Chestnut Hill - Lift Bridge Brewery

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this at Lift Bridge night in Edina.

Served in a pint glass.

1 finger of fizzy tan head. Color is a hazy amber copper dark brown. Head fades down quickly. Leaves splatted lace.

Aroma: nut and caramel flavors with some sharp earthy hops and toffee.

Taste: Dry taste to it. Caramel with a bunch of roasted nuts. Bready malts and toffee as well.

Mouthfeel: Dry and crisp. A little bitter. Medium bodied with a lower amount of carbonation. Ends a little dry with roasted malt aftertaste.

Overall, a decent seasonal beer. For the abv it is fairly drinkable. However, this was a one and done for me.

Serving type: cask

12-18-2009 09:01:25 | More by mothman

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.05/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Chestnut Hill pours a dark brown color, with a nice tan head. The aroma has just a very slight nutty sweetness to it. The taste is lacking, just hints of a roasted malt, mostly flavorless, but not bad tasting. Easy to drink, but weak flavors. Overall a pretty average brown, weak in flavors, but its certainly not a bad beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2013 21:23:29 | More by vette2006c5r

zeff80

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured a clear chestnut color with a one-finger, khaki colored head of foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled nutty with some caramel notes.

T - It tasted nutty and spicy with a nice malty finish.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is an interesting brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 21:23:40 | More by zeff80

warnerry

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a slightly hazy brown with a tinge of amber. One finger of tan head dissipates quickly, leaving only scant lacing.

S - Quite nutty with some brown sugar, spices

T - Spice is quite apparent initially, with cinnamon, allspice and faint cloves. Malt quickly catches up and is mostly nutty, but a bit of bread i the taste as well. Finish is a mix of sweet, dry and somewhat bitter. The bitterness detracts from the taste slightly, but this is still pretty good.

M - Medium mouthfeel, starting a bit sticky sweet, changing to bitter and semi-dry.

O - Pretty good spiced brown ale, but doesn't stand out in any particular way.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 22:26:37 | More by warnerry

ChopperSmith

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a brown bottle into a standard clear pint glass.

Appearance: Slightly hazy medium brown color. One finger of beige foam that faded quick and left minimal lacing.

Smell: Sweet and malty with a little spice and some barely noticeable hops.

Taste: Semi-sweet and malty with a little caramel and brown sugar. Very little hops, so it's fairly smooth. Finishes semi-dry. Not much hops for balance.

Mouth Feel: Medium body with a bit too much carbonation. Finishes a little dry.

Overall: Not one of my favorite styles, and this one really isn't very exceptional or unique. So, I probably won't seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 21:51:56 | More by ChopperSmith

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a 12oz Pint Tumbler

Appearance - Dark Brown/Black with slight Crimson tinge around the edges. Pours a half finger head and leaves behind some good sticky lacing

Smell - Chocolate mixed in with coffee, toffee, and some cinnamon. There's also a slight earthy hop smell present as well.

Taste - Dark Chocolate and coffee flavor with hints of cinnamon and spices. Really warms you up thanks to the mixture of cinnamon and spices, which gives the flavor a distinct zing.

Mouthfeel - Carbonation is light, but the overall feel is a bit more intense thanks to the spices at work. Overall body is fairly moderate and not overtly thin.

Overall - This is one of the stranger brown ales I've had. It has enough distinct flavoring to make things interesting, but the chocolate and cinnamon combination does seem to be a bit out of place. It's certainly not a bad thing, it just seems out of place for a beer that traditionally has chocolate and coffee notes. If a winter warmer and a brown ale were to have a baby, this beer would be the closest thing I've had so far to being that child

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 02:57:52 | More by NuclearDolphin

Mdog

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Apperance: Dark brown, good head.

Smell: Chocolate, not too strong.

Taste: Dark chocolate, a little nutty. Leans a little towards the bitter side with the dark chocolate.

Drinkability: Doesn't seem as strong in abv as listed, I suppose that's a good thing.

