AleSmith Nut Brown Ale - AleSmith Brewing Company

ILikeGoodCider

California

2.05/5  rDev -49%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A harbinger: I am not a big fan of Brown Ales.

Enjoyed on 06.26.09 from the tap, on recommendation from our server at JJ Brewsky's in Camarillo, CA. Served in a 16oz pint glass (dubbed "large").

A: Dark'ish brown w/ a disappointing head (hardly any). For an English brown I suppose it might border on average.

S: Nuts. Chocolate. Malt. As expected. Ok, maybe a ton more malt than I expected.

T: Uneventful. Really. I talked it through with my girlfriend (who didn't have this brew, but is well-versed in the finer points of craft brewing), and I couldn't come up with any other points regarding its taste that weren't typical brown ale comments.

M: Smooth & heavier than most browns. I really didn't feel the bitterness as most other reviewers found.

D: I couldn't wait to order a different brew. Sorry Alesmith, I love SOOO many of your brews (Decadence (several yrs), Speedways, Grand Cru, Horny D, Old Numb, et al.), but you let me down here...

Oh well, the Wee Heavy in my fridge will be well enjoyed in the near future!

For the record, I am a devout Alesmith fan (Tod, keep it up, I blame the distro!), I love your work.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2009 08:14:01 | More by ILikeGoodCider

tyanow

California

2.78/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: A little paler than what I would call a prototypical brown ale, with some reddish hues. Nice tan head that sticks a bit.

S: bready, a little bit of choco/caramel maltiness.

T: Nothing stands out but there is a muddled concoction of bread, dark malt, light hop....

M: Fizzy, lively, watery

D: If you want the look of a brown ale without quite so much heft, and the nuttiness of a typical brown ale is not desired or needed, one could drink a bunch of these 4.8% beers. Keep them cold as once this one warms up it loses all of it's already thin appeal.

I find this beer to be vastly overrated. I think nut brown is referring to the color and not the taste - shame. It lacks the rich smoothness that i expect from a brown ale. It is not terrible - obviously a lot of you like it, based on reviews but I find it thin and watery and lacking inspiration.

For the record - I am not 100% certain that I understand what is meant by "average" here. For a brown ale is that Newcastle? Sam Smith? Downtown brown? or is this average in overall beers?

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 19:44:07 | More by tyanow

DocJitsu

California

3.33/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brownish amber color with a taupe colored head. Nutty, earthy, chocolaty, and grassy aromas comprise the bouquet. The mouthfeel wasn't as full and creamy as the nose had led my palate to anticipate. It is a little thin and on the watery side. The flavor was even more of a disappointment. Some nuttiness, but nothing extraordinary. Some lactose and coffee acidity. Plus, this beer seems to drink more like a stout than a brown. Pretty unremarkable. Not a good effort by Alesmith.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 21:59:41 | More by DocJitsu

bulletrain76

California

3.38/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Draught at Fathers Office. Dark brown with a medium beige head. Toasted bread, light roast, coffee, and light spicy hop aromas. The flavor has light toffee and sweet caramel with coffee and light burnt/roasted flavors and some dark chocolate. Medium-light body with overly fizzy carbonation. The flavor profile is spot on, but the malt could be a little more substantial and the carbonation was too high.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2009 04:55:50 | More by bulletrain76

kojevergas

California

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on draught into a conical pint glass at the Yardhouse in Los Angeles, California. Reviewed from notes. Expectations were high given the brewery.

A: Pours a two finger head of fair cream, good thickness, and good retention. Colour is a dark nontransparent amber (NOT brown).

Sm: Strong nuts, cream, and chocolate. A mild strength aroma.

T: Heavy nuts, cream, and malts. Decently balanced, but merely average in build. It's pretty good, but nowhere near as complex as I'd expect from a brewery like Alesmith.

Mf: Smooth (with enough coarseness to bring out the flavour) and wet. Not too thick nor too thin.

Dr: Drinkable but underwhelming - especially for the brewery. I wouldn't get it again if other Alesmith beers were available. Brown ale fans will be satisfied.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 02:46:53 | More by kojevergas

DogFood11

California

3.48/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I could have sworn this was a porter. lots of burnt smell. coffee. dark brown appearance yet light on the palate. I didn't encounter the nuttiness I desired with this style. It was there but hidden deep in the brew. I hate to compare but the samuel smith variety stomps all over this in my opinion as it shares the nuttiness and has a high drinkability along with refreshing. The alesmith brewery is outstanding and this beer is recomended as it stretches the edge of a style. I liked the fluid body as it easily slid down to paydirt. I was so sure it was a porter I had the barkeep pour me a shot glass of it while I watched and sampled it....Yep..it was the right brew. Still good.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2005 00:52:50 | More by DogFood11

Lunchmade

California

3.48/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Went to AleSmith today to fill my growler. Tasted a few and the Nautical was my last (maybe could have weakened my palate a bit). I wasn't too impressed with the brown and usually, browns I dig. Nice color, smelled better than tasted. It did have some good nutty flavors and a mild hoppy finish, but that is what AleSmith strives for. Was hoping that it tasted as good as my olfactory sensed, but fell a little short. I would have it again but not in the top ranks of browns I love.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2009 00:30:13 | More by Lunchmade

armock

New York

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a brown color with a tan head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of toasted malt with nutty scents

T - Follows the nose toasted malt with a nutty flavor

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - Overall its a good everyday sort of brown ale nothing mind blowing just a good beer thats worth picking up sometime to try

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 21:30:41 | More by armock

smakawhat

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A good solid tan head, three fingers deep with lots of clump and valley like retention. Body color is a very nice dark indian red, quite opaque, can't see a thing at all. Quite impressive.

