as the nutty malt is spot f'n on. I know I've used this before in my homebrewed Mild but it's slightly more aggressive. This is what I wanted mine to be. Some light chocolaty tones creep in as does a touch of smoke. The hops are slightly more noticeable than you'd fully expect from a mild, but this is Surly. A light citric bitterness creeps in the finish with maybe a hint of lemon.
Mouthfeel- Pretty light but able to hold its own all things considered. Medium carbonation that prickly and nice adds to the greatness of this beer.
Drinkability- Must confess. I glanced at the other reviews of this beer as I am reviewing it and was shocked at the scores. I guess I'm a Surly fanboy for the most part (minus shitty Darkness) but this is the best beer I've had from them. I'm far from the style police but this brew is on point. Flavorful, drinkable, and just plain tasty!

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2010 20:51:36 | More by younger35

Mistofminn

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Apparently this style, while not sounding very exotic, is extremely hard to come by in the states. I jumped at the chance to knock this style off my list, and who better to brew it than Surly?

The beer is brown colored with ruby highlights when backlit. A light khaki head is served with the brew, but doesn't stick around for very long. Doesn't leave a ton of lacing, but there is some. Looks like a tasty beer, but the lack of head and retention knock down the score for me. Maybe I'm being too harsh and my standards are unrealistic to the style, I guess I'll have to try more of the style to find out.

The nose comes right out with the caramel malt. Sort of sweet, but earthy at the same time. Definitely malty, with little to no hop presense.

Tastes mild and subdued, but hey what did you expect. I wasn't expecting a palate blaster so this is a nice surprise. Sweet malts and earthy tones blend well nicely with subtle hints of cocoa and toffee. A biscuity maltiness dominates.

Light and crisp, lighter than I expected. I know it's a mild, but it looks heavier than it actually is. Drinkability is pretty good.

This one is hard to judge. I'm a huge Surly fanboy, and maybe they are trying to make a more approachable crossover brew. If thats the angle, they have succeeded ten-fold. This is a great tasting, easy drinking, sessionable dark mild. For my intro to the style, I was impressed and enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2010 02:14:52 | More by Mistofminn

MPLS

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I think when reviewing beers that have 4.2% in mind you certainly have to keep the style in mind. This was had at a Surly event that included a sample of the mystery cask beer - which turned out to be a scotch ale.

A: Brown bodied with red accents. A light brown head that wasn't there for long as the bar tender handed my the pint glass.

S: The nose of this beer was primarily malt, caramel with a sliver of cocoa. What a well mannered boy, but please give me more.

T: There is a lot of flavor for being just 4.2% ABV. The caramel/cocoa that I smelled in the nose is evident in the taste with the caramel dominating most of the flavor. There is a coffee like bitterness to this beer, rather earthy. The finish doesn't linger, sort of reminds me of a mild cocoa cereal.

M: Appropriate for the style - light-medium bodied.

D: This beer has session written all over it, but in Surly's case I'd more towards the Hell especially in the summer months. A good job of creating flavor from a low alcohol beer.

I wonder what will come of this cask scotch ale sample I had?

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2010 02:10:57 | More by MPLS

supercolter

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Hmm, good appearance, no real head but a nice color and very clean looking. Smell and taste are very similar. Light on the malt but some decent flavor from it. Nutty and bitter chocolate with just a hint of dried fruit. Mouthfeel is a bit weak, as I mentioned the malt was a bit light. Drinkability is very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2009 00:32:59 | More by supercolter

AdmiralDiaz

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at the Blue Nile at the Surly Three release party.

A: Pours a deep brown, much darker than I expected it to be. Small off-white head with okay retention and not much lacing. Looks very nice though

S: Very mellow with malty tones accompanied by earthy tones and some caramel/toffee.

T: Mellow and mild of course with strong malts and caramel flavor with some small earth tones and a little bit of clove. For the style it's very good, although mild, as it should be, its complex and delicious!

Overall: Great tasting beer with moderate carbonation that made almost perfect feeling and amazingly drinkable, something I could sip on all day long. Very impressive for the style, another great one from Surly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2009 05:45:02 | More by AdmiralDiaz

optiontwo

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I've been waiting a while to try this one so I was happy to see it was on-tap at Common Roots Café

Appearance: Clear brown with strong ruby hues. Half inch head, not much retention, but nice lacing.

Smell: A clean nut aroma wafts from the glass accompanied by crisp apple and brown sugar. All these aromas are somewhat muted but this isn't an extreme beer so I wasn't expecting an extreme scent.

