Santa Cruz Brown Ale - Epic Brewing Co.

Tyrawlings

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

03-24-2012 03:18:17 | More by Tyrawlings

MN_Beerticker

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

06-15-2013 01:23:56 | More by MN_Beerticker

KohlbeckM

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2.2%

06-14-2013 01:32:07 | More by KohlbeckM

JMUbrewz

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

06-12-2013 20:00:46 | More by JMUbrewz

KlayWey

Idaho

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

06-04-2013 04:35:36 | More by KlayWey

Chugs13

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2.2%

06-03-2013 00:16:20 | More by Chugs13

Lukass

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-31-2013 03:35:08 | More by Lukass

drewone

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-28-2013 20:47:50 | More by drewone

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Release #5

A: Pours a clear almost opaque medium to dark brown in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some reddish brown highlights. The beer has a finger tall creamy tan head that slowly reduces to a couple of medium sized thick patch of medium sized bubbles, a thin film covering the remainder of the surface of the beer, and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of caramel and toasted malts along with light to moderate aromas of pine/resin hops.

T: Upfront there is a lot of malt flavors - moderate amounts of caramel malts as well as slightly less amounts of toasted malts. There is a light amount of upfront sweetness that is followed by moderate flavors of pine hops that contribute a light amount of lingering bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Slightly crisp upfront with a touch of creaminess in the finish.

O: Overall this is a nice and enjoyable hoppy brown ale that is easy to drink and available at a reasonable price - I would definitely have this one again... Well constructed with the hops mostly balancing out the sweetness of the malts and being quite complementary to the flavors/aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 00:21:27 | More by dbrauneis

brewski09

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Release # 3 poured from a bomber into a Dogfish Head standard pint glass.

A - a deep, dark mahogany colored brown ale. This looks kinda like a Newcastle Old Stock Ale portion of the recipe. The head pours a tight 1.5cm beige color. the head fades quickly, but maintains a thin covering of foam over the entire surface with heavy foam lacing left on the side of the glass from each sip.

S - This is where the beer really got me. I got a hop forward aroma as soon as I opened the bottle. The aroma is solidly hoppy, but with a curious earthy tone to it. There is some roast that is pretty unique too (reminiscent of a mild cedar), but its really the earthiness that I keep coming back too. maybe a little black pepper too.

T - sharp earthiness like a good french cheese that's been aged several years. That sharp earthiness melds into a unique hop combination with a firm bitterness that is balancing with the high residual sugar. The roast is more developed here. I am picking up some chocolate notes with light caramel sweetness too. There is some specialty malts here too, but I can't tell which ones. The hops are reminiscent of Bravo.

M - this is a very full mouthfeel. Quite probably the most pleasing quality of the whole beer. the carbonation is fine on the tongue and the oils and sugars coat the palate as well.

O - a surprising smash hit for me. One of those beers where you are done with the first half a pint before even noticing it and pouring the rest of the bomber trying to remember where you found it so you can get more. Not a beer that really tastes like anything I've ever had before, which is really why I find myself liking it so much. If this tasted like other stuff on the market, it would be unremarkable. its uniqueness elevates it.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:34:04 | More by brewski09

wonothesane42

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +10%

04-23-2013 23:20:51 | More by wonothesane42

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Release #5

Pours a cloudy, dark chestnut brown color that's nearly opaque with mahogany edges and a one finger, frothy beige head that slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Streaks and spots of soapy lacing left behind. Nice looking beer.

Slightly smokey, robust aroma with floral hops, lactic cream and sweeter malt notes rounding things out. Some lightly roasted coffee bean along with burnt toast, roasted nut and oatmeal followed by caramel, toffee, and chocolate. Subtle resinous, earthy hops but they don't get in the way of the complex malt presence.