Bouquet on this brew seems to be light toasty malts, a hint of tannic nutty character. Some hazelnut creeps in, kind of small and subtle.

Palate hits with a somewhat thick and creamy character, however flavor seems to be following. Mid palate has some strangely clean simple grain aromas, with the toast character missing from the nose. A mild sourness (nothing crazy mind you) maybe even just a hint acrid on the finish too.

Overall, not that memorable for a brown ale unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 22:16:56 | More by smakawhat

FosterJM

California

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

854th Review on BA
Draft to Taster

@Boho Gastropub, Hollywood, CA

App- A melding of a good deep brown with a good amount of ruby/garnet edges. A 1-1/2 finger head recedes slowly with a very good amount of slide and cling.

Smell- A pretty good full nose on this one. A little roast with a little coffee and a little chocolate. Could've been a bit more full on the nose.

Taste- The taste drops from the nose a little with a unique prickly/bubbly roast and almond, pecan mix of flavors. It was good but just a tad different.

Mouth- A little bit of a medium body with a lighter medium carbonation level. A little bit of small roast flavors remain.

Drink- It wasn't the best Brown Ale but still pretty good. A bit watery and just a bit small. I'd like to give this another go with a full pint to see how it changes with temp.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 01:58:55 | More by FosterJM

charlzm

California

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Consumed July 26th, 2012 in a standard pint glass.

Beer pours a very clear deep cola color. Light gets through easily, resulting in garnet highlights. A moderate pour generates a rocky, off-white two-finger head: think root beer float. Sticky and long-lasting.

This is an aromatic beer; smoky, roasty notes mingle with a rich, bitter nutty smell. Outstanding.

Flavor is fairly mild: a little disappointing after the good looks and wonderful aroma. Restrained toffee gives way to over-roast bitterness on the finish. Carbonation seems to interfere slightly with tasting the malt. Not really bold or complex, but flawless.

Beer has a nice, creamy texture and perhaps too-strong carbonation prickle. Goes down smooth and easy.

Wanted to love this one, but I guess my memory was kind. I have had much better brown ales, though it's important to stress that this one is not at all bad, just a well-done example that sticks to the middle of the road.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 03:45:07 | More by charlzm

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Briens in San Diego.

Pours a clear brownish orange, coppery in the light, thin tan head forms, settles to a ring, some chunks of lace on the glass. Smell is quite nutty and toasty, some caramel, biscuits, grain, light floral, not much going on, kind of subdued. Taste is similar, nuts and toast, light fruits, biscuits and bread, caramel, bit of floral hopping, not much again. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation, smooth and easy enough to drink but not for exciting, even for a nut brown. Try it if you see it, but it didn't do much for me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2008 21:16:12 | More by Viggo

dgilks

Australia

3.59/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Slightly hazy nut brown colour with a creamy, light tan head. Poor head retention.

Slightly nutty, slightly oxidised aroma. Touches of malt and sweetness. Okay.

Dry and slightly fruity. The malt is a touch nutty and a little roasty too. Somewhat earthy. Okay.

Medium-light body with moderately-high carbonation. Fine.

A decent beer but it is a little dry and fizzy for the style. I don't mind it.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 08:02:26 | More by dgilks

tpd975

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Alesmith.

A: pours a nice nutty brown hue with a brownish white head. okay retention with no lace.

S: Nice roasted malt aromas with hints of chocolate and nuts.

T: Nutty caramel goodness with a touch of floral hops. Nice roasted quality adds enjoyment.

M: Medium in body, smooth.

D: Not my favorite style but pretty tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2009 15:58:16 | More by tpd975

JayTheFinn

California

3.63/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Caught Alesmith's Nut Brown on-tap at O'Brien's down in San Diego. It had a nice brown look and a solid head. Nothing in the scent department jumped out at me, but it had a nice nutty but not overwhelming taste. It's got a pretty long lingering aftertaste though that didn't agree with me. I could down a few of these in a sitting if there was nothing else I wanted to try.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2006 01:19:04 | More by JayTheFinn

Westsidethreat

California

3.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap after the BA Speedway stout handouts.

A: Garnett amberish brown in color with a minor tan head.

S: Light caramel, touch of nuttyness, bready yeast and a little bit of bakers chocolate.

