Imperial Nut Brown Ale - Tommyknocker Brewery

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue VII:

To commemorate 10 years of brewing, Tommyknocker took their Maple Nut Brown Ale and amped it up. It's brewed with pure maple syrup, chocolate and crystal malts, and spiced with a blend of American and Euro hops. The final result weighs in at 9.8-percent alcohol by volume (abv).

Quick to foam, the tiny bubbled head stays together for a good while. Color is a few shades from black, sporting ruby edges in the light. Big aroma of buttery toffee, hint of cake batter, maple, toasted bread and raisins as well. Full creamy mouthfeel, with some smoothness from the mild carbonation. Supersized malt character here with flavors of buttery toffee, milk chocolate, maple syrup, brown sugar, mild espresso and brownies. Hops are on the back burner but come to life quickly with some balancing bitterness; the alcohol is warming and helps to balance with a spicy warmth, yet compliments the malt with dried plum and raisin flavors. Sweet finish of sugary dark malts, but it's never cloying.

Though the "nut" gets lost in the massive complexities of this beer ... wow, what a killer malt bomb this is! Very drinkable, but it's a sipper, and a great pick for pairing with chocolates or a bowl of warm, spiced / spicy mixed nuts. This would no doubt be a fine match to a robust cigar, too.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2010 20:38:08 | More by BeerAdvocate

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-06-2013 18:45:56 | More by ZEB89

Gorgeous_JR

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got some on the tap at Melton's App n Tap in ATL GA. Drank 1.5 servings. Man o man did this get me good. It packs a real real strong punch. Tommyknocker lives up to its the name.

But I probably could only drink 1.5 servings because its just too bitter. Def worth a try cause at least you'll be feeling good.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2013 02:59:16 | More by Gorgeous_JR

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-27-2013 03:26:30 | More by SmellsofMahagony

dbrelsfo

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

04-21-2013 21:25:08 | More by dbrelsfo

hurdjg

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-21-2013 14:35:11 | More by hurdjg

GRFounder

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +21%

04-15-2013 01:24:19 | More by GRFounder

Hophead420

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

04-13-2013 07:23:25 | More by Hophead420

Bromine

Florida

3/5  rDev -19.4%

04-11-2013 10:25:37 | More by Bromine

Joshgonzales79

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

04-09-2013 03:17:46 | More by Joshgonzales79

Herky21

Iowa

3/5  rDev -19.4%

04-08-2013 22:59:58 | More by Herky21

avisong

Virginia

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-06-2013 02:57:52 | More by avisong

jnikkel

Indiana

4/5  rDev +7.5%

03-23-2013 01:37:17 | More by jnikkel

StonyB

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

03-18-2013 04:43:26 | More by StonyB

deac83

Texas

4/5  rDev +7.5%

03-05-2013 04:33:42 | More by deac83

ssimpson89

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

03-02-2013 21:03:03 | More by ssimpson89

cliff1066

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

02-22-2013 03:27:50 | More by cliff1066

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

So, apparently, Tommyknocker and their new labels have entered the Chicagoland market. Okay. This stuff pours a clear russet-garnet topped by a half-finger of ashen khaki foam. The nose comprises rich caramel, sweet coffee (imagine sniffing the air at the mall right at the edge of the food court where there's a coffee "store" and a candy store right next to each other), mild cashew, and a hint of cocoa. The taste holds notes of fusel alcohol (up front and in-my-face), burnt nuts, toasted malts, and bitter coffee. Things took a turn from the pleasant and sweet to the unexpectedly crass and bitter. Shame, really. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, what could have been a solid beer (judging by the smell) instead allowed itself to succumb to the Dark Side, with a flavor combination that made me harshly grimace with every sip.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 18:32:09 | More by TMoney2591

Hopheadjeffery

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.5%

02-17-2013 16:01:11 | More by Hopheadjeffery

tommy2x

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +7.5%

02-11-2013 01:18:24 | More by tommy2x

jkn09

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

02-10-2013 05:42:41 | More by jkn09

calcnerd

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

02-04-2013 03:17:44 | More by calcnerd

DmanGTR

New York

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

01-31-2013 21:50:24 | More by DmanGTR

brandoman63

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

01-30-2013 04:49:29 | More by brandoman63

BMan33

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +27.7%

01-26-2013 15:35:04 | More by BMan33