Green Flash Nut Brown Ale - Green Flash Brewing Co.

Nugganooch

California

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased a 5-gall at the brewery that was dated 01/21/11. Glad to see GF bring this one out of retirement.

A: Pours a clean, dark mahogany brown with some bright reddish hues. Nice frothy tan head that dissipates quickly back into the glass. Little to no lacing.

S: Rich with toasty malt and sweet caramel aromas.

T: Big toasty malt, biscuit, tofee and sweet caramel flavors abundent. Some nice tart and spiciness to it. Solid bittering. Hops profound for the style.

M: Somewhat watery with slight residual stickiness. Would personally prefer a bit dryer finish.

D: Superb. A very well balanced low ABV brew that goes well for many occasions.

Overall a great brew. Very session like at 5.5% ABV. This also happens to be one of my wife's favorite craft brews so needless to say we took advantage of the limited release. As a sidenote I tapped my keg along side a bunch of BMC at a party and the NutBrown was the crowd fav by far.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 22:00:42 | More by Nugganooch

raszputini

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours solid brown. Malty nose followed by notes of caramel, nuts and carbonation . Taste notes of caramel, chocolate and deep roast - followed by nuttiness, finishing with light hops. Nice brew.
Very easy to drink. I enjoyed it and will drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 03:13:30 | More by raszputini

goalie33

New York

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Clear brown with almost no head. Very little carbonation.
S: Very sweet aroma. Nuttiness, caramel malt and a hint of hops.
T: Tastes as sweet as the aroma smelled. Tastes almost like a flat cola with a less intense flavor.
M: Soft with a very thin body.

I would have liked the beer to be thicker with a more full flavor and maybe some more hops to offset the sweetness a little bit.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2010 21:13:02 | More by goalie33

dbONE

California

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Green Flash

A nice creamy head....then it is reduced to a ring in the glass on top of the deep dark ruby color.
Sweet nutty aroma is promonate with a touch of buscuits and toasted raw grain.I expecting a nuttier flavor from the aroma profile but it has a nice toasty taste. The sweetness is mild and refreshing. The hops a hidding a bit ( or GF they are camoflauged) behind the malt.
This is one that can be enjoyed just about anytime of day but you may get board with the profile after a few.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2008 16:14:10 | More by dbONE

Floydster

California

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pint at the PB Tap Room a couple nights ago for four dollars, recommended by the bartender

Color was a medium brown with a lighter brown tint when held up to the light, a 1/2 inch light brown head, slight retention, but no real lacing

Smell had hints of chocolate, some faint hops, roasted nuts, mild cream, and hints of different fermented fruits

Taste was a little weaker than I expected but not bad, missing that nuttiness that I enjoy from a brown ale, hint of hops at the beginning cause a mild bitterness, as it warmed there was some milk chocolate in the finish but not enough to get excited about, malt was a little weak in this one, smell made this seem more promising, not much going on, just a dry thin ale that gets old after a few sips

Body was thin and the carbonation level was too high in my opinion, taste did not last long either, akward mouthfeel

Could drink much more than two glasses of this, pretty heavy stuff even though the ABV was only listed at 5.5% on the menu, taste gets old and not too smooth

Green Flash is a solid brewery but I think this one is one of their worst efforts, usually a fan of nut brown ales but this was just missing something and was too one dimensional, still better than some others, try it for yourself, cannot really decide on a recommendation for either way

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2008 08:15:47 | More by Floydster

Gmann

New York

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Based off my notes from my LA trip. Pours a chestnut brown color with an average light tan head that dissipated into a slight cap. The aroma is a tad faint, I pick up some light roasted malt and chocolate. The taste is of toasted malt, some roasted malt, and a nice chestnut flavor. A mild, grassy hop followed in the end. The feel was moderate and finished well balanced. Overall a good nut brown ale.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2008 04:31:08 | More by Gmann

