Over Ale - Half Acre Beer Company

steveh

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Can states; "Quite Possibly Exactly What You Think It Is."

No, can't say I was expecting a Brown Ale, but I wanted to try another Half Acre because my portfolio is lacking.

A -- Clear, deep copper with a cragy, resilient, light tan to cream color head.

S -- Biscuity, toffeeish, roasted malts. Little hop aroma, if any, which is good to style. Earthiness from yeast and malts back.

T -- Earthy, toffee, biscuity -- even light milk chocolate flavors with dry bitterness from a good balance of hops and roasted malt. Mild citrus and spiciness in the finish and a good bitter aftertaste.

M -- Mouthfeel is rather soft to dry with a light-medium body.

O -- A nice take on the style. Not overpowering in any of the usual suspects of character traits you expect in an American Brown, plus a good dose of that toffee character you usually only get in English beers. A nice drinker.

Serving type: can

03-21-2012 21:25:04 | More by steveh

Etan

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a pint can into a Libbey tall pilsner glass.

A: Pours a nice reddish brown, with a soft, spongy tan head. Good lacing.

S: Mildly sweet brown malts, big aroma of floral/grassy hops. Caramel, brown sugar.

T: Nice hopped up brown. Starts with some sweet maltiness - caramel, a little chocolate, whole bread - shot through with some grassy and mildly citrusy hops. Nice dose of bitterness underneath. Grain, some roastiness, and a bit of smoky tobacco comes out in the finish. Hop bitterness and a little sweetness from the malts lingers.

M: Medium-bodied, good carbonation.

O: A pretty good hopped up brown ale. Very smooth and drinkable.

Serving type: can

03-12-2012 03:39:15 | More by Etan

gford217

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can.

Pours dark chestnut brown ith a small beige head, not much lacing.

Aroma is sweet with caramel malts but also has a solid toasted nut character. Light citrus hops and multi-grain bread.

Taste is roasty up front, bread and caramel together. Not a lot of hops but maybe a bit of cocoa powder. Finish is dry and nutty.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and well carbonated, crisp and clean for a brown.

This is a well-crafted brown with nothing standing out but it's really drinkable.

Serving type: can

03-10-2012 03:28:09 | More by gford217

gtermi

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark brown body with a thick white head that slowly fades.

S: There is a nice bit of malt on the nose and even a bit of chocolate. It is actually pretty light though.

T: A strong amount of sweet malt and even a nice bit of roasted flavors.

M: This is very smooth. It goes down with ease and has a nice creamy feeling.

O: This is a very good beer. It is easy to drink and very flavorful. Just a solid all around beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 01:51:22 | More by gtermi

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

on tap at devils den in philly

Pours a hazed caramel nutty brown color with a froth of beige head. Coat of retained film with thick rings of lacing left behind on the glass.

Nutty in the nose with bread crust and some lighter earthy hop aroma. Caramel sweetness with chocolate is also apparent.

Nutty and malty up front followed by subtle leafy hops. The bitterness is light, overshadowed by chocolate and coffee hints. Nice backbone with bready tones and lighter caramel sweetness. Finishes a little hoppy and clean.

Medium body, well carbonated, a bit chewy and sticky on the tongue. Drinks nice - a well balanced brown ale with a pleasant, yet subtle hop flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 23:27:04 | More by xnicknj

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a snifter.

3.5 A: Clear (I think) deep amber mahogany color. Almost three fingers off beige frothy/foamy head. Retention is good and sparse lacing is left.

4.0 S: Surprisingly hoppy. It's not quite floral, not quite herbal, and also not quite earthy. The combination of "not quites" adds up to a good hoppiness. Lots of toasty maltiness with hints of chocolate and nuts. Lots of the Half Acre house character, which is hard to describe.

3.5 T: Not as hoppy as the nose suggested, but still a hoppier brown ale. I've finally decided that I'm calling the hopppiness earthy foremost and herbal second. Dry, dusty graininess. Lots of toastiness. A touch of chocolate and nuts. An abundance of the house character. Moderate bitterness that seems to come more from the malts than the hops.

2.5 M: I'm not a huge fan of the mouthfeel. Lighter medium body. Carbonation level is fine, but it feels somewhat dead. The strangest thing is how this is both creamy and not creamy at the same time and this I don't care for.

