Tall Timber Ale - Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.

BrewSomerville

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Aroma: Brown sugar, raisins, cloves. Root Beer! (that's a first for me). Malt dominated.

Looks: Deep, dark brown with copper highlights. Good sized off-white head. Average head retention. No lace.

Taste: Pecan pie, root Beer, molases. Malty sweet flavours dominate the palate. Roasted pecans.

Mouthfeel: On the lighter side of medium bodied. Light carbonation, which is nice.

Overall, I think this was a great Brown Ale. A sweeter, maltier brown ale. I think this Beer should be cask conditioned... and then delivered to my door. I think that the moderate carbonation was meant to emulate a cask conditioned ale mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2007 00:52:13 | More by BrewSomerville

WillAndSarah

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%

04-13-2013 22:58:52 | More by WillAndSarah

4ster

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

09-30-2012 21:03:58 | More by 4ster

bumchilly25

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

05-19-2012 03:10:25 | More by bumchilly25

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a dark chocolate brown with a finger width of bubbly, foamy white head.

Smell - Caramalt, nuttiness, sweet plum.

Taste - Strong nutty flavours along with sweet caramel malts. Very well balanced and earthy.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A little sticky.

Overall - A good representation of a brown ale by Mt. Begbie. I really enjoyed the nutty character and the overall balance of the beer. Worth a try for those who enjoy the brown ale style.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 04:40:10 | More by leaddog

fizzyted

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%

04-03-2012 00:18:27 | More by fizzyted

w00ddy

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +10.2%

02-11-2012 18:17:59 | More by w00ddy

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

650ml bomber poured into pint glass 7/1/12

A clear dark brownish amber with bubbles as small as pinpricks and large as... large bubbles? short lived finger of cream colored foam leaves no lace

S slightly nutty with some coco, a little grape candy and some dark dry cereal

T what I smell but with a strong iced tea flavor, not bad but not good

M thin and not as well carbonated as I would have guessed from all the visible bubbles, leafy aftertaste

O strange iced tea flavor I could live without and this one just didn't do it for me overall

not offensive but pretty average stuff going on here, I had no problems drinking it but I doubt I'd buy it again

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 01:15:50 | More by wordemupg

Ratman197

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber from my friend Ron picked up in British Colombia poured a clear reddish brown with a lasting tan head. Aromas of cocoa, earthiness and light carmel. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of cocoa, carmel and light nuttiness with a smooth lingering cocoa finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 23:36:39 | More by Ratman197

chickenm

British Columbia (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

11-20-2011 02:57:36 | More by chickenm

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber red apperance with thick brown head that slowly settles down leaving little lacing. Smell consists of toffee, caramel and roasted nuts. Has a hint of sweetness and malt as well.

Taste is similar to the smell, consists of malt, roasted nuts, caramel, grain and a hint of syrup/toffee. Good combination of balanced dark tastes. Medium bodied with light carbonation. Aftertaste is bitter with a smokey, caramel taste.

Overall, this is a thick beer that ends up being light and refreshing, not a bad take on brown ales. If you come across it, give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 02:02:19 | More by CrazyMike

nickd717

California

2.98/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bomber shared by westcoastbeerlvr on BA. Thanks, Allen, I guess.

Deep clear dark amber color with a small off-white head leaving a thick ring.

Not much on the aroma, more or less just standard caramel and nuttiness.

Decent caramel and chocolate flavor with toast and some nuts. Rather standard.

Fairly thin mouthfeel with average carbonation.

Pretty average overall, not offensive but not too exciting.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 18:42:48 | More by nickd717

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Fantastic colour, deep amber red. Finger or two of head, but fades quickly to a lacing.

S - Lots of Caramel malt with a bit of roastiness. Maybe it's the power of suggestion from the name, but detecting a woody note.

T - Very malty. Caramel mostly with some dark roasted character. Finishes somewhat sweet.

M - Heavier than some, but still very smooth and drinkable.

D - Drinkable, but finished a bit too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 23:12:43 | More by IllNate

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a nice copper brown with a ruby red hue, finger of off-white bubbly head with admirable retention, small traces of lacing and nice visible carbonation.

