Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

mactrail

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Light bodied and fairly roasty brown beer. Dark amber in the glass. Modestly carbonated. Plenty of caramel with a touch of wine and cocoa. Not much of a hoppy flavor but it has a pleasant scratch of dark grainy taste.

Just another Brown Ale, but it's quite drinkable as long as you down it fast. On tap at Burger Tap & Shake in Foggy Bottom. [transcribed from notes ; 06/12/2012 visit]

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2013 05:43:19 | More by mactrail

jpro

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

On-tap at Closed for Business...

A: coppery brown; light beige / off-white head (0.5 finger); light strands and specks of lace; not really THAT brown.

S: light nutty aroma; hazelnut; light toffee and caramel malts; very nice for a brown ale.

T: nutty malts; notes of grain husk and toast; leafy / earthy hop bitterness on end; very nice flavor and balance.

M: full bodied and high carbonation; nice feel and texture; very impressive.

O: maybe my new favorite brown ale; nice taste has some hoppiness that most brown ales don't; great mouthfeel and nice aroma; a good one for a chilly night.

*from notes 2-17-13

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2013 02:12:25 | More by jpro

RWLawman

North Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance – Pours a medium brownish color, almost rustic. Moderate head that has great retention.

Smell – Roasted malt, almost exclusively. Smells like a brown ale should.

Taste – Prevalent malty flavors with some nutty taste on the back, along with some sweetness from the caramel. Absolutely delicious. The prime example of a great brown ale.

Mouthfeel – Well-balanced carbonation and creamy texture. Very smooth and easy to drink. Leaves you wanting more with each and every sip, and then finally leaves you craving more once it's gone.

Overall – One of the (if not THE) finest brown ales I've ever had. I absolutely love this and Sierra Nevada Tumbler. Highly recommend both beers, if you like browns as much as I do.

I've had this beer both on draft and from the bottle. While draft is obviously the superior drinking method, the bottle is every bit as tasty. If you haven't tried this beer, you're missing out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 15:23:27 | More by RWLawman

JustinCurtisKoch

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: dark, quite dark. looks fairly heavy, nice light tan head
S: malts dominate the smell, caramel and hints of vanilla
T: smooth and subtle, what i expect from a american brown. slightly sweet for my palate, typically but enjoyable none the less. notes of hazenut possibly.
M: heavy as i expected but not too much so. definitely silky smooth
O: enjoyable beer, probably would not have more than two in one setting but would defintely order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2012 00:06:00 | More by JustinCurtisKoch

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on draft Draft at Vineyard Grille in Logan airport

A: thin but creamy head; mild carb action; dark copper, slightly cloudy; decent lacing
S: caramel, toasty malt, quite light
T: well-balanced old brown ale; more malty than hoppy; nice blend with the alcohol; brown sugar, roasted malt;
O: really nice polish and finish

Pretty decent when on draft

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2012 13:22:58 | More by Arithmeticus

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This was served from the tap at The Office in Montclair, NJ. It arrived in a standard tulip glass and glowed the deepest maroon color. It held a one finger tall eggshell colored head which showed good retention, leaving sticky, patterned lacing around the glass. A ghostly film of bubbles was left atop the liquid. No sediment or haze was noted, and carbonation appeared light. The aroma gave notes of steely caramel, milk chocolate, and roasty malts much like a milder stout. Chalk, fig sweetness, and molasses rounded out the nose, with light gingerbread spice coming in with warmth. Our first impression was that there was a rich depth to the malts. As we sipped, caramel, roast, brown sugar, and a light leafy hop bitterness came in to balance each other out. A steely bite of raw coffee bean came at the peak, with bittering char, and white sugar sweetness. Sugars carried us to the finish where chocolate and peppery spice came through to bitter, along with tannins of English breakfast tea. Grain was present as well, giving bite much like cherry cough syrup. The aftertaste breathed of unsweetened lemon iced tea, light metallics, coffee, and chocolate malts. The body was medium and the carbonation was high, prickling the tongue. No real coating was left, and the feel really thinned out at times, but there was still decent slurp, cream, and a dry smack. The abv was appropriate, and this beer drank easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew were the quality malts, and the drying finish to the feel. These malts showed depth and solid flavoring, but they become a bit mild and redundant by the end of the glass. We wished the nose was more robust, showcasing more of those great malts. Everything else about this beer is pretty average, but it makes for a tasty, well-balanced treat.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 15:36:07 | More by TheBrewo

claspada

New Jersey

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

Pours a hazy, brown. Head is quite minimal with minimal lacing.