Illinick

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On Tap at Mad Mex Monroeville
A: Mahogany Brown with darker brown and some slight reddish hues. Big, off white tan head that sticks around nicely. Good lacing
S: I could smell this one as soon as it was put down. Huge butterscotch scents throughout with some sweet nut and sweet malt scents. Although aromatic, everything seems to be drowned out by the butterscotch.
T: I have to admit the same problem persists here. Huge butterscotch flavors that are present throughout drown out other flavors. Some sweet bread, sweet malt flavors as well as some roasted nut flavors. The roasted nut flavors, though sweet in nature, try to offset the butterscotch but fall short.
MF: Medium Light.
Overall: Not quite sure what to make of this one. The butterscotch flavors were off-putting to me. Unique take, but not sure one I would try again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2006 14:44:07 | More by Illinick

jcalabre

California

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this beer on draught at Stone's 7th Anniversary party.
Appearance: This pours a clear reddish brown with a thin tan head.
Aroma: The nose on this beer is a nice roasty toasty smell.
Flavor: Up front, you're hit with a slight bit of maltiness and the finish is slightly hoppy.
I was expecting a lot more maltiness.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2003 00:08:47 | More by jcalabre

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours an appealing copper brown with nice highlighs. Decent amount of head, ok retention.

S - Nutty indeed, lots of nuttiness with some right caramel malt to back. Very nice.

T - Great nuttiness here again and some nice caramel and biscuit malts. Best example of the style I've had outside the UK I think.

M - As expected, a bit bit more carbonated than it should be I think.

O - A fine beer. I see they've brought it out of retirement, I wonder if they've made some tweeks, because it's deserving of a higher mark than it currently carries I think.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 01:49:13 | More by IllNate

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sample at Alan's HSC initation. Bottle from Howard's Market in Tehachapi, CA. Pours a brownish-amber color with a thin light tan head that diminishes steadily. Stringy lacing on the glass. Toasted malt and nut aroma with a bit of hops. Medium, smooth body with flavors of nuts and caramel malt, plus a touch of hops and chocolate. The finish is nutty with a mild hops and semi-sweet chocolate aftertaste. Pretty good overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 01:44:50 | More by Dogbrick

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12oz brown pop top with nice ditty about the beer...there's no best by date, and I see that this beer has been discontinued, so I wonder how old this sample is...

Appearance: Murky/hazy reddish brown beer with a creamy dark ivory cap which soon fades to a medium film

Smell: This one's all about the malt; big toasted bread and cocoa notes predominate...hints of raisin as the beer warms

Taste: Mild chocolate and toasted malts predominate, with a bit of roast on the finish and perhaps just a bit of coffee...this is sweet throughout, but ends a bit dry and a touch bitter. Hint of nuttiness (hazelnut?) on the finish.

Mouthfeel: The only real downside of this ale, it's a bit fizzy and somewhat thin

Drinkability: High

Conclusion: The aromas were quite nice, but somehow this ale just falls a bit short...the mouthfeel is a major detractor and the slightly bitter/roasted finish seem a bit out of place

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2009 04:58:24 | More by BedetheVenerable

yemenmocha

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hoppy nut brown ale? Pours medium brown with tan head, and a great start from the looks of the beer. Nose is somewhat restrained, throwing a slight caramel scent. Palate offers a strange contrast of rather big roasty/chocolatey sweet flavors with quite a bit of hop bitterness. Slows down the drinking for sure, almost as if this one is a stout or porter wannabe.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2009 05:50:47 | More by yemenmocha

Offa

California

3.93/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a fairly dry but tasty, well-balanced, smooth, nutty brown ale avoiding some weaknesses that I commonly find (one-dimensional character, off-balanced burnt-bitter character, extreme blandness).

Deep red-brown, it has a large tan head that slowly shrinks and leaves a little weak lace.

The aroma is darkly toasted bread and nuts with hints of coffee, chocolate, and fruit, mostly raisins. It's good and not too sharp or burnt.