Taste: The nut brown flavor hits first but is quickly followed by the apple/pear flavors. What is really interesting about this brew is the strong earthy finish (strong in comparison to the rest of the flavors anyway) It isn't the type of earthy I'm used to though, more dirt like than grassy. Reminds me of a mustiness you might find in some whiskeys. Finally there is a tiny nip of bitterness. For some reason, as "mild" as it is this brew makes my mouth water.

Mouthfeel: Nice light and crisp.

Drinkability: Nearly perfect. I could drink pint after pint of this delicious beer and not have to worry about getting sick.

Overall: This is not my favorite offering from Surly, in fact it may be my least favorite, but it' still great so that's gotta say something. This is as true to style as I've ever seen from Surly but a style that's not done much anymore. Good job Surly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2009 18:37:30 | More by optiontwo

TheObsession

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Just tried a pint at my favorite bar, Stub and Herb's. It was the perfect beer for wrapping up my night, as I was looking for something delicious, drinkable, and low in alcohol. The beer appeared a rich auburn color, with a dense and smooth head that fit precisely to my expectations for an English Dark Mild. The aroma was toasty and sweet with hints of toffee. The first sip teased my taste buds with a light creamy sweet flavor that evolved into a caramel malty finish. It went down superbly smooth, leaving me with a light chocolate/toffee aftertaste. In the mouth, it felt substantial in a way that it was thick, but not too heavy...the description may not be too precise, but it is what I expect from the style. Lastly, the drinkability was unrivaled by anything I have had in recent memory. I could drink this all day and all night long. I am sad that I will not get any while watching the Superbowl tomorrow.

Good work Todd!

Cheers

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 06:24:15 | More by TheObsession

dfried

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A see through brownish toffee color, just off white foamy head. Aroma-light, caramelly brown sugar, notes of vanilla, biscuity malt, light earthy hops. Similar taste, lightly toasted malt, caramel, brown sugar, notes of coco, herbal hops have a little tangy zest and provide some balance. Some fruitiness in the aftertaste reminisant of cherries or grapes. Some almost buttery and nutty notes in the finish as well.

Overall: similar to many winter warmers. Light and not all that complex, but great for a malty session beer. It's not just a clever name, if you will.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2008 20:20:37 | More by dfried

MeLikeBeer

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Stub & Herbs in Minneapolis.

Looks like a butterscotch golden color in my glass with a foamy head welcoming me in.
Very light, sweet aromas.
Caramel tasting with lots of malt overtones, some sweet candy tastes as well.
Very easily drinkable, I had 3 in a row, I would love to have this one around year round.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2008 23:03:13 | More by MeLikeBeer

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Clear ruby brown with a thin light tan head. Some lacing.

S-A bit of sweet malt but not much else, very pedestrian.

T-Pleasant biscuity malt flavours with a lovely dry finish.

M-Medium light body. Very smooth transitioning to an astringent finsih.

D-Absolutley...wow, a session brew from Surly...wait, did I just see a pig fly past me?!

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2008 07:47:47 | More by Deuane

tempest

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Stub and Herbs, possibly the last Mild tap in the cities.

Basically and big-flavored beer with great drinkability. The aroma is pretty subtle, with toffee and roasted-caramel malts. That same caramel makes up the main flavor, with lighter caramel and toffee around it. As it fades into the aftertaste, the malt continues to develop turns into a creamier candy flavor. If I wasn't on a mission to try other new beers, I'd be ordering a second and third pint. Just like Surly's Bitter Brewer, it makes a lot of flavor out of a litter grain and then develops as you drink it.

Thank you Surly.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2008 22:07:22 | More by tempest

brewdoc75

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have been waiting forever to try this beer. I'm mostly an "at home" drinker, so it has been difficult for me to get out and find a place with this brew. I tried Busters, but they were out. Tonight I made it to the great Stub and Herbs and was able to grab a pint.

This beer is presented to me in a standard pint glass. A light white head crowns this ruddy brown-red beer. Very beautiful. Like a dark amber piece of jewelry. I don't get the cloudiness others have witnessed. Not overly carbonated, which is what I believe is appropriate for this style. The aroma is very unique. Earthy, with a tobacco like smell. I hate tobacco, but for some reason this aroma appealed to me. There are some toffee undertones.

I was extremely impressed w/ the flavor of this beer. Extraordinary maltiness, unlike nothing I've experienced in an ale. Great toffee and caramel flavors are present. There was even a hint of chocolate. There is a hidden herbal, earthy flavor, kind of like a dark tea. The hops are there in the bitterness, but they are really the supporting cast here. The mouthfeel was lovely. Nice medium body w/ a clean finish.

