Ellie's Brown Ale - Avery Brewing Company

argock

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 64 oz brown growler into a Shaker pint. Purchased at Growler's Craft Beer and Ales (Hilton Head Island, SC) for $14.

A: Chestnut brown with 1-finger of light beige head which leaves several trails of lace.

S: Cocoa powder, milk chocolate, and sweet latte with dark maltiness without much if any fruitness and a light herbal hops note.

T: Very cocoa dominated with some sweet caramel toffee as well. This beer has one of the longest aftertastes, with some light sourness on the back end from the delicious dark malts. Minimal bitterness and not much hops flavor, but it doesn't really need it. This is a really good sweetish brown ale.

M: Medium-body with pretty active carbonation leaves a long aftertaste with dark malty residue on the palate.

O: Ellie's Brown Ale is a really good brown ale that I am glad I revisited. Inspiring me to try a homebrewed brown ale.

Serving type: growler

06-30-2012 02:24:09 | More by argock

wac9

Pennsylvania

2.36/5  rDev -39.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

yes i taste the vanilla but so yes t looks great in the the glass someone said they could drink drink this every night well i canr this beer brings nothing to me yeah i know it me but i cant like somethig just because you do enjoy this beer i wish i could

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:58:22 | More by wac9

plaid75

New York

4.01/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a deep brown hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was Goid retention and lacing.

The smell featured dry cocoa and roasted malt.

The taste consisted of roasted malts, soft chocolate and a touch of smoke.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a very nice brown ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2013 00:44:56 | More by plaid75

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured this American Brown Ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured dark brown color, produced a huge tan head, lacing and retention was excellent. The aroma consisted of toasted malt and carmel. Medium bodied, there was a foundation of roasted malted grain, sweet caramel and nuts. Semi dry finish. Overall this is an awesome American Brown Ale- It may be my new standard bearer- Awesome aroma and flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 21:12:07 | More by GossageBrewery

Jonada

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12oz can served in a pint glass. No freshness date.

Appearance: Brown with some hints of ruby red, but light enough that you can see through the glass when held up to light. About 1 finger of a light khaki colored head dissipated to a thin coating and collar.

Smell: Chocolate, toffee, tea, some earthy hops

Taste: Nutty, malty, chocolate, iced tea(?), slight earth.

Mouthfeel: Just lighter than medium bodied with medium carbonation. Goes down smooth. Very drinkable.

Overall: Decent sessionable brown ale. There's enough flavor going on that I would give it a recommendation, but it's not something that's going to knock your socks off.

Serving type: can

03-16-2013 20:20:42 | More by Jonada

JRed

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Deep dark brown mud with coffee with cream head. Cookie aroma with chocolate chips, earth, and brown sugar. Tastes of cookie, chocolate chips, brown sugar, earth, some vague herbal notes, and spices. The mouthfeel is where there's trouble: a bit light in body with medium carbonation. A nice brown ale.

Serving type: can

03-15-2013 22:50:35 | More by JRed

Yokoono76

Colorado

2.73/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: beautful deep cherry wood color, minimal head - maybe one finger.

S: smell is off putting. Has a metallic odor, not that inviting.

T: chocolate, nutty, malty and some vanilla. Chocolate and nut flavors dominate. It's a great drinkable ale for every day. Not bitter, somewhat light and smooth. The beer is kind of flat.

M: light in weight, light on the carbonation, would like to have a little more.

O: my husband really likes this beer, he refers to it as his "easy, everyday drinking beer". I however, think its just ok. It is an easy drinker, but it is slighty disappointing. I would like to see more depth to the beer. Overall, I would drink it again, but its just ok.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 00:16:21 | More by Yokoono76

barczar

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Slightly warm pour yields a dark brown opaque with garnet highlights and a frothy one inch tan head that slowly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Nutty, caramelly malt and toasted breadcrust begin the aroma. There's a bit of brown sugar sweetness, pine, and a touch of citrus at the finish.

Flavor reveals deep nutty notes, toasted breadcrust, hints of toffee, and a bit of roast at the finish. There's a little sweetness throughout. Citrus fruits appear mid palate and dissipate toward the lightly bitter, fairly dry finish. Chocolate emerges as it warms.

Body is creamy and on the full side, with slight slickness and carbonation on the low side.

Good toasted malt character, a touch of hops, but definitely malt focused, as it should be. No off flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 03:21:47 | More by barczar

capnamerica

Arkansas

3.74/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Moderately dark, with a small head.

S: Rich and malty.

T: Malty with a subtle chocolate undertone. Initially a light hoppy taste with a smooth chocolate finish.

M: Very smooth and creamy. Easy to drink.

