Northern Hawk Owl - Right Brain Brewery

GRPunk

Michigan

3.94/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into an imperial pint glass.

A- 1-1/2 finger, dense khaki head develops with a normal pour. Clean, copper body displays light carbonation. Head sustains at 1/2-finger and leaves really good, sticky rings on the glass.

S- Sweet caramel. Lightly hopped, though fresh. Grassy? Floral? Light nuttiness increases with warmth as does a toasted grain quality. Caramel is the consistent player here.

T- Really nice. Balanced between sweet caramel, slightly toasted malt and hops that are clean, grassy, maybe spicy/minty. Dry finish. Slightest hint of buttered, whole wheat toast.

M- Medium body, moderate carbonation. Pleasantly chewy.

O- very solid amber ale. The 1st "traditional" beer I've had from RBB. I'm guessing this is one of the initial offerings they are bottling in the 22 oz format. If it becomes a reasonably priced sixer, I could see it fitting into my Amber Ale rotation.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 02:38:16 | More by GRPunk

Paul_Apsley

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +18.4%

06-16-2013 21:30:32 | More by Paul_Apsley

I_BYE_MI_BEER

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.3%

06-11-2013 17:16:29 | More by I_BYE_MI_BEER

boonejag75

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

05-26-2013 14:00:48 | More by boonejag75

DMarlinJ

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

05-04-2013 01:46:28 | More by DMarlinJ

sennin

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%

05-01-2013 05:48:02 | More by sennin

superspak

Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle into pint glass, no bottle dating. Pours moderately hazy reddish orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of caramel, brown sugar, apple, pear, toast, brown bread, floral, grass, and light citrus. Decent aromas with big malt presence and a fair hop balance; pretty weak but pleasant. Taste of caramel, toast, brown bread, brown sugar, apple, floral, grass, light citrus, and light pine. Light bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, toast, brown bread, brown sugar, apple, floral, grass, light citrus, and light pine on the finish for a bit. Good balance and complexity of malt flavors; with a fair amount of hop balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy and lightly slick mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a solid amber ale. Good malt flavor complexity and robustness; and very smooth to drink. An enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 07:47:38 | More by superspak

redleg64

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%

04-12-2013 19:48:37 | More by redleg64

mzeld

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%

04-12-2013 01:55:56 | More by mzeld

hackmann

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I bought a variety four pack of 22 oz bottles while I was at the brewery and the cost is … $45.00. Damn … this better be super great stuff. Avery’s Maharaja is only $9.00 for a 22 oz bottle and that is super top shelf stuff. They just started bottling so costs are high for them right now.

Appearance: fairly clear amber body with a thin tan head and no lacing to speak of – I had to do a very aggressive pour to get some head. Nothing worse than working to get some head.

Aroma: smell … smell … smell again … lightly toasted white bread and not much else. Once the ale warmed up some still no nose.

Flavors: nice spice from the hops also a little sea grass feel, lightly toasted caramel, sweet bread – the kind that has a little fruit and nuts in it.

Mouthfeel: thin on the delivery then opens on mid and finish; toasted bread texture, dry sea grass on the mid, very fine carbonation feel, spice on the finish with a touch of sweet bread, long lingering aftertaste

To the Point: as far as amber ales go this is tasty; no bouquet; an easy session beer with a nice 5.8 abv just don’t drink too fast but, at $5.50 an eleven ounce glass of beer here - this is no session beer. There is better out there or just as good but cheaper. At this price I'll stick to my Belgian beers.

Pairing: I would like to pair this with a Ruben sandwich

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 20:55:55 | More by hackmann

robhbest

Michigan

2.7/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Poured from 22 oz. bottle into tulip. Appears to be hand bottled. Has the classic "homebrew cap"

A: Pours a deep copper with a smallish 1 finger white head that sticks around.

S: Lots of malt in the smell. Slight bitterness from the hops.

T: More malts in the taste. Cardboard. Skunky hops at the end.

M: Watery and thin. Lacks carbonation.

O: I'm disappointed with this beer. I had the CEO stout from Right Brain and thought it was pretty good. This beer just lacks in every area. I'll probably try their others in the line up. Maybe I got a bad bottle. But I cant see myself buying this one again.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 19:56:35 | More by robhbest