3.0 D: Tasty beer. I'm always happy to drink a new brown ale. This one seems to be a little rough around the edges though.

Serving type: can

02-14-2012 23:20:25 | More by DavoleBomb

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a transparent but lightly clouded brown, decent cap of off-white froth, little retention. Scent leads with roasted nuts and rustic bread, moderate hope profile brings citrus, light sweetness. Taste brings components of scent together, the malt backbone is nutty and bready, could use a bit more heft. Juicy hops give the beer some edge. Medium bodied, moderately dry. Decent brown ale all around, good flavor but malt bill could have been upped slightly.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 14:05:29 | More by rfgetz

robwestcott

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

thanks to lusciousjackson for this one !

poured cold from the can a deep dark burnt chocolate brown to a to a dogfish head shaped pint with a big, foamy, long lasting tan head with spotty lace after each sip.

aroma of grassy hops and brown sugars

interesting, sweet, graham crackers, light molasses.

medium bodied, big carbonation, sweet.

overall an interesting brown ale. nothing special, but very solid.

Serving type: can

02-05-2012 23:31:31 | More by robwestcott

Heatwave33

Florida

3.15/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 16oz can to a Dogfish Head Snifter.

Color: Dark amber with a tan head.

Smell: Bread, earthy hops and caramel malts.

Taste: Same as the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Medium low carbonation, smoth with a dry finish.

Overall: A decent brew just too bready for my taste. Maybe if it was less bready and more hoppy or citrus. Cheers.

Serving type: can

02-04-2012 00:58:06 | More by Heatwave33

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Brown and pretty clear, fair head and lace.

Smell is fairly nutty with lots of caramel malts. Nice.

Taste is quite good, a good malt profile with some molasses and brown sugar, and a lightly hoppy finish.

Moderate carbonation, medium body, easy drinking.

Overall it's pretty good, not spectacular but easily drinkable.

Serving type: can

01-12-2012 21:58:22 | More by AlCaponeJunior

Blakaeris

Iowa

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark mahogany brown with a decent tan head that doesn't hang around long.

Aroma is caramel malt and dried dark fruit.

Taste is malty and sweet. Roasted toffee, dark fruit and vague spices match well with a dry cedar like woody quality. Finishes with nutty, earthy hops a hint of apple shining through.

Mouthfeel is smooth, medium bodied.

Overall, a nice session ale. Plenty of complexity to keep things interesting. A winner.

Serving type: can

12-30-2011 21:34:28 | More by Blakaeris

mynie

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours brown red, medium translucent, with a nice head.

Smells the way a brown ale should, west coast hops and nutty, bready malt. Very nicely balanced, and the hops are take center stage, just like I like them.

Tastes not quite as good as a smells. Starts with nutty bread dough, moves into sugared chestnuts blended with citrusy hops, and then it gets a tiny bit weird, with big nodes of boiled veggies like I'm drinking old school Rolling Rock. The veggies linger, surprisingly pleasantly, but they override most of the nice sweet barley that probably would do a better job of balancing out the beer.

Serving type: can

12-24-2011 02:11:04 | More by mynie

brentk56

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives presenting a russet brown color capped by a couple of inches of foam that sheets the pint glass

Smell: Brown bread and nuts with a hint of caramel

Taste: Brown bread, up front, with a nutty middle and a finish that brings in some earthy hop elements

Mouthfeel: Medium body and moderate carbonation

Overall: Very drinkable and a decent example of the style; not something I am likely to seek out again

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 03:35:10 | More by brentk56

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Trying the Half Acre Over Ale tonight and it is tasty tasty!!!! The appearance is great a deep rich brownish clear amber with off white head that is lacing!!!! The smell includes molassis malts and hints of roast and perhaps noble hops. The taste is a slightly nutty and molassis sweetness which is very drinkable. Mouthfeel is medium to light in boday with good carbonation. Overall this is a good brown ale!

Serving type: can

12-10-2011 00:30:44 | More by WoodBrew

ahq514

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from pint can into english pint glass.

Pours an amber color, not quite as brown as I expected. Very little head, appears to have moderate carbonation. Very light lacing.