I've never had this style before. I've read about it in my homebrewing books and craved it. Now I know why. This will be my basis for comparison. And what a great beer to compare others to. Thank you Surly for yet another great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2008 04:48:11 | More by brewdoc75

kajerm

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Hopleaf-- I was looking for Furious, but I won't turn my nose up at this either.

Pours gold and slightly cloudy with a finger and a half of very fine carbonation. The aroma is floral, herbal hops, much more British than American (which is fitting, I guess, for a bitter.) The flavor opens up with light bready/grainy malts, with a thin mid-palate and a short and strongly herbal hoppy finish with mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel is quite light and highly carbonated; fitting for the style, but not my personal preference. Drinkability is excellent, this is a true session beer in the original English sense of the word.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2008 01:14:38 | More by kajerm

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a clear mahogany brown with a nice little off-white head, stays foamy with some decent lacing. After warming a bit, the aroma comes out more, malts are prominent in caramel, bready and biscuity tones, some faint herbal hop hints, still fairly faint, but nice. The taste is a little more broad, but still fairly modest, biscuit and caramel malts, Earl Gray tea, a sense of hops but nothing finite, just flirting impressions. The mouth is very smooth, a very subtle carbonation, a slightly dry finish, a session beer if there ever was one. I downed two of these in rather short time (encouraged by the release of Two), and could imagine doing so often. Also, I would love, LOVE, to see this on cask. That would truly be fantastic. As it stands, i fine brew, out of the blue, for the Surly crew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2008 02:44:59 | More by objectivemonkey

Maerzen

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted this new beer from Surly at the release party at the Happy Gnome. Amber/Red in color with a little foam and touch of lacing. Very light on the tongue. Nice gentle balance of malt and hops with neither taking presidence. Not too carbonated. Great flavor and, as a session, perfect for enjoying more then two.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2008 01:38:18 | More by Maerzen

mnstorm99

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blue Nile (thanks fm)

Clear brown pour with a small white head that seemed to disappear quickly, but not completely.
Soft aromas of nutty malts and a touch of weak floral hops.
Taste is a Mild in the truest sense. Not much hops there (like it should be). Nutty malts dominate a chocolate buiscut background.
Overall, this is a little over carbonated. Not much aroma but a good beer. Very drinkable, but let it rest it gets better with time in the glass.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2008 16:12:46 | More by mnstorm99

Mdog

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Happy Gnome.

Appearance: Clear brown, with a good sized head, good lacing as I drank.

Smell: Bready, biscuits.

Taste: Biscuits and toasted bread with a touch of tea-like bitterness. Reminds me of a very light octoberfest beer.

Mouthfeel: Light, but not watery.

Drinkability: Goes down easy, definitely sessionable. It would be interesting to have a keg of this at a party instead of Miller Lite.

Went over to the Gnome to try Surly's latest. I've never had a mild before (since FFF's Pride and Joy isn't really a mild), so this was a new experience. It was pretty good, and I definitely could have had several if I didn't have other things to do. I've heard milds are even better on cask, that would be interesting to have with this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2008 14:34:00 | More by Mdog

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Semi-clear, reddish brown, with a nice, tight, light tan head.

Mostly malty aroma, caramel & chocolate, toasty, solid. smooth, creamy. Nothing jumps out, but it isn't supposed to.

Taste: It's all about the smooth, and it's all about the malt. Hops are here, and higher than other milds, (25 IBUS, if I remember right), and you can just taste them on the tongue, but they're playing it cool, too. Crisp malt flavor, judiciously applied, lies right underneath every gulp & swallow.
Body is medium light, not anywhere near watery, but surprisingly thin for a Surly brew. Well, this, I guess, is their notice to us, saying, "Watch out, don't categorize us, we can be boring, too!"

I can't help but like Mild, it's easy to drink and easy to enjoy, and the malt profile is tasty. There's just enough flavor to make you happy. And yet, it wasn't designed with my palate in mind, for I keep wanted a bit more...I keep missing the Belgian malts of Bender, or the hop attack of Furious. I got that from my customers, too. Many had a sample and went back to Bender...or Furious.

Nice low, languid finish, malts hang tight on the tongue and the deliciousness sticks around.
I take back what I said. This is not a boring beer, just a bit more mellow in flavor than their usual entries. That's one thing I don't think Surly is capable of: brewing a boring beer. I don't think, like any true artist, Todd has it in him to do so.
Mild does serve a nice niche, though, and I hope to see it again in the future, ...but not at the expense of Furious or bender!

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2008 06:30:11 | More by feloniousmonk