Kick-Ass Brown - C.H. Evans Brewing Company

sponberg

New York

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The appearance gets average marks only because the cask was still settling. The brewer was warning us all about hop chunks, but none found their way into my glass - what did find its way was an astoundingly quaffable American brown ale just loaded with hop character. The distinct smell of fresh hops dominated the aroma. The flavor started out with a full frontal spicy, citric, bitter hop assault, with a creamy (gotta love cask!) slightly roasty malt backbone that balanced things out beautifully. The finish was bitter but not astringently so. I've had it on tap and enjoyed it, but the cask version floored me.

Cask conditioning absolutely shows off this two-time GABF winner in its best light. They usually put a cask on on Friday evenings - definitely worth a trip. Many thanks to brewer George DePiro for hauling this one out on Saturday afternoon to slake the thirst of a couple of BAs.

Edit, 5/5 - No cask for a while. Yet on tap this beer just keeps getting better.

Serving type: cask

01-21-2003 12:21:41 | More by sponberg

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.99/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap at the Pump Station, the beer was served in a shaker pint. Slightly hazed hazelnut color with a thin, filmy, light tan head. Clingy all over the glass. Nose of toffee rich and sweet, with a touch of roasting. Flavors reveal hints of chocolate, with a toffee backbone and hops bitterness. Very well balanced. Light bodied, with a clean, crisp finish. The aftertaste is rich, sweet, and roasted. Very good beer and very sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 01:47:44 | More by GarthDanielson

JTBacon

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a really satisfying Brown ale. Hold on, let me start over. This is a fantastic and excellent Brown ale. Having never been to the Albany Pump Station, I happened to be there a week ago for a pre-wedding something. While the wedding stuff was happening, I was able to sit at the bar and enjoy a handful of these vessels of delicious. Goes well with an hearty meal, with its own abudance of hearty. I no little about the Brewing Company, but I have had my share of beers and this one ranks competitively with the best. Very enjoyable and I am very impressed with this American Brown.

Enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2012 21:58:11 | More by JTBacon

stercomm

Ohio

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

In Albany on a business trip and stumbled upon The Albany Pump Station. Obviously had on tap

A-Dark brown with a slight tan finger head, slight lacing

S-Getting lots of roasted malts, some spice and caramel

T-Nice taste, get lots of roasted malt along with a nice hoppiness that gives this beer a nice bitterness on the finish.

M-Medium bodied, slight carbonation.

O-A very well balanced beer brewed locally. Very subtle but good

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2012 01:35:23 | More by stercomm

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this beer drinks like a dark pale ale with an intense hoppiness in the nose and great grain character. It's quite sweet with loads of hop bitterness to complement. The carbonation really pushes this beer into a light, drinkable brown ale. Very effing tasty beer

Serving type: growler

03-31-2012 23:32:35 | More by ThePorterSorter

Gtreid

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

64 oz growler poured into my bruery tulip. Thanks to naproxen for the hook up.

A: Deep brown color. Not much head comes from the pour, but it does leave a thin collar. No lacing to speak of.

A: Very hop forward nose for a brown ale. I get notes of chocolate, slight roast, and citrus hops.

T: Again, surprisingly hoppy. Chocolate malt notes and citrus. I get a bit of a metallic taste toward the back end. It finishes dry and somewhat sweet with no hint of the abv.

M: good levels of carbonation, medium body.

O: A different take on the style and one I am glad I got to try. I think I prefer the more malty browns, but this is a nice departure from what I'm used to.

Serving type: growler

12-29-2011 21:44:30 | More by Gtreid

rlee1390

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Deep brown with a one finger head that leaves behind some lacing

S-Roasted malts, spice, caramel and brown sugar.

T-Tastes more like a Black IPA almost. Lots of roasted malt and spices. Wonderful bitterness in the finish as well. Great balance.

M-Medium bodied, some carbonation, smooth.

O-A wonderful beer by a local brewery. One of their best, along with the Hefe IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2011 04:26:56 | More by rlee1390

merc7186

New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer on tap served in a pint glass at the Albany Pump Station (obviously).

NOTES: This beer has won 3 gold medals at the GABF and Silver and Bronze Medals at the WBC. Yeah, its that good.

The beer looks amazing with a nice brown color with a slightly reddish hue to it, has a beautiful brown head and clings to every inch on the side of the glass (even half way through the pint). The beer smells great with a great balance of dark malty smells, mild coffee taste and a blend of great hoppiness, not too citrusy, not too piney. The tasteis is amazing with a smooth blend of dark roasted malts and a great smooth hoppy finish. Just outstanding blend. The mouthfeel is decent as the beer is well carbonated and you sit with a mild bitterness. Overall, WOW. This beer earned every honor it has won (and will win) in its existance. Amazing. If you are ever in Albany, this is what you should come for.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2011 00:32:05 | More by merc7186

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Deep brown body with a sticky creamy head. Big head with great retention.