O: Very solid beer, that has some complexity while maintaining that easyy to drink feel.

Serving type: can

02-20-2013 00:29:20 | More by capnamerica

Moose90

Colorado

3.74/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz can into proper glassware

A – Very deep dark brown. Medium height frothy head doesn't last too long but leaves good lacing.

S – Good typical malts here, some sweet, some dry, some chocolate and roasted nuttiness.

T – Nice light roasted malts, lends to some sweetness and a bit of a dry hop note to round things out.

M – Standard medium mouth feel, not too heavy, and nicely carbonated. Very smooth, if anything just slightly overcarbed.

O – Very nice, good balance between sweet light roasted malts and some nice nutty complexities as well.

Serving type: can

02-13-2013 05:56:22 | More by Moose90

dar482

New York

4.6/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite brown ales. It comes in a dark color, almost like a black stout or porter. The beer comes with nutty and chocolate notes that I would expect in a porter, but with a lesser extent. The finish is so nice. It ends when you want it. It gives it to you, then it finishes somewhat quickly with a flavor that does not stick on your tongue.

I had this again and it confirms my views. I consider something like Indian Brown to be "Double" Brown Ale. This is the best under "Brown Ales." The amount of malt, flavor, hop, and body they can get into this 5.5% ABV is crazy. It's up there with the great lagers. Just a wonderful beer.

I had it at Sweet Afton, in Astoria, NY.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 09:25:28 | More by dar482

MickeyBeer

Illinois

3.59/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A- Pours a deep brown, almost black color with about half a finger of light tan head that dissipates quickly. When held up to light it reminds of root beer. No real lacing to speak of.

S- Some malty aromas along with a little bit of a roasted smell. Not a lot going on here.

T- Nice roasted taste that has a little bit of sweetness along with a little bit of hop balance. Also catching some nutty tastes. Leaves a slightly burnt aftertaste.

M- Pretty light mouthfeel with a nice crisp carbonation. Very easy drinking. Could have several of these without exhausting your taste buds no problem.

O- Tasty brew that I could drink for hours. Didn't blow me away with flavors or complexity, but still a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 01:12:24 | More by MickeyBeer

harrymel

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

canned: unk

Brown with fleeting loose light tan foam and evident carb with large bubbles. Smells of coffee, cocoa, some soil and leather. Some bits of tea and metal. Flavor is biscuity, chocolate, coffee, nuts, roasty malts. Much better flavor than the nose - which is bland. Medium bodied with moderate carb and a wet finish with long aftertaste. Much nicer than I had expected.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 05:51:04 | More by harrymel

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can into mug.

A - Dark brown-red with a thick & creamy light tan head.

S - Nutty and bready with some caramel, chocolate, and faint earthy hops.

T - A tasty blend of sweet toasted malt, caramel, milk chocolate, and roasted nuts. Finishes with subtle earthy hops, dark fruit and a hint of smoke.

M - Smooth and extra creamy, medium body. Mild carbonation, crisp.

O - Impressive. Flavorful robust malt profile delicately balanced by light hops. Great drinkability.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 03:15:06 | More by mooseo

Huffs

New York

4.34/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a Sam Adams glass, nice head developed, tan in color, lasted with good lacing. Appearance was dark caramel brown with an aroma of malty sweetness. Taste was nutty and malty with a slight caramel / chocolate finish. mouthfeel was full and creamy with a dry. slightly caramel aftertaste. A really great brown ale.

Serving type: can

01-25-2013 03:24:23 | More by Huffs

pkalix

California

4.68/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at BT's Southern BBQ in huntington beach.
dark brown with nice tan head on top.
smells roasty and nutty and kinda chocolate-y and smells perfect for this cool, gloomy, rainy day.
taste is above with a smokiness to it; very refreshing.
overall, a very clean finish to a tasty and nutty brown. i really liked this one. it left a great aftertaste, wasnt bitter, but had some great qualities such as the earthy, roasted nuttiness. i could do several of these in succession.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 20:08:47 | More by pkalix

smiga

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

First, let me say I am not a brown ale fan.
Prefer amber, ipa or stout.

2nd, I am a fan of Avery, cans, and most Rocky Mountain micro-beers.

If you like Brown Ale, this blows away Newcastle.

Appearance - tawny, caramel brown, but let's face it brown ale is not the best color.
Smell - dog wet maltiness with sweetness riding on top
Taste - Natural, outdoorsy, woodsy, forward. Coffee / caramel hint.
Feel - Thinner than you'd expect

I prefer Avery's IPA.

Serving type: can

12-26-2012 21:45:12 | More by smiga

spoony

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a 12 oz bottle into a nonic.

A-The brew pours dark, walnut brown. Foam was pretty skimpy and dark khaki in color.