S - Scent is mild, but toffee and caramel malts come through as the most prominent scents.

T - Caramel and coffee malts, with a bit of a mocha finish. Some sour rye dough and bready malts come through on the finish.

M - Bubbles up nicely on the tongue, filling the mouth, and goes down buttery smooth.

D - Quite a nice brown ale with a delicious mix of flavours. Would definitely buy this offering again and would recommended to anyone looking for a reasonably priced, tasty and unique brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 21:56:23 | More by andrenaline

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - a very deep reddish brown clear colour, decent amount of light tan head that retained okay

S - nutty and caramel malts up front are very pleasing, with maybe a slight hint of peat earthiness along with some sweetness

T - the nuttiness comes through very clearly, there are definite hints of caramel and/or syrupy sweetness, finishing with a mellow taste of earthy grains

M - a little of that chewy dark ale feel but not heavy, a very light feeling of carbonation that is only there for a split second, leaving you with a mellow bready feel

D - nothing mind blowing, but it is a nice offering with some expected but well balanced flavours. And at sub $4 price tag for a 650ml bomber its is definitely worth enjoying.

Note that the bottle has this at 5.2% ABV, not 5.5%

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 00:21:36 | More by joemcgrath27

Methodd

British Columbia (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

650mL bottle poured into a Weizen glass.

Appearance: Dark mahogany with huge amounts of tan head that lingers until it’s all that’s left. Curtain lacing.

Smell: Nutty. Toasty malts, chocolate, coffee and molasses.

Taste: Uber nutty! You thought the aroma was nutty but the flavor is so dominated by nuts that nothing much else comes though. What does come through is identical to the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Mild carbonation. Medium to heavy bodied. Seems like a very mature brew.

Drinkability: Pretty smooth but too nutty for its name and my personal taste. I find this to be a pretty simple brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 06:10:39 | More by Methodd

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle: Poured a clear deep amber color ale wit a large off-white foamy head with good retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of deep caramel malt and molasses is more interesting then expected. Taste of also a very nice mix between some caramel malt and light sweet molasses but ending is somewhat weird with some light DMS notes. Body is full for the style with good carbonation. Good and more complex then style would suggest and would have gotten a better rating is it was not for the DMS.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 02:17:52 | More by Phyl21ca

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I like the heritage mountain town imagery on the label - workin' man's beer!

This beer pours a clear, light brownish copper hue, with one finger of soapy beige head, which leaves a wee ring of lace around the glass as it quickly falls away. It smells of mild caramel malt, and fruity, floral hops. The taste is lightly toasted caramel malt, some nuttiness, and earthy, floral hops. The carbonation is a bit on the high side, distracting at first, the body average for the style, and a bit watery, and it finishes dry, and a tad fruity.

A decent enough, and inoffensive offering, but nothing memorable to warrant me seeking it out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 23:32:23 | More by biboergosum

bobsy

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

This past Friday night I did a blind tasting of brown ales with my wife, because I figured it was time for me to re-evaluate a style I don't think much of. We each poured samples for the other, noted what was what and then brought out the beers, so while we couldn't taste the same beer at the same time, we were both able to taste without bringing any bias to the table.

The Tall Timber fared okay, but it was my least favourite, because it seemed to lack some of the depth and complexity that the others brought. Its appearance was solid, if actually a tad darker than the other brews, exhibiting a deep mahogany hue, and nice tan head. The aroma is fairly muted, with notes of brown bread and treacle, but most disappointing of all a nasty tinniness that crops up occasionally. The flavours are straightforward sweet malts with some brown break and caramel. Again though, it somewhat spoiled by a flaw, as I keep picking up a sharp edge lurking in the background flavour. The body too, is also inferior to the others. Too light and insubstantial.

It was interesting trying this in comparison to four others because it gave multiple reference points and helped me understand where Mount Begbie stand in the field. Unfortunately I would put them at the bottom. Its not a bad brew, and the drinkability is fine, but there's nothing complex going on, and the presence of the odd flaw distracts from what is otherwise an easy drinker.

