Extra Brune
Brooklyn Brewery

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From:
Brooklyn Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 11.14%
Reviews:
38
Ratings:
39
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 12, 2012
Added:
Feb 09, 2008
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by triplecoil:
Photo of triplecoil
Reviewed by triplecoil from Massachusetts

3.27/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a growler filled at Halftime.

Appearance is an orangish amber with almost no head. Nose is lots of candi sugar and yeast. Taste is more of the same...belgian yeast, without a doubt, and a TON of candi--which means is super sweet. Mouthfeel is pretty highly carbonated, but has a crisp finish. Yeast sticks around for a while.

Not horrible, but definitely not great. This isn' offensive, but the candi is way over the top.
Mar 15, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by gregory12 from Connecticut

Apr 12, 2012
Photo of metter98
Reviewed by metter98 from New York

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: It's very red with a bit of haziness and brown highlights. There's a medium level of carbonation.
S: The aroma is both sour and fruity.
T: I was expecting lots of sourness in the taste after the smell but it's rather sweet with some sourness and spices mixed in with the flavors. The taste is well-balanced.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and a bit dry.
D: This was relatively easy to drink and the alcohol was well masked. I would definitely drink more of this if I could find it!
Apr 16, 2010
Photo of m1ked
Reviewed by m1ked from California

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The afternoon after a huge beer event is more my speed, most beers still available w/o the pandemonium.

A- pours perfectly clear the color of a slightly worn penny. I see 2 lonely & lazy streamers. Just a thin white skimming on top. Maybe the day after is not the best bet.

S- I get some apple cider maybe transitiong to vinegar notes with some earthy woody notes.

T- Apple & cherry vinegar notes dominate with subtle raisin caramel notes burried in there. Lingering sour, almost mustard like notes, but not super sour. Light wood notes, like a muted cedar.

M- for the ABV, I can't believe how light/ thin this is. Sharp crisp prickly carb that plays nice with the sour notes.

D- Ive never seen this offered before and imagine it will be a long time, if ever, before I see this again. Always excited to tegu something new, something local, something in the middle of the work day (off work of course ), something at the open window of a not crowded Blind Tiger on a beautiful spring day. With that being said, I'll probably try something different for my next beer, but very satisfied with this beer.
Apr 15, 2010
Photo of TurdFurgison
Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I had this on tap at Delaney's Tap Room in New Haven. The beer was lear medium-dark brown with just a wisp of bubbles on top. The smell is very sweet, probably candi sugar more than anything else. The taste is dubbel-y, but with a tart after-taste that's more oud bruin-y. Maybe this is a mixture of the 2 styles. The body is medium to a little > medium, and I found it to be easy to drink, not cloying or anything. Kind of a hybrid style.
Dec 12, 2008
Photo of corby112
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on tap at the South Philadelphia Taproom.

Pours a dark chestnut brown with thin off white head. Pleasant aroma of dark fruit, chocolate maltiness and candi sugar. Very smooth quaffable beer with lots of dark fruit (prune, raisin, plum, etc.) balancing out the chocolate malts, caramel and candi sugar. Very good!
Nov 27, 2008
Photo of BeerFan
Reviewed by BeerFan from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From notes. Entiely new recipe from the last batch that was brewed in '04. Was tapped in my basement back in early spring. Poured a slightly coudy, light brown into my Brooklyn Brewey snifter. Nice head retention and lacing. Classic dark fruit flavors of plums and raisins mixed nicely with spiciness of the yeast. I'm picking up some banana and clove flavors as well. Good carbonation for the style. Easy drinking for an 8.5% beer.
Jul 22, 2008
Photo of oberon
Reviewed by oberon from North Carolina

3.14/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Tyler's Taproom in Carrboro,poured into a standard pint glass a kind of murky amber/brown with almost no head at all to speak of,it had a flat look to it.Aromas had a slight mustiness to it along with a hefty dose of phenolic yeast character,flavors are a little to much on the musty side for me,it overpowered the dark fruit flavors,there was also a little phenolic clove and spice in the finish.Not my kinda brew here it was just to one dimensional in its musty and phenolic profile,for some its great for me not so much.
Jul 13, 2008
Photo of SIRIUS2
Reviewed by SIRIUS2 from North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this brew on-tap at the newly opened Tyler's Taproom in Apex, NC.