Full bodied and surprisingly hop forward. Much stronger than the nose suggested with a nice balance of dry, earthy hops and light roasted malt notes. Actually not as complex as the aroma because the hop flavors are really strong and the malt presence is slightly one dimensional. Dank, earthy and bitter with lots of dry, grassy pine flavor that lingers throughout into a dry, roasty finish. As it warms, the malt flavors really come through with hints of caramel, toffee, hazelnut, chocolate and subtle roast. There's also some subtle lactic creaminess balancing things out. Aggressively hoppy for the style but is decently balanced after the palate adjusts. Could use a bit more roast and is hop pier than I prefer for the style, but this beer is enjoyable and easy to drink. A solid beer in an under appreciated style.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 05:40:59 | More by corby112

jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

Utah

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-03-2013 02:43:52 | More by jamesDaExMoBeerGuy

stealth

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

03-25-2013 07:11:48 | More by stealth

NickThePyro

Washington

4/5  rDev -2.2%

03-21-2013 03:22:28 | More by NickThePyro

ESeab

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

03-13-2013 20:20:13 | More by ESeab

RedneckBeerz

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -2.2%

03-09-2013 15:56:14 | More by RedneckBeerz

nwatson

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

03-08-2013 07:12:14 | More by nwatson

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in Totowa, having never tried this before. Brown Ales are usually easygoing beers for me but given that this came in a 22 oz. bomber, I figured that this would be a bit more aggressive and hoppy. That was indeed the case and even though I hadn't had anything quite like this before, this was one of the nicer surprises that I've had recently and even for it's larger size, I didn't have any trouble getting this down on a cold later Winter night!

Natrually, the pour was brown to this. A thick, tan head accompanied it and held on for a while before clinging nicely to the sides of my glass as I worked my way down. Usual soft aroma of molasses and caramel up front, backed up by more aggressive pine and citrus hop notes underneath. The alcohol was nearly undetectable and the carbonation was light but present throughout my drinking session. Not a lot of stickiness here nor was there any lingering burning or sharp bitterness from start to finish. Instead, this beer was strong enough to feel like an American Pale Ale while maintaining the lighter body and darkness of a Brown Ale, without seeing too complicated of over the top.

As I said before, the alcohol was perfect here and added just a hint of a warming effect once I finally finished this off. While there isn't such thing as a "Brown IPA" or an "Imperial Brown Ale", this would be a good start should those categories ever come to fruition. For now, it's a welcome change from the norm and likely to be enjoyed by most. No question that this was a nice find.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 05:58:10 | More by JerzDevl2000

mactrail

California

3.59/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

One of the most attractive Brown Ales I've poured. Dark umber brown with an amber glow. Big frothy head piled high with great retention. Pleasantly sparkly on the tongue.

There is some malty sweetness to start, but this is all about the hops. Dark notes of roasted barley and a touch of burnt sugar. Lots and lots of bittering hops. In fact this gets quite bitter after a few swigs. It's better with food. Not a beer for the long haul unless you're warming up for a major IPA.

Another interesting and well-made brew from Epic. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Bottleworks in San Diego. Label says Release #3 and 7.2% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 06:25:16 | More by mactrail

im4beer

Utah

3/5  rDev -26.7%

02-17-2013 17:06:20 | More by im4beer

SeaOfShells

California

4.5/5  rDev +10%

02-05-2013 02:55:42 | More by SeaOfShells

ste5venla

California

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

01-31-2013 02:01:46 | More by ste5venla

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.16/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Picked this up in NC, release#1

Pours a ruby tinged chestnut with 3 fingers of mocha colored head. Astounding lacing & good head retention

S: Brown bread, some toastyness & nuttyness

T: Brown bread, pineyness nutty & woody bitterness along with orange peel up front. Niice nuttyness to this as it warms, a touch of pecan & pecan shell along with more pine notes & slight citric hopyness, mostly orange peel. Finishes nutty, toasty, a little dry with piney & citrus hoppyness

MF: Medium bodied, fairly firm carbonation, super balance

A nice hoppy American Brown ale, another winner from Epic, very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 03:56:58 | More by russpowell

clayrock81

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a dark brown body with one-finger white head and lace ring on top of a malty, earthy aroma with a good balance between hops and malt (something akin to roasted, barley, light caramel). Medium-bodied and sturdy, the taste is one of roasted malt mixed dashes of burnt chocolate or coffee and some minor caramel sweetness. There are traces of citric and fruity hops and while I pleasantly enjoyed this fine sipper I will say that the hops are less for taste and more for balance (which isn't a bad thing). Finishes dry and a little crisp with not much of a backbite or alkie bite either.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 22:30:07 | More by clayrock81