Hook & Ladder Backdraft Brown

A: Pours a nice dark brown with a thick, frothy tan head and sticky lacing.

S: Saccharine and cloying smell, with roasted malts that betray a certain woodiness.

T: Molasses-like roasted malts with a nice, cloying, sticky sweetness. Slightly bitter finish brings out some nutmeg and spices.

M: I expected a beer with a strongly sweet and sticky aroma/taste to be extremely heavy, but this actually went down pretty light.

D: Delicious English Brown that's oh-so-drinkable. I have to compliment Hook & Ladder on how easy this goes down.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 11-19-2009 05:33:02 | id: 1041276

A- Pours a dark brown with a quickly dissipating tan head.

S- Smells of chocolate and caramel malt.

T-Tastes pretty roasty, and nutty. Finishes dry.

M- Pretty thin body. Carbonation is a little much for me on this one.

D- Goes down pretty easy but I'm not a fan of the roastiness or thin body of this Brown.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 10-29-2009 03:31:18 | id: 1026185

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a standard pint.

A: Dark brown. 1 finger foamy tan head. Settles fairly quickly, leaving a little layer of bubbly carbonation on the surface. Small spots of lacing quickly retreat back into the brew as you drink.

S: Smoky roasted malt, oak, and walnut.

T: Tangy roasted malt flavor. A little woody, with a hint of sweetness.

M: Light and carbonated feel. Woody aftertaste remains.

D: Pretty solid. Simple flavor and a nice body.

Decent atmosphere. Appearance is pretty solid, although not all that exciting; and nose is pretty basic and subtle, but pleasing. Good flavor... again, nothing complex, but nice combination of components. Overall, this is a pretty good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 10-09-2009 23:23:26 | id: 1012995

The name scared me a little, but this isn't your normal "dirty" beer. Highly recommended!

A: Dark, dirty, golden-brown. Pours thick and holds a 2-finger head..with sticky lacing that remains throughout the whole beer.

S: Very sweet smelling..caramel or chocolate, or both. Hints of nutmeg or coffee beans. Complex group of smells that blend pleasantly.

T: As good as the smells hinted at. Sweet but not too sweet, with the appropriate bite of bitterness as you swallow. More malty than hoppy which I think is better suited for this beer.

M: Light and refreshing, which comes to my surprise judging its thick body and heavy aroma. Not overly carbonated.

D: Definitely want to sit down with a sixer and review this beer properly..I'm sure its got a lot more to it than people realize.

Overall I thought I was in for a "New Castle" copycat...instead I was surprised to find out it is a very unique beer, one that every beer drinker must try (including you Alström Bros!!!)

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 10-07-2009 19:44:42 | id: 1011515

Poured a nice brown color with a nice creamy head. Very nice lacing.

Smells nice, lots of sweet malts in the nose.

The taste is pretty damn good. Lots of nice malty notes with a subtle hop finish. Nice sweet chocolatey finish.

In the mouth it is very smooth with almost too much carbonation. Still a good balance.

This would make a good session beer. I will definately have this beer again. It has some very nice elements for a great price.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 09-21-2009 05:25:21 | id: 1000371

A. Poured a clear dark mohogany brown, with a short tan head. Good lacing on the glass.

S. Carmel, malt, Roasted nuts, leaves

T. Sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, with a bitter middle, aand a soft sweet finish.

M. Medium bodied, lightly carbonated

D. Great brown ale, I like how it starts sweet, then goes slightly bitter, and has a short lasting sweet aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 09-13-2009 17:26:54 | id: 995367

12 oz bottle poured into a Rock Bottom Brewers Choice pint glass

A - pours maple syrup brown with one finger of head that dissipates quickly

S - sweet, with a hint of hops

T - all around solid malt flavor, not overly sweet, tastes like a toned down version of Old Chub. Hops poke though a little bit.

edit - as soon as I reviewed this, it struck me, there is not a big maltiness, but rather a "nutty" flavor - definite nutty flavor

M - lightly carbonated, refreshing

D - refreshing, nice maltiness without overpowering, finishes pretty dry

An all around solid Brown Ale. A sessionable treat.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 09-05-2009 03:17:28 | id: 989824

Very good...rich roasted malt flavor...smooth finish. Won the 2008 Washington Post Beer Madness Championship, which is a big deal considering that breweries like Magic Hat, Dogfish Head, and Brooklyn Brewery were all in the race, if that says anything about this beer...

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 09-03-2009 21:01:51 | id: 988821

Presentation: Poured into a tulip glass from a 12oz. bottle with no freshness date.

A: Dark brown with a reddish tint. Nice tan creamy head that leaves moderate lacing.

S: Sweet caramel, nutty(hazelnut?), and malt smell. Not harsh though.

T&M: Fairly thin body with minimal to no carbonation. Tastes the same as the smell but fades quickly on the first sip. Subsequent sips carry the flavor further.

A decent brown ale. Brown ales are not my favorite and this one is okay.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 08-31-2009 23:38:59 | id: 987096

A: Dark brown with a reddish tint. Soft fluffy two-finger head melts to a creamy thin head that leaves fine lacing on the sides of the glass.

S: Sweet caramel, rock candy, malt smell. Easy on the nose.

T: Subtle hints of the great smells, but a little too subtle. Sweetness tries to appear in the finish, but never really hits.

M: Sharply carbonated, which takes away from the flavors, and seems a little odd for this style. Mouthfeel is a bit watery too.

D: A nice brown ale. Very drinkable and tasty. A little too carbonated for my tastes, but I certainly wouldn't turn one down.

Served: in an imperial pint glass.

Review notes taken on: 7/29/09

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 08-30-2009 02:06:40 | id: 985874