Brown ales are hit and miss with me. I had this a year or so and was pretty impressed by the nut flavor. However, this bottle was more like a mini-stout with the dark chocolate bitterness overtaking the nut flavor. Still pretty decent beer though.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 20:23:53 | More by Mdog

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Dark and somewhat cloudy brown with tints of amber red and lots of bubbles. Big three finger light tan head with very good retention and lacing.

Smell: Sweet aroma of dark roasted malts, chocolate, and toffee with big hints of cinnamon and dark berries from the allspice. The spices make themselves known well and are not overbearing.

Taste: Sweet kick from the roasted malts and chocolate with a bit of cinnamon spice from the allspice. Spices are followed by more roasted malt sweetness and light hints of earthy hops in the finish. Well balanced and tasty.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Very creamy and smooth.

Overall: A very good take on a brown ale. The allspice ads a nice kick of spice.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 05:29:38 | More by MattyG85

THECPJ

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes:

appearance: dark brown with orange hue and 1 finger off white head

smell: spices, caramel, malts,

taste: nutmeg, cinnamon, spices, caramel,

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium body,

overall: intersting beer. just wasn't really into this beer.

cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 18:14:38 | More by THECPJ

mdaschaf

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark brown with a small head upon pouring, but it was gone very fast and left behind no lacing whatsoever.

S: Very nutty with some chocolate. It is on the sweet side with a little bit of spice and no sign of hops. Lightly roasted malt.

T: Opens up with some caramel and roasted nuts. This is followed by a bit of sweetness and a bit of dark fruit and a bit of cocoa.

M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation.

O: A nice little brown ale, relatively high in abv, but you can't tell at all. Nice nutty flavor with a bit of cocoa. Quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 17:55:17 | More by mdaschaf

happygnome

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: pours a transparent deep brown color with about a quarter inch of head that disappears quickly leaving a good amount of lacing on the sides of the glass and top of the beer. Carbonation bubbles can be seen continuing to rise to the top.

S: Bready malt aroma, allspice, cocoa. The nose is a little sweet but there is some balancing

T: Strong roasted bready flavor, hints of cinnamon and all spice.

M: medium bodied beer with nice carbonation.

This is a very nice brew that I am sure I will pick up atleast one six pack of

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2011 17:29:39 | More by happygnome

lurpy1

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Split a bottle with my wife last night. This is our first Lift Bridge beer other than Farm Girl, which I like and my wife adores.

Pour a solid, opaque brown, with very little head. No head to speak of.

The smell is classic brown ale smell, a little deep, not overly hoppy, a nice mix of spices coming through.

A very good tasting beer, with hoppiness which is pronounced but not overbearing. I'm picking up undertones of nutmeg, cinnamon, and strangely enough, Dr. Pepper. This is why I don't taste for a living.

Good mouthfeel, reasonable carbonation.

Lift Bridge lives in the considerable shadow of Surly here, but they are now 2-for-2 in my book. This is an underrated beer, I might even like it better than Bender. I'll keep my eye on Lift Bridge.

EDIT 1/11. Upon further review, this beer is far too muted for the grades I gave it. Decent start, bland finish. Changing grade from B+ (old style) to C+ (old style)

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 13:54:08 | More by lurpy1

argock

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle into a clear glass mug. No freshness date. Consumed thanks to the generosity of my brother Greg.

A: Murky thick dark brown with soft, tightly bubbled light beige, 1-finger head with decent retention and a few spare lace forms.

S: Chocolaty with a solid dark malt backbone with some burnt raisin and fig aromas. Hops are very muted. The spice sneaks in, mainly cinnamon.

T: I generally do not like spiced beers, usually because the spice is brought to the forefront and covers the maltiness. Not so with Chestnut Hill as they use spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to accent the dark maltiness, vanilla bean, and cocoa flavors. This is a really well-crafted brown ale, using complementary flavors to bring the whole up a notch from the sum of its parts.