S - The nose holds all you would want from a brown ale. A robust nose with scents of bitter, toasted, roasted, a nutty components.

T - A big deep flavor profile with tons of roasted nut. Bitter yeasty brown bread. Toasted nuts again with a faint mocha addition.

M - Robust, deep and drying. Finishes like an Irish dry stout.

O - This beer has depth and complexity and is very well rounded. Closer to a solid porter in my opnion.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2011 22:43:44 | More by BeerForMuscle

UDbeernut

New York

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

from my notes, tasted at the Pump Station in Albany, poureinto a pint

a: nice tan color, nice off white head with good retention

s: nut and citrus hop, mild caramel

t: nut and caramel on the tip pierced by citrus hoppyness. Deffinatly a nice take on the brown ale

m: medium bodied, slightly drying and sticky

o: excellent beer!

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2011 18:57:49 | More by UDbeernut

renegadeburger

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

first beer i get to try while visiting the albany pump station heard great things about this place decided to take a slight detour while spending time upstate

poured out deep red almost like a chestnut brown into my sample glass i asked for a small sampler glass so i could inspect the beer better

aroma was really awesome i smelt lots of burnt or roasted malts in there also some coffee smell and even almonds and cherries too

same in the taste the beer has wonderful balance but you could not get any hops in the nose but now you get the hops in force in the taste this is a really great brown ale

great creamy mouthfeel this beer is really good i think i need to get a growler of it to go for the weekend

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2011 00:10:18 | More by renegadeburger

Kendo

New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got it at the brewpub on 4/23/11.

A: Served in a pint glass. The body is brownish-red (or maybe reddish-brown is more accurate), with a small off-white head. Leaves behind real good lace.

S: Sweet malt - caramel, toffee - and roasted malt. Touch of citric hops.

T: Very nice - good malt foundation that follows the nose (caramel, toffee, some brown sugar). This is followed by a nice citrusy, bitter finish that leaves a clean, drying impression.

M: Just about medium in heft, carbonation is appropriate.

O: This is probably the "flagship" ale at the Pump Station, and for good reason. I could easily quaff this one for awhile and not get bored with it. . . .

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 18:09:52 | More by Kendo

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at the brewpub. Apparently a gold medal winner at the GABF, so it's got some pedigree.

The beer is a reddish shade of brown, translucent, with a fairly thin head. Roasted malts and a light citrus nose, maybe amarillo (they use it on their Quackenbush Blond too).

Cocoa and toasted malts are the main flavors, but there's pretty good hops counterbalance here as well. A rich tasting brown ale, one of the better ones I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2011 10:10:02 | More by TurdFurgison

aerozeppl

New York

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Have had this many times over the last 10 years or so. Finally a review.

A: Fairly dark brown color. Looks almost like cola when held up to the light. A finger of slightly brownish head with very impressive lacing and good head retention.

S: The nose on this beer is a nice balance of dry hopping and malt. The hops smell very fresh and work quite well with the malt. Even before all the hops this was an above average brown ale.

T: Malt up front. Nice malt complexity. Very fresh tasting. Very rich tasting. A little touch of chocolate. The hops are always there and the citrus works really well with the malt. It is everything you want in a beer at once.

M: Medium body that can feel a little heavy at times.

D: This has won quite a few GABF medals and I can see why. Personally this is much better than Bender and that is a good beer. This is the best american brown ale out there hands down.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2011 21:52:10 | More by aerozeppl

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a really deep and rich brown color. Little bit of brownish head that fades fairly quickly, but keeps good lacing.

S - Earth hops and nutty aroma. A bit of coffee smell alongside.

T - Nice and full hoppy flavor throughout. Dark brown malty and nutty flavors join alongside the hops. The flavor overall stays fairly sweet and well balanced even with many elements.

M - Medium carbonation, and really smooth and crisp. The feeling of the beer is also fairly creamy without feeling too heavy,

D - This is a really complex but well balanced beer throughout which allows for a fairly drinkable and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: growler

10-27-2010 01:36:16 | More by ngeunit1

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On draft at the brewpub. A better than average brown beer. Horizon, Amarillo and Crystal hops. Creamy mouthfeel, a malt richness. Served somewhat too cold. Chocolate brown colour. A sipper, and astringency from hops builds up but flvour hidden behind the malt. Intresting but Overated.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2010 00:57:32 | More by northyorksammy

lovindahops

New York

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into a pint glass at the pump station

A- a dark as midnight look with an off white head. Head was good but quickly dissolves