Thanks Alex (Voonder) for sending this out. I was glad to include something from out west in this tasting.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 18:39:57 | More by bobsy

Voonder

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours very dark ruby brown with almost no head. Smell - malts, some toasted sugar, rye bread. Taste - chocolate malts, toasty, bready, hint of caramel. Great complex stuff. Rich, smooth, almost chewy. Very nice brew, complex and balanced. Drinkability - moderate

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 05:18:19 | More by Voonder

Shadman

Alberta (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I think I tried this 1 before but never reviewed so..

certainly fits the profile of a decent brown ale...quite dark until you hold it up to some light and then the cherry red color become apparent. Tan head was fairly impressive and it left a faint ring as a reminder of it's once glorious presence.

Muted aroma, certainly no in-your-face here boldness. Still some nice floral sweetness with a hint of caramel malt.

Ah the taste...not bad, but certainly weak. Some of the roast malt that makes this a brown ale are there, but something is missing and I can't put my finger on it.

Mouthfeel is OK...but I found it just a touch too fizzy and a tad bit watery.

Worth a try, but there are better NA browns to be had.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 04:39:33 | More by Shadman

bloberglawp

Quebec (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to lipschitz for this beer sent during canBIF 2007,

Mellow brown color, very light head, dissipates quickly, nice nutty malt aroma, delicious simple malt flavor, hops taste more american than english? Don't matter, its very good.

Not a extreme beer, but definately a fine example of what real beer should look and especialy taste like.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2007 03:43:34 | More by bloberglawp

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not a huge brown ale fan, I find them hard to get excited about. But it's beer, so into this bottle we go...

Pours a frothy tan head, with retention lasting about a minute before dropping off completely. Color is glassy, ruby-tinted deep brown. Nearly opaque.

Aroma is nutty, with light notes of brown sugar and caramel.

The sweet nutty flavor mingles with a caramel creaminess, some raisin and fig floating around in the back. Juicy at first, but has a very drying finish that makes you long for another sip. The carbonation is moderate, with a thinness in the mouth that isn't necessarily weak or airy.

Not an assertive, unusual, bonkers brown ale...but they usually aren't. I was given this bottle, and enjoyed it, though probably wouldn't go out of my way for it. But in the end it's a solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2007 20:07:51 | More by Metalmonk

markaberrant

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I won 2 bottles of this beer as a prize package in a homebrew competition.

UPDATE: After gaining more review experience and sampling the 2nd bottle, I felt the need to update my original review.

650ml bottled served in 20 oz pint glass.

Pours a clear dark brown, light easily passes through which gives off red hues. An agressive pour creates a small head which quickly recedes to a ring. No lacing.

Smell is of sweet malt with a bit of chocolate, no roast detected. Very pleasing.

Taste is similar to smell, sweet carmel malt is up front, which turns to smooth chocolate and then finishes cardboardy-dry.

Low carbonation matches well with the style. Mouthfeel is just about right, anymore and it would be too much for this somewhat sweet beer.

Drinkability is average.

Too sweet with an unpleasing aftertaste. A decent enough brown ale, but really nothing compared to Bushwakkers Sodbuster Brown (by which I judge all others). I don't think I'd want another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2006 00:17:04 | More by markaberrant

vanrassel

Alberta (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Maybe it's harsh of me to say so after sampling only a few of this brewery's offerings, but I'm inclined to nickname it Mt. Bland-bie.

This is a decent enough, drinkable beer, but there's absolutely nothing about it that would make me reach for it again.

It poured a medium brown colour from the bottle with a two-finger, tan head. Even with the aggressive pour, the head diminished to a thin ring within moments and left no lacing on the glass.

The smell was a nice balance of toffee and malt with just a hint of hops. The taste delivered toasted malts and some coffee bitterness and it had a nice, medium-bodied feel on the palate. It left no aftertaste of any description as it went down — nor any lasting impression on me.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2006 04:17:24 | More by vanrassel