M: This brew is very smooth and creamy with muted carbonation to give it a substantial feel without heaviness.

O: I am impressed with Chestnut Hill, and with the Lift Bridge beers I had a chance to try this week. I think this is the best of the bunch, with its nuanced spice maltiness and vanilla and cocoa notes. Definitely recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 17:19:00 | More by argock

GeezLynn

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: Dark brown body with a moderate tan head that is well-retained.

S: Sweet and very malty aroma. Toffee, chocolate malt, and spices.

T: Raisins, allspice, and vanilla, with a light sweetness. Plenty of flavors here, followed by a strong roasted bitterness that is a bit excessive. Malt gives the impression of more of a chocolaty brown than a nutty brown. Finish is long, bitter and slightly cloying.

M: Medium bodied with large, somewhat harsh carbonation.

While I liked Crosscut, as someone who likes brown ales I’m not too impressed with this one. Mouthfeel is off-putting and I don’t think the spices add much. Have given this one a few chances and am not a fan.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 22:36:15 | More by GeezLynn

FosterJM

California

3.6/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

300th review on BA
Bottle to pint
12oz bottle

Thanks to Tmcelvain for this extra.

App- Dark caramel brown with a quick receding one finger head. No lacing at all.

Smell- Slight spice, brown sugar and a toasty nutty scent.

Taste- Spicy, nutty and a bit sweet. The malts balance out some nice underlying sweet flavors.

Mouth- medium bodied with a medium carb level. Slight sugary after taste.

Drink- A very welcome extra from a great BA in MN. Sweet, malty with nice flavors. I can see good things from this young brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 05:40:12 | More by FosterJM

msjacilynn

Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: brown with sudsy tan head. decent lacing throughout.

S: hard to pick this one up. some sweet malts perhaps a bit nutty.

T: a tad sweeter than I expected. roasted malts, brown sugar, nuts and light bite of hops at the end. nice beer, especially if you are in the mood for a sweet brown.

M: medium in body and carbonation.

D: good drinkability...we decided it tasted like Christmas. :o)

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 02:07:39 | More by msjacilynn

deebo

Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-tight foam (Guiness like) dark and clear
S-Roasted malt with sweet prune like aroma
T-Dark heavily roasted malt with coffee and dark chocolate notes. Heavy sweet bread yeast with smooth light hop flavor
M-Heavy
D-Too heavy for more than a couple but good for dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 04:19:10 | More by deebo

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lift Bridge's Chestnut Hill is a rich brown color with only a wisp of foam, served in this instance from the tap. The mild aroma conjures wintery, spicy chocolate concoctions. The flavor follows the aroma with a bigger dose of cocoa chocolate and plenty of sweetness. Spice is certainly detected, but the sweetness dominates. The spice provides the balance here since very little hops presence is detected at the finish. This brew is a little sweeter than others in this category, but still solid and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 23:30:47 | More by BeardedBoffin

TCMike

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a mug. It produced a 1 finger beige head. The color of the beer was a dark brown/amber.

The smell was nice, not over powering, and not too faint. It was of roasted malts, brown sugar, nuts, and some spice.

The taste was similar to smell. Very good. It is a little sweeter than some browns, but I like it. The carb was med-low, and it had a medium body.

Thank you Heritage liquor guy for the recommendation. This is a great brown, and locally brewed.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 22:29:11 | More by TCMike

tmcelvain

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Tap at the Muddy Pig and Groveland Tap

L: dark brown with a medium sized red head.
S: fruity malts.
T: Creamy fruit maltiness, very complex and pleasing, much sweeter than your typical brown ale.
M: Creamy, warm and thick from the cask pour. Still retains some carbonation and sweetly spicy on the back of the mouth.
D: oh, yes.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2011 04:32:03 | More by tmcelvain

CooperEllis

New York

3.38/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into .3l. From chixdighops, thanks very much.

The pour is very nice, 1/3" head of dirty tan over a deep brown. Given the name "Chestnut" I was expecting something a bit lighter, but this is a pretty ale more remenescent of included cinnamon.