T: Fresh dough, caramel malts, chocolate notes, minor touch of bitterness. Not as much nutty flavors as I would have expected.

M: Smooth, creamy.

D: Good. I would have liked to get a growler of this for further review...but when presented with all the other options at Alesmith I couldn't bring myself to get the brown.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2006 20:42:32 | More by Westsidethreat

notchucknorris

California

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap at O'Brien's

A: Clear dark brown color with ruby tinges and a thin tan head.

S: Ground almonds/almond meal, caramel, roasted malt and some freshly ground coffee as it warms.

T: Lots of nutty malts, some day old coffee grounds, hazelnut and roasted malt. Something about the taste told me this beer was old. It seemed faded and I remember liking it a lot more the last time I tried it. I'll have to revisit this one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 05:48:10 | More by notchucknorris

CharlesDarwin

Rhode Island

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Originally reviewed November 26, 2006. On tap at AleSmith. Liquour-like Frangelico-type aroma, with wafting alcohol notes on a tone of nutty toast and malt. Dry. Heavy brown pour, with a nice creamy froth. A light and refreshing taste, however bold with quality hazlenut and tawny pale fruits to combine for a nice quality in a brown ale. Touches of saltiness in the nutty character. Both drinkable and full of distinction, yet having nice balance. Something that makes this top considering the quality of the body.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2006 19:17:44 | More by CharlesDarwin

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at Stone Bistro. A very good brown, rich and malty. Rather very good for the style. Nutty flavourfull, chocolate malt. Smooth middling mouthfeel, good drinkability when you are up for a sessionable beer that is not ultra-hoppy. It all helps to have understated carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 20:26:21 | More by northyorksammy

magictrokini

California

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tap @ O'Brien's. Pours clear brown with a short-lived off-white head. Aroma of nuts and caramel. More nuts in the taste; almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts. Nice blend of caramel and cocoa and a slightly smoky finish. I'm still not a huge fan of brown ale, but this was very good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2008 23:17:21 | More by magictrokini

DarthKostrizer

California

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Look: Dark brown top with a red bottom and a 1/8 inch tan head with little to no retention

Smell: Lots of roasted malt, coffee and chocolate

Taste: The flavor starts out with a very light roasted malt. I expected more based on the nose but it's still good. Back end finishes off with a bit of coffee and dark chocolate

Mouthfeel: A bit thin and medium carbonation

Overall: I really like this beer I might be a bit tough in the grading of this one but it is an enjoyable beer

Serving type: growler

11-15-2011 03:57:30 | More by DarthKostrizer

chrisafari

California

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Stone World Brewing Bistro and Gardens. Pours dark brown, almost opaque, with a nice thin tan head. Aroma is roasted nuts/malt. Flavor begins sweet and then becomes roasty and carmelly sweet. Flavors of crisp malt and cocoa dominate the palate. By far the best Brown ale out there.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2008 22:27:28 | More by chrisafari

jethrodium

California

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft. Pours a reddish brown with a small light tan head that has good retention and leaves a decent amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma is a good almond nuttiness, some caramel, light brown sugar, some light peanut, and some light coffee. The initial taste is sweet with caramel, some brown sugar, then a strong almond nuttiness. The finish has a light coffee bitterness. Medium body. Medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2011 01:22:36 | More by jethrodium

Mauerhan

California

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

had this bad boy on tap at the yard house in brea. arrived with a minimal head. nice dark brown with auburn highlights. the beer was poured way to cold (which the yard house is infamous for doing) so initial smell and taste are dulled. upon letting the beer warm I am greeted by a nice array of nutty smells and malts. the taste is smooth and complex. I get hints of roasted hazelnuts a bit of brown sugar and sweet malts. mothfeel is nice. decent amount of carbonation. very easy drink. I am not surprised tht alesmith of all people would put out a beer like this.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2008 21:46:30 | More by Mauerhan

Cavery

California

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at stone, a pint glass in the afternoon.

A: Red brown with some clean stained glass clarity. Dark mohagony core with creamy off white beads of bubbles. Theme of dark reds dominates the character. 

S: Coffee infused toffee candies with a lingering sweetness. Nutty hazelnuts mix with brazil nots and fresh walnuts. Little bit of watery decaf coffees suggests a lightness that I wasn't expecting. Red berry notes are present but vague.

T: Nutty light coffees that feature a light soy cream. Light salt and caramel flavors. A nice transition towards roast nutty almonds. Some cranberry sauce. Saltiness mixes with nuts for a suggestion of pistachio. Simple but good flavors.

M: Medium body light sizzle in the front. Very light easy drinking for a brown. The salty sensations blend with the carb for an illusion of fullness. Otherwise pale ale lightness. Lightness favors drinkability.

O: Highly drinkable brown. Sessionability super high. Red berry flavors do the nuts justice. Sweet cranberry flavors up the ease of drinking. Not a typical brown, but good.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2011 02:16:40 | More by Cavery