The taste is also nicely toasty and nutty without being burnt or sharp, although it's a bit subdued in flavour and is not very complex. It has a light fruity quality as well and is very smooth with nice balance. It has a lightly dry, toasty finish and is quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2009 23:44:22 | More by Offa

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle tried 15 May 2008.

Pours with a medium sized brown head. Deep reddish brown color, slightly cloudy. Smells like cinnamon raisin bread. Starts out very mild, faint caramel sweetness, some vanilla. Some hazelnut, earthy. Slightly bitter astringent aftertaste. Medium body. Light alcohol.

Decent session beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2009 06:03:27 | More by htomsirveaux

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to jwc215 for this brew.

Pours a very nice golden brown color, nice carbonation, very nice one-finger creamy tan head, which does leave some very nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, with lots of caramel, slight toffee. The taste is very nice, malty, sweet, lots of caramel, with some toffee thrown in. Medium body. Drinkable, another very tasty brew from GF, I really like this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2009 21:09:41 | More by Wasatch

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very nice two finger creamy/foamy head tops a dark amber beer with as many ruby highlights as brown. Nice clarity, but very deep in color. No visible carbonation.

Aroma was very thick, sweet, malty and dare I say a bit nutty....Some strong caramel notes.

Initially more fruity than I would have thought. Grains, sweetness, malt and some caramel. Flavor ends a bit quickly.... Would have liked a little more of a finish.

The mouth feel is fairly light and the carbonation fights the flavor a bit.

Drinkable yes... Classic? No... Green Flash makes some awesome beers. This is just one of their "good" ones....

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2009 00:07:55 | More by Reagan1984

brentk56

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a fairly clear dark amber color with a modest head that leaves a few shards of lace

Smell: Caramel, malted milk and a touch of nuts

Taste: Opens with a malted milk flavor that is quickly joined by a caramel aspect and moves in a bitter nutskin direction by mid-palate; a bit of fruity hops appear right after the swallow but the finish winds up with a bit of cocoa sweetness

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Not the best brown ale out there, but it hits on the style and adds a bit of west coast hop flair

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2008 23:31:41 | More by brentk56

bbothen

California

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear crimson/brown color with a bubbly 2 finger deep off white head. Lots of sticky lacing.

Big malty aroma, sweet caramel, fruity, chocolate, faint toasted aromas.

Sweet caramel maltiness, toffee, nutty, fruity bitterness, chocolatey finish. A fine tasting brew.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth, lush, satisfying.

A nice, tasty, satisfying brown ale. Very user friendly. Nothing here to blow you away. Session it up.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2008 20:28:51 | More by bbothen

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured in to a Sam Adams glass.

A: Slightly cloudy redish brown body. Much redder than most brown ales I've seen. Slightly off white head, decent staying power, okay lacing.

S: Great caramel smell, maybe a hint a vanilla. Sweet malt dominates for sure.

T: Sweet caramel flavor, a nutty taste (a promised ) near the finish. Slight bitterness on the finish balances everything well. Hops aren't noticeable except for that bitterness.

M: Good thickness, but with too much carbonation for my taste

D: Really easy drinking, maybe a slight astringency or lingering bitterness.

Good everyday brown I'd say.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2008 01:29:42 | More by 51mmz0rz

number1bum

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to dukedebourgogne for throwing this in as an extra.

Pours a clear light reddish mahogany color, a few bubbles rising to the top to meet two fingers of khaki head. Keeps a thin lace and doesn't leave much stick.

Smells of caramel malt, brown sugar, cocoa, and toasted nuts. Pretty nice but a little weak.

Taste has those same components that I mentioned regarding smell, with the cocoa flavor being a bit more prominent and mingling with some nuts, which is quite nice. Seems a bit on the thin side unfortunately, which is too bad because it is quite tasty. Mouthfeel is a little thin, light bodied and pretty crisp.