There is a malt/roast aroma but little evidence of either the cinnamon or alspice that the label boasts.

The taste is malt forward, there is a stong flavor of cinnamon initially, but the malts take over. Truly very little allspice. I write it that way because the back label proclaims "a rich brown ale with scant amounts of spices for unique layers of flavor..." There are several layers, especially if you take the time to roll the ale around your tounge. A gentle cinnamon flavor is the most evident.

Really nicely balanced mouth, the lacing and carbonation are present in the full body.

I can't see drinking a whole lot of these. It is very good, and I'm certainly enjoying this but the longer I drink it the more the 'ale' fades and the 'spices' come to the front. If you're looking for ONE great spiced beer, grab this. If you're looking for a brown ale that you can 'session' (apologies to the purists as this is well over 'session' at 7%) than I'd look elsewhere.

(47th)

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 01:55:08 | More by CooperEllis

TheDudeBeers

Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle to Pint Glass

A - Deep Brownish Amber. About a finger of head

S - Not an overwhelming smell but I do detect some spices and malt.

T - It tastes like roasted malt, Cinnamon, All Spice, and some nuttiness.

M - Fairly carbonated and spicy tasting especially for a Brown Ale

D - All in ale not a bad pint. Some really interesting flavors going on but I wouldn't drink this on the reg.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 01:57:02 | More by TheDudeBeers

gatornation

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a slight hazed deep brown "chestnut" color with some red striations a nice tan collar and lacing is left.smell is spicy,toasty,malty and nutty,,baked bread in the back,very nice..taste is much the same its nutty with baked bread some roasted malts a little allspice/and or cinnamon some nutmeg..mouth feel is like a winter warmer it a full taste that fill the beer buds with nice warm roasted flavor..i liked this brown alot..to me its like a winter warmer,,good and recommended,,just an all round solid good brown ale

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 23:43:02 | More by gatornation

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a sixer from Zipps Liquors to split with friends. Poured into a wine glass, it was dark brown with a tall tan head. This was sort of a classic craft version of the American brown. It was big, thick and full of chocolate and toast flavor. Nothing really jumps out or defines the beers, it's just a big smooth blend of cocoa and barley. It makes a fine dessert beer, but not something I'd have more than a couple bottles of. It's on par with Lift Bridge's pale ale and a totally respectable brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 21:49:43 | More by tempest

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quite dark, very brown, almost black in lower light. A slight cherrywood deepness is cast across the body and more so around the edges. Medium capping of dark beige crowns the top with a firm creamy foam. Lots of lacing in thick spotty globs.

Aroma is quite soft, clean and light; quite the change from the Firkin Fest earlier this year when it was amazing. Obviously tamed down big time since then...why? Couldn't say really. But what's here now after my third glass of this stuff isn't much. Typical brown ale tone of light breadishness, a breeze of nutty sweetness, and whispers of vanilla, cinnamon, and all spice. A bit of dark sweetness of raisin and dates show as it warms.

Taste is a notch better if not more so then what the aroma hints to. A bit more complexity and a surprising length in tone creates a steady, easy going, sessionable brown. A bit dusty in the front with cocoa and darkly toasted malt bitterness which slips in a bit of coffeeness. Semi tangy in breads, milding, with a bit of dark jam spread across it edges of dates, raisin, and cinnamon toast. Carries a bit more of a darker roastyness emrging as you go.

Mild medium body with a dusty bite of cocoa, roast, and feathery spices floating about. Faint dryness builds as it finishes with a pinch of complexity within the dryness. Nice meld of spices and roasty/toasty grains.

A pretty solid brown as browns go. A nice take with adding a more darker character to what usually is a plain, light, and sweeter style.
About on track for what Lift Bridge has been doing. Hopefully they'll keep building bigger, better brews and emerge as another brewery this Minnesotan can be proud of.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 21:14:17 | More by tavernjef