S- coffee and toffee. And lots of nuts. Some earthy hop scents

T- wow! An unexpected citrus hops hit! The coffee theme still dominates. This is a real unexpected blend of good themes. The flavor is still sweet

M- medium bodied and creamy

D- this is a delicious combiination of flavors in a brew. This is so yummy! Why won't they bottle this?!? A great beer to try when out here

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2010 01:31:59 | More by lovindahops

thekevlarkid

Maryland

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Off tap this award-winning beer was nearly opaque, almost as dark as a porter with a mahogany meniscus. The head was one finger of tan foam; the retention was good and the lacing solid. The aroma was of sweet malt, roasted malt, nuts and a background of hops. The flavors were truly enjoyable with a great balance of sweet and bitter elements. I tasted caramel malt and toffee sweetness first followed by a dry middle composed of coffee with hints of wood. The finish was long and hoppy but not overly bitter, clearly reflective of an excellent use of Amarillo hops. The mouthfeel was smooth, the body medium and the carbonation perfect. Sessionable yet complex, balanced and it even nailed the landing with a clean finish. Truly a great American Brown Ale and appropriately named.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2010 00:11:01 | More by thekevlarkid

oldpinecone

New York

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap..

: Poured into pint glass it was a nice brown accorn color with subpar head. It smelled a bit nutty with mild undertone of a citrus for some reason. The taste was great it a nutty, earthy and delicious. It was a bit too carbonated, not what i expected. A drinkable beer to throw back with your buddies.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2009 17:28:21 | More by oldpinecone

williamherbert

New York

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The appearance is ruby brown with a mocha brown head. Through head shrinks, the lace is magnified. Thick and murky.

The smell is heavy resiny pine of a thick IPA. Some earthy malts but the brown is overwhelmed. Dynamite. Evolves as it warms up, with more nutty malts emerging.

The taste is a major pine and oak. As it warms, that nutty brown malts peeks its head out, sweetening the pot a bit. It's really fantastic.

The feel is thick, milky and creamy, like chocolate milk. This is a rich, deep beer. When it warms up to room temp, it is world class.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 03:59:05 | More by williamherbert

iceball585

New York

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Dark brown/black color, non-transparent, thin head that lowered quickly to a thin ring

S- Caramel malts, sweet, citrus, light flowery hops auroma

T- Earthy, citrus hops, grassy, dark malts, brown sugar, fairly sweet

M- Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth, clean, oily finish

D- Worth getting again

More hoppy than your average American Brown ale but still worth trying if you get the chance.

Serving type: growler

03-11-2009 01:26:33 | More by iceball585

PBoegel

New York

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear favorite of mine from the core line of ales on tap at the Pump Station. Big malt flavors mingle with an intense American hop profile, with notes of grapefruit, light pine, pineapple and hints of lemon zest.

Mix it up with the nachos w/jalapeños or some chili and then a pump station burger.

Then finish up with a second pint and let those zesty American hops clean the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2008 13:46:37 | More by PBoegel

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Deep golden brown appearence with a foamy head that only lasts a few seconds. Smells great...a very intesnse hoppy aroma.
Pretty good taste. A nutty/hoppy flavor...something different...however it has that small town microbrew undertaste...not sure what it is. Very carbonated which makes the drinkability a little lower than expected. A decent beer...hardly "kick ass".

Serving type: growler

10-10-2007 12:38:50 | More by DrinkSlurm

jwc215

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beautifully rich deep brown with a two-finger fluffy light tan head that slowly descends to a lasting, thick cover. Thin rings of lacing stick to glass.

The smell is citric hops blended with brown sugar and toffee. Unusual for style, but works amazingly well here.

Hops abound here...Never had a brown ale like this before! Aggressive citric and floral hops rounded out by brown sugar and toffee. Bitter with a candy sweetness in the finish.

Medium to full, creamy almost chewy body. Complex but very smooth. Nice aftertaste and carbonation level.

One of the best brown ales I've ever had - very unique. This is very hoppy - somehow it works well here - hops in a brown ale. If you are looking for a hoppy, well-done brown ale, definately get this! If you are looking for a traditional brown ale...well..this isn't it...
A great beer - "Kick Ass" is right!

Thanks to jcwattsrugger for bringing me a growler of this work of art!

Serving type: growler

08-15-2007 14:36:36 | More by jwc215

crwills

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Pump Station in Albany. This is apparently their flagship brew, and has numerous awards from various beer festivals. Was definitely quite good, and went well with my ribs! Very hoppy for a brown -- Americans seem to like making brown ales this way (tangy, hoppy, light bodied) instead of the more traditional English style (malty, nutty, oily). Tasted more like a slightly toasted pale ale than a brown, but I still really enjoyed it. Definitely sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2007 02:17:18 | More by crwills