A: This was served to me very quickly after ordering in a Brooklyn snifter. Dark brown, translucent, with a very nice looking creamy light brown uneven head. The head had excellent retention and there was very good lacing through the experience.

S: Smells like a Belgian double with hints of dark fruit & banana with just the slightest bit of hops. You get the impression that this is going to taste sweet.

T&M: Nice full mouthfeel with plenty of moderately sweet malts. The banana that was apparent in the nose comes through in the flavor as well, combining with something that reminds me of brown sugar and dark fruit, like dates. Everything comes together very smoothly with a nice creamy texture from the fine carbonation. Finish is that same banana bread taste up front but actually goes a little dry in the linger.

D: Honestly, the more I drank this, the more it grew on me. It was complex, flavorful and full bodied without being overwhelming or overbearing. Very nice!
Jun 15, 2008
Photo of atsprings
Reviewed by atsprings from North Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On draft at The Raleigh Times, served a nice light copper with a decent head that diminishes to a ring. Aroma is a wonderful blend of malt, sweet fruits and yeast. The taste is a nice blend of fruit and spice. The beer has a slight heaviness, but it's not too overbearing. This is a very interesting beer to say the least.
Apr 29, 2008
Photo of tpd975
Reviewed by tpd975 from Florida

4.44/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Copper in color with a two finger of off white head. The head dies down put ample lacing is left behind.

S: Wow very candylike. Tons of big league chew bubblegum with notes of banana. Bits of belgian yeast round it out. Yum dessert in a glass.

T: Nose matches the aroma. Tons of bubblegum and banana. Hints of yeast, very belgian, very good.

M: Nice carbonation and medium body.

D: Not bad very enjoyable.

Overall: My favorite Brooklyn brew to date. Tons of candy sweetness with a nice Belgian character. I reallly enjoyed the flavor of this beer.
Apr 26, 2008
Photo of garcia2a
Reviewed by garcia2a from Pennsylvania

4.32/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Once again Mr Oliver brews a tasty. This beer pours a deep ruby tones, with slight cloudiness and minimal carbonation. Modesest head that head the glass nicely.

The bouquet was sweet with hints of banana, exotic fruit and a pinch of hops. The taste retained the banana as a main sweet component, but rich and slightly spicey malt joined in, with an interesting balance of clove, brown sugar and chocolate. Nice and complex, a drinkin' man's beer.

The malt added a fullness to the body and gave the beer quite a presence in the ol' pie hole. All and all, a nice drinkin' brune that doesn't fill, just warms. Gonna have another this week!
Apr 24, 2008
Photo of maddogruss
Reviewed by maddogruss from New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours an amber/copper body with a small, white head with low retention and minimal lacing along the sides of the glass.

S: A strong, banana ester smell, not allowing much else to come through.

T: A slightly banana ester taste that reminded me of the banana "Runt" candies. Smoothes out after a few sips, but evident until the finish. The banana esters become a bit too overbearing later and take away from the beer a little bit.

M: A nice, smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel that was very nice on the palette.

D: Nice, smooth and full-bodied mouthfeel made it a good brew overall. The overwhelming banana taste, I felt, took away from the beer later, but I think it is still a good session beer.
Apr 17, 2008
Photo of tempest
Reviewed by tempest from New York

3.28/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at Al's Whiskey and Wine, served in a pint glass.

Can't say I'm wild about this one. I just don't get much out of this beer. It comes off thin and sweet with a grassy/herbal hop finish. It tastes like a very sweet brown ale, with sugar adjunct (maybe Belgian candi syrup) used. There wasn't any sour tang or anything like that. I've used this word a couple times already, but this was just a sweet brown ale with a hint of Belgian spice and hops.
Apr 13, 2008
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Finally got to make my way upstairs to Barleys last night and try the Extra Bruin while it was still on tap. It has been here a few weeks at least, I just never got the chance to pick one up. The pour was rather nice, with a somewhat hazy orange tinted, reddish brown sort of color to it. Hard to describe but it was almost as if it was a candy like color. A nice two finger head of white foam formed on the top, and gradually settled into a crown that lapped up against the sides, but unfortunately did not offer and side glass contribution.