Not a bad nut brown ale, and a very easy drinker. Could use a bit more robustness of aroma and flavor, but a great session beer. Too bad it is to be no longer.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2008 21:06:25 | More by number1bum

ckaufman

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I heard a nasty rumor that this beer is being discontinued... that's a damn shame!!!

A: Slightly hazy semi-transparent brown color with a nice tan head. Minimal lacing, but a lasting retention inside the glass.

S: As the name suggests... this has the smell of nuts with a slight coffee scent thrown in for good measure.

T: Again, as the name suggests... nuttty flavor with a minimal influence of hops in the background.

M: Smooth, smooth, smooth... just thick enough, and just thin enough! Minimal carbonation which reminds me of the classic Newcastle Brown Ale.

D: All night long!!!

Sorry to see this one fall by the wayside! I guess in a world of extemes, it's just not good enough to walk down the middle of the road!!!

Goodbye...

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2008 16:19:05 | More by ckaufman

Halcyondays

California

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours brown with a small off-white head with good retention, light lacing, looks good in a pint glass.

S: The smell is strong with a hint of chocolate, and backbone of nuts and caramel malt.

T: Very nutty, the name says it all. Sugary, treacle like at time. Hops are restrained, with a bit of a spicy bite at the back end of the flavour.

M: Medium-bodied, quite drinkable, would be an easy be to quaff pints of.

D: A good brown ale, not as good as Alesmith's, but solid. Unfortunately it is getting discontinued apparently, but a nice example of how a San Diego County brewer making a mild, sessionable and flavourful ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2008 02:52:16 | More by Halcyondays

ThreeWiseMen

California

4.05/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up at Lincoln Market & Deli in SLO after I heard that it was being discontinued.

Appearance: Semi-opaque orangish brown with thin off-white head that leaves pretty good lacing down the walls of my glass.

Smell: Not a whole lot going on here. Faint chocolate and nuts with a little caramel. Smells clean I suppose

Taste: It's really sad they're discontinuing this. One of the best brown ales I've had. Same sentiments felt by my fellow wiseman. Initial chocolate flavor gives way to delicious peanut brittle and finishes dry and hoppy. I don't think I've ever had a brown ale that embraced the hops as much as this one... maybe that's why we liked it so much.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and very "clean" feeling. Dry aftertaste leaves you craving more.

Drinkability: Fairly light yet extremely flavorful. Could drink these guys forever. Will definitely buy more. Unfortunately, supplies are limited so we'll probably go down the street to Lincoln and buy the rest that they have.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2008 20:29:28 | More by ThreeWiseMen

m1ked

California

4.5/5  rDev +25%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bittersweet review here. Sweet that I picked up a case for $20. Bitter is that is due to GF discontinuing their Nut Brown. I guess Chuck has to make room for the likes of the Double Stout (mmm, Homer Simpson salivation...Double Stout) and the Grand Cru also very saliva producing.

A- Pours a clear ruby red brown with a brief 1/2 inch sandy head that turns into a thin sandy layer. No real lacing to speak of here.

S- Malty sweetness clearly in the front, fading into a blend of caramel, and seems like a hint of chocolate. No real bitterness that I can appreciate. It makes me think of a cross between a bwine, and a stout....but subtle.

T- Ahh, the payoff...sweet caramel right away, with that almost creamy hint of chocolate. Once the sweetness fades it leaves a bit of balancing bitter on my tongue.

M- Some flavors almost seem creamy to me, but the carbonation really holds up without distracting my enjoyment.

D- I am so bummed that they are discontinuing this beer. Hopefully it will make a comeback....maybe a seasonal brew? This is such a tasty and easy drinking beer...I wish I had more. Easily a sessionable beer....while it lasts.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 21:10:21 | More by m1ked

HumuloneRed

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12. oz. Bottle. From the beer of the month club.

Pours a clear crimson with a dusty khaki head and slick lacing.

The nose is malty sweet with hints of almonds.

The flavor is smooth and malty with just enough bitterness in the finish for balance.

Nicely made and flavorful beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2008 15:35:11 | More by HumuloneRed