S-Milk chocolate smell up front with a little hit of roasted, nutty malts. As the brew warms, a little brown sugar creeps up. Not terribly fragrant.

T-Smooth, mild, chocolatey malts at first gulp. Then you get a little bit of caramel and nuttiness. The finish has just a little bit of hop kick. Very little bitterness.

M-Lighter bodied for the style with smooth, but noticeable carbonation. The finish is thin. This beer is quite drinkable.

O-There is nothing special about this brew, but it is a solid, drinkable example of the style. The chocolate smell and flavor are a little simple (as is the mouthfeel), but on a relaxing fall evening that calls for a few beers, you could do far worse than putting down a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 05:24:07 | More by spoony

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Mahogany body with a khaki head that retains ok but laces very well.

S/T - Robust chocolate up front. As it warms, more aromas and tastes such as brown sugar, coffee roast, some vanilla, nuttiness... hops kept to a minimum which works well.

M - Medium body, medium carb, very smooth and easy drinking.

O - Excellent example of the style and easy to drink. I'm getting this again.

Serving type: can

11-29-2012 23:46:51 | More by garuda

UnkleFester

Kansas

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Pours a dark brown color with about a fingers worth of off white head, doesn't have much retention but leaves behind a nice lacing.

S: Malts, toffee and a subtle hint of hops, didn't detect anything else.

T: starts out with caramel upfront followed by chocolate and toffee finishes out with a nice touch of hops.

M: A light to medium body with a light amount of carbonation.

O: While it might not do anything amazing it is still quite a well brewed example of a brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 02:26:17 | More by UnkleFester

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.23/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the brewery:

I've enjoyed this beer in a bottle and a can, as far as I can remember, and know it's good; the beer is a moderate brown, good hue but not too dark; quarter inch head; a lot of lacing, particularly from a brown; light ale on the nose; delicious light chocolate flavor; small hints of brown sugar; really good sessionable brown ales; in fact, one of the best I can remember

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 02:17:37 | More by SkeeterBoganski

dougbassett

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die" -- #7 of the ones I've reviewed.

Pours a mahogany brown, much as you'd expect, although a bit more red maybe than you'd expect. A nose to me that smells exactly like burnt toast, of all things, with maybe a bit of dark fruit at the bottom. (As the beer warms up the dark fruits come more to the fore.) The body has a rather "chewy" quality which I rather liked.

Flavors. This tastes, if you can imagine, like a "dry" cola -- if you took a Coke and removed all the sugar, leaving just the cola taste, you'd have this, sort of. It's Johnny One Note but a very interesting kind of one-note, I'm not sure I ever quite found that sort of flavor in beer before. The finish is thin, but not bad, a rather bracing sharpness.

I rather liked this one -- a lot of brown ales look good to me but disappoint once you actually taste them, but this one delivers on the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 01:42:38 | More by dougbassett

nickfl

Florida

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours with a small head of off white foam on top of a dark brown body with some clear, amber highlights showing though. The head settles fairly quickly and leaves light lace on the glass.

S - Some acidic roast malt and toffee.

T - Dark caramel and cola notes up front with some dry, dark bread. More toffee in the middle and a finish of light roast, cola, and dry molasses.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - A pretty run of the mill brown ale, perhaps a touch darker than most. Malt focused with little in the way of hop character but a balanced finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:50:56 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: thin head on a deep clear amber body. decent lacing.

S: alot of toffee and chocolate. some caramel malts as well.

T: not only does this one capture the chocolate flavor well, the texture of chocolate can be noted. toffee, light earthy hops with a sour note. nutty notes intermixed.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation

Overall: the complexity is nice for the style and its not too bland.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:49:07 | More by kylehay2004

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear dark brown in color with some dark amber highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall light beige head that slowly reduces to a couple of small patches of larger bubbles, a very thin film covering the entire surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of toasted malts with lighter notes of nuts and just a touch of sweetness.

T: Moderate to strong malty flavors including notes of toasted and caramel malts and just a touch of sweetness. There are lighter notes of nuts and brown sugar.

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and slightly creamy.

O: Very easy to drink and enjoyable - happy to have this one to celebrate a milestone. Sessionable. Well balanced.

This is beer review number 1000 for me, thus completing the smithj4 (Jazbo) challenge - 1000 unique beers in one year. Enjoyed this beer with metter98, my wife (Ellie), and my brown dog (Tsuki). Thanks to my wife, Ellie, for supporting me in this challenge which I completed in 9 months and 4 days just before the birth of my frist child (daughter). Also, important that I got to have it in a can since that is my favorite serving type.

Serving type: can

10-20-2012 22:17:50 | More by dbrauneis