The aroma is malty, an odd mustiness, and hints of nuttiness. Fruity yeastiness emerges as it warms

The tastes begin with a sweet, caramel malt flavor upfront with slight nuttiness. Fruity yeast again just like the aroma. Toasted bready and light biscuity maltiness emerges more as it warms.

Mouthfeel is pretty light with a slight creaminess. Fairly crisp and clean finish.

Overall I enjoy this more now than I remember first sampling in the bottle. Maybe that bottle wasn't fresh or handled poorly. Nothing stellar or monumental but just a really drinkable solid brown ale, not my favorite but good non-the-less and quite acceptable to find on draft at a random bar in NYC.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 15:16:04 | More by claspada

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a deep, auburn-brown color that is crisp and clean looking. A low profile, filmy white head sits atop the brew. The beer has a light nose of nut and caramel. The flavor profile is a blending of roasted and rich sweetness, with a toffee-nut backbone and a very light hopping at the end. Smooth, clean finish, with a lightly sweet and roasted aftertaste. This is a tasty staple beer that you can't go wrong having on hand in your fridge.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2012 23:37:18 | More by GarthDanielson

kylehay2004

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Half finger head with light lacing on a cloudy on a very nice amber and brown body. Caramel malts and brown sugar in the aroma. Flavor is more of the same with the addition of nutty and chocolate notes. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Overall the hops are well represented, the taste is complex and there is no bad aftertaste making this one very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 00:41:45 | More by kylehay2004

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I drank this from apint glass, served on tap.

A- It is brown. The head is creamy white with good lacing and retention.

S- mild sweet malts and spices/caramels/chocolates.

T-The sweet malt taste and caramel/chocolte flavors are upfront. I missed picking up any hops.

M-Good and creamy body.

O- This is a good brew that packs some punch.
I am not a big fan of brown ale but I find this one is OK.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 03:24:13 | More by NiceTaps

dbmata

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Simply an oustanding brown ale. Completely sessionable, and pairs well with food that has a lot of character where it can help reset your palate between each bite.

Slight bitter hp bite and brown bread flavor, not sweet, not sour, well balanced. This is a beer you could drink by the half gallon.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2011 03:37:47 | More by dbmata

bdelanghe

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

I tried this beer at a local family/pub pizza restaurant. It was from tap however, I think the carbonation level was a little low. The beer had a nice caramel color to it, the overall texture and taste was decent but lacked depth. Generally good tasting but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 01:44:13 | More by bdelanghe

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap served in a standard pint glass
It pours a burnt, orange-hued tan leather color with a medium-sized beige head and a fair amount of webby lacing.
A pleasant aroma of roasty brown malt rises at first pour. A light tea-light follows and lingers throughout. Mild resinous hops and a touch of alcohol fuminess round out the aromas.
The flavors match the smells to near perfection, with the exception being, a hint of a metallic tang noticed in the aftertaste.
This is a very fluid liquidy brew. The alcohol is fairly well disguised, so don’t just sit there enjoying one after the other and thinking to yourself, “man, these are tasty suckers, I can drink these all day long!”

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 13:01:21 | More by BeerResearcher

UDbeernut

New York

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at a local pub, poured into a pint glass.

A: tan amber color, nice small off white head with good retention that reduces to a lacing cap.

S: mild nuttiness. Slight caramel

T: sweet on the tounge, slight not of floral hop and nut. A nice example of what a brown should be.

M: medium bodied, slightly chalky.

O: a nice brown ale from smutty.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2011 20:44:15 | More by UDbeernut

MadCat

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, VA.

Appearance: Very brown, a darker brown, with a one finger light brown head that dissipates fast, leaving some lacing

Smell: Very malty, very sweet nose. Some caramel malts, some darker fruity malts to it.

Taste: Very sweet and malty, caramel and darker fruity malts. Not bad to start, but drinking a whole pint becomes a chore.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body, good carbonation, smooth

Overall: Not bad, but it got to me after a while, and I wouldn't get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 00:56:30 | More by MadCat

ranger60

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On draft at Barcade in Jersey City, NJ.