A surprising amount of earthy hops in the aroma for a brown ale. I can see how this was originally brewed as an esb. There is also a generous dose of toasty caramel malt. Slightly roasted note as well.

Very nice hoppy brown with nicely integrated hop and malt flavors. Nice earthy and floral hops right up front with transitions nicely into the toasted and lightly roasted caramel malt. Has a little bit of smoke in there too. A little bit of a bitterness on the end from the hops. Not sure if I like that there, although it is growing on me.

Nice medium body and moderate carbonation. Extremely drinkable.

A nice hoppy brown ale. What I like about it is the hops don't dominate the malt, they add a nice bite to it. The only thing I would change is the lingering bitterness on the end, but I think I can deal with it. Overall, a nice drinkable beer that could be enjoyed on a warm summer day or cold winter night.

Serving type: can

12-09-2011 05:37:29 | More by ahq514

beagle75

Iowa

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 16 oz. can into a tulip pint glass.

A: Clear, dark amber color with one finger of diminishing mocha-tinted foam head. Medium lacing remains on the glass.

S: Toasty, biscuit-like grain is complemented by earthy and spicy hops. Clean, with a mild black pepper presence set against transient caramel, the smell also has one foot in charcoal.

T: Begins dry, with slightly scorched brown malt and sharp herbaceous hop aromatics that are remarkably pungent and slightly astringent. Acidity is moderate, perhaps a bit too pronounced for the style, with some dark citrus qualities in tow. The middle is more malt-focused, earthy and mild with caramel overtones. Sweetness also intensifies somewhat toward the finish, which harbors bracing herbaceous bitterness that is shocking to the palate.

M: Medium viscosity, balanced on the palate if leaning a little toward the astringent, with low carbonation.

D/O: This robust ale from the Half Acre stable bears little relation to their Daisy Cutter pale ale; relatively challenging on the palate, but only compared to that other beer's universal approachability. The smell resembles some other American brown ales, such as Sierra Nevada's Tumbler, but is more satisfying. It almost begs for other strong and savory flavors to complement, making it food-friendly but likely to induce some palate fatigue when taken by itself.

Serving type: can

12-08-2011 01:24:09 | More by beagle75

mtstatebeer

West Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

One pint can served in tumbler glass. Pours a clear ruby color with a small, fizzy, light-brown head, good lacing. Aroma is caramel, roasted and toasted malts, smoke, and a small amount of earthy hops. Flavor is caramel malts, wood, nutty, and grassy hops. Mouthfeel is medium to light, dry, and just a touch of bitterness at the finish. Decent beer, nothing special but drinkable.

Serving type: can

12-01-2011 05:16:06 | More by mtstatebeer

sidetracked

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear mahogany brown with a substantial light brown head. Head lingers nicely and creates a little lacing.

Not very aromatic. Some sweet caramel toasted malts and brown sugar.

Upfront flavor is sweet brown sugar with a little roasty, bready malts. Taste follows to the finish. Some caramel and brown sugar sweetness at the finish. Light floral hopiness.

Medium body with medium carbonation. Clean finish.

Easy to drink and enjoyable. Best when colder.

6/8/2011

Serving type: can

11-24-2011 22:47:28 | More by sidetracked

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from a 16 ounce can into a Half Acre shaker pint, because I can.

Beer is brown and clear with a thin tan head of small bubbles, moderate to low carbonation, some, minimal, lacing. low retention, looks good.

Aroma is mildly roasty, with hints of some malt sweetness, no hop aroma that I can detect, smells good.

Beer is medium to light in body, finishes like a really mild coffee, a very decent little ale here. Mildly sweet up front. Nice finish, not too dry, a well connected a decent little beer. Nothing too special but definitely solid.

Serving type: can

11-19-2011 16:43:19 | More by drabmuh

bashiba

Iowa

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a clear dark brown with ruby highlights, almost no head to speak of just a lightly bubbly ring.

The smell is light and malty with a bit of brown sugar and light earthy hops.

The flavor is surprisingly bitter with some nice earthy and herbal hop notes mixing in with some roasted barley flavors and some deep smoke in the finish. The sweetness comes through a bit more as it warms, but still leans towards the bitter end of the spectrum.

The mouthfeel is light and a bit oily.