The aroma was very sweet, lots of candied sugar right off the top. Infact it took a little while to dig down through this to find some slight notes of sour yeast, they were there, but very faint. Lots of bready malts being picked up as well, and some light fruit notes. The flavor carried all of this off rather well. There was a big surge of candied sugar right up front, but as this passed some nice notes of banana, apple, and pears could be picked up. Some light sour notes in the finish, but nothing remarkable. Tons of bready malts in here, with a little under balanced amount of sweetness. This was definitely way too sweet for the style. Nice medium body was not overly carbonated, and infact aft a little while became a touch syrup like. Not sure what the alcohol is in this one, however there was defiantly a little in it, as after a couple I started to feel it pretty good.

Overall, this was not bad, as I did manage to have a couple, but it was really not, what I was expecting. I was hoping for it to be a little more sour then it was, but never the less, it was still pretty good. Not sure I would get it again, needs to be a little less sweet overall.
Apr 13, 2008
Photo of sleazo
Reviewed by sleazo from New York

3.69/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A_slightly cloudy medium brown witha huge fluffy off white head. Settles nicely into a gorgeous cap. A bit of a gusher at first sip

S_slightly bready. A bit mild

T_huge banana bread flavours up front. Middle hits with bakers chocolate and a hint of bubblegum. Finish is spicy with both black pepper and clove. Mostly sweet throughout however there is some dryness here as well at the end.

M_nicely light with a gushing effervescence.

D_Not sure if this fits into the category but like a lot in the Brooklyn Brewmasters reserve it is a tasty crossover of styles. This is almost more of a dunkelweizen mixed with a dubbel to me and perhaps too sweet to drink too many of.
Apr 11, 2008
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Reviewed by ScottUCF84 from Florida

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Underground Bluz into a tulip glass.

A- Dark amber with some ruby hues. Tan head with light lacing.

S- Doughy malt initially, a little banana and clove, a tad of bourbon.

T- Immediately I taste sour dough, along with some sweet malt, banana and some spices. I picked up some faint bourbon that matched the smell. As the beer warmed this flavor became more prominent.

M- Medium body, rich and slightly creamy. Left the mouth a little sticky afterwards. Moderate carbonation.

D- Pretty tasty and complex, but it grew old with me towards the end of the brew and I was ready to move on. Still worth trying.
Mar 30, 2008
Photo of paulthebeerguru
Reviewed by paulthebeerguru from Florida

4.32/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a snifter. Extra Brune pours a gorgeous amber color, with a light tan head on top with good retention, which eventually leads to very nice lacing. Aromas of sweet dark candi sugar, some fall fruits, apples, pears, figs, and raisins. Some clove and banana esters as well. The taste is candi sugar of the bat, nice hints if fall fruits (lighter than the aroma) as well as some light flavors of clove and nutmeg. The carbonation level is a little higher than normal, but it fits the style very nicely. Very smooth and slightly creamy for the mouthfeel. This beer is awesome. It reminds me of a much better Maudite (not to bring up a different beer). Very tasty and a good representation of the style.
Mar 28, 2008
Photo of aerozeppl
Reviewed by aerozeppl from New York

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the Lionheart. $2 pint

A: brown/copper in color with a finger of off white head. Good amount of lacing.

S: Very sweet nose. Some sour in the back. Yeasty as well. Very Belgian nose.

T: I got quite a bit of sour off of this beer. The sweet malt was also there.

M: Nice mouthfeel. Slightly creamy but not overwhelmingly so. Carbonation was on the high side but it worked well.

D: Had a choklat before this so it was easy drinking. There was no hint of the ABV and it was just a really enjoyable beer.
Mar