Appearance: Very light brown in color; actually a nice looking beer in the glass.
Aroma: Sweet malty aroma.
Flavor: Was expecting a little more flavor; mild, sweet, malty.
Mouthfeel: Good mouthfeel with substantial carbonation.
Drinkability: overall not bad, but not a favorite

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2011 17:28:18 | More by ranger60

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color of the beer is clear a medium brown with a white head, about a 1/4 inch in hight. It dissipates fast and leaves little lacing.
The smell announces malt, brown sugar , caramel and grain.
The taste up front are earthy malt and caramel, changing to more grain flavors in the middle and little hops at the end.
Overall a medium to light bodied beer which is decent and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 02:58:34 | More by Hopfenpeter

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

So I am in New Hampshire for the Great Bay Half Marathon...its the night before a race and ....why not drink some....ok....alot of the local beer!!! The Old Brown Dog from Smuttynose is good. This beer has was a heavy copper/light brown in color with thin white head and great lace. The smell was nothing to write home about. This beer had some sweetness and roast flavors that were goos in taste! The smell funnels into the taste of this beer. The light ABV leads to this beer being a Session...certainly worth a taste.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 02:32:31 | More by WoodBrew

cpl78

Maine

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It had been 10 years sense I have had this beer. Last had it in a bottle and enjoyed it very much then. ON TAP, in my opinion, is always better.
A: nice clean aurburn color
S: smell of roasted goodness with a hint of molasses
T: drank very smooth as a brown should, with no hop taste which i was very pleased about.
One of the better brown's out there.
Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 11:34:22 | More by cpl78

callhimishmael

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I wish I had been the one to order it; in fact I only tasted my friend's. That was Saturday. On Monday we went to buy supplies for a clone of it. I didn't notice the smell--neither good nor bad--so I'm going to dry-hop it just a little with Willamette.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2011 20:38:04 | More by callhimishmael

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Smuttynose is one of my favorite brewerys and their Brown Dog Ale is a major reason why.

Pours a nice brown color.

Smells crips, classic English ale scents.

Taste is smooth, yet sometimes gives me a metallic flavor. Earthy, an alive ale.

Very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2011 17:40:35 | More by devinoconnor

TriGuy20

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On draft poured into pint glass.

A: Copper with a thin white head and a touch of lace clings to the side of the glass.

S: Orange/ Toasted Grains/ Allspice/ Yeast

T: On the front the orange hits you but this flavor fades fast and turns into toasted grains. On the finish there is a little hoppy bitterness, however, this beers flavor fades fairly fast.

MF: Solid medium body beer that goes down smooth.

D: Given that this beer is 6.7 abv, fairly high for this style, this beer goes down fairly easily.

Overall:
A very solid beer that went well with the burger I had while drinking this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2011 00:44:40 | More by TriGuy20

patreely12

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-tap at woodberry kitchen in baltimore, md.

A - nice cloudy amber. light soapy foam, minimal lacing. still very appetizing though.

S - malts, some hops. maybe a bit of citrus that adds some sweetness.

T/M - creamy malts and hops, hint of refreshing citrus and sweetness. very clean. light-medium bodied with some mild carbonation. not as dry as smooth english brown ales.

D - very drinkable. goes down easy with a good dinner. I'd like to have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 17:17:17 | More by patreely12

stingrayvr6

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Local 44. Always loved this one, finally got to have it on tap. Showed a reddish brown with frothy white head and decent lacing. Smell sweet malty, some caramel sweetness, balanced by some bitterness. Taste bready malts up front, some dry nuttyness and sweet caramel or raisin like notes, balanced by some dry hops. Loved it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 23:45:29 | More by stingrayvr6

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

the last beer i was able to try for about the next month so i went with an old classic. served cold in a pint glass at barleys, this one was consumed on 11/07/2010.

really a decent pour here with a nice medium brown color and a smooth even head of tan that came up from the bottom and coated the glass rather nicely i have to say. aroma is light chocolate with hint of nice roasted malts and a touch of coffee, well rounded for sure and definetely a nice way to end an evening. a mix if light carbonation with a smooth, velvet like texture to it led me to sip it down quite nicely and left a really nice overall impression.

very solid beer for sure and one i would have no issue in going back to again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2010 05:53:52 | More by mikesgroove