I enjoyed this, I like the hoppier style of brown, and I especially liked its not just a brown ale hopped up with a bunch of west coast citrus hops, its hoppy but in a more nontraditional way.

Serving type: can

11-18-2011 22:01:22 | More by bashiba

stabzmcgee

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance is a translucent mahogany with a healthy head upon pour. Aroma is that of grassy floral hops with a caramel backing. Taste Is malty with notes of grassy hops. Mouthful is sweet with a medium resinous body, leaves an almost sticky mouthfeel. Overall a good canned beer, would be good in the heat. Thanks again gcurlow.

Serving type: can

11-10-2011 02:59:56 | More by stabzmcgee

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can into a Duvel tulip. I got this in an anonymous in-person trade at the end of DLD, so thanks to that guy if he's reading this!

A: Pours a clear dark russet body under a solid finger of creamy tan foam. Good retention and lacing. Attractive Brown Ale.

S: Fairly sweet aroma of chocolate malt, dark fruits, nuttiness, and a hint of generically earthy hops. Solid, but unremarkable.

T: Follows the nose: malty, nutty, and fruity up front, with some coffee and hops providing bitterness on the tail end. Perhaps a bit skewed toward the sweet end of the spectrum, but still pretty tasty.

M: Soft medium body with moderate, fine, lively carbonation. Pleasant.

O: Not my favorite example of one of least favorite styles, but this is still a nice brew. I’d gladly drink it again.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

10-31-2011 16:44:01 | More by woosterbill

ferrari29

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer poured from can into a Pint shaped glass

A - Beer pours with a healthy clear dark amber colored body; full frothy espresso colored frothy head; one finger in size; moderate level of lacing formed on the sides of the glass; barely any visible carbonation in the glass

S - Traditional brown nut ale scents of roasted malt; semi-chocolate scents; hing of butter; initial scents are a bit chalky

T - Smooth nut-malt flavored ale; crisp and refreshing flavor; hint of roasted character; chocolate; touch of tea or light herbal flavors; hint of dark fruit-figs

M - Thin, but filling; great brown ale flavor; pleasant on the taste buds; all flavor characteristics are enjoyable and not overbearing; aftertaste of brown sugar

D - Probably the best brown ale beer I've ever had; compliments dark fruits; would go great with a meal, nice and light body but full of character

Serving type: can

09-25-2011 05:03:04 | More by ferrari29

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to htomsirveaux for the can.

Appearance: Deep, rich brown with some nice dark red touches when held to light. Head is dirty white/tan and dissipates pretty quickly. Mild lacing. Clear and full, I like it.

Smell: Roasted malts, coffee, touches of cocoa. Caramel malts as well. Touch of citrus hops, but it's all about malts, and I'm happy with that. Some toasted malts and something sweeter than caramel. Toffee? Bready and biscuity in good measure.

Taste: Solid malts all around. Sweet is just the right measure. Pulls to roasted coffee and cocoa on the back of each sip. Big bready malts add a nice level of depth. Hops have a little more presence than they did on the nose. Nice touch of citrus to round out the back of the malts. Nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel: Chewy, full without being heavy, and nicely carbonated. It's a big malty mouthful. Drinks like a champ.

Overall: A damn fine take on the style. It's not quite Surly Bender, but it's got to be cheaper and that goes a long way. Super easy to drink and a nice can of deliciously crafted malts. Well-balanced and well worth seeking out.

Serving type: can

09-15-2011 01:22:10 | More by Goblinmunkey7

duffcalifornia

Wisconsin

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a can into an imperial pint glass.

A: Pours an opaque toffee color with absolutely no head whatsoever. Good looking, but points must be docked for this.

S: Hints of caramel, roasted malt, and dark fruits. Smells solid if not spectacularly inviting.

T: Initially tastes of dark fruit. Taste changes very little, if at all, as the beer warms. Like the smell, the taste is solid if nothing outstanding.

M: Medium mouthfeel and appropriately carbonated, which is odd given the lack of head. But this feels exactly like a brown ale should.

O: In case it wasn't obvious, I'm wholly uninspired by this beer. While it is by no means *bad* I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anybody either. Definitely not the best Half Acre has to offer.

Serving type: can

08-13-2011 02:57:57 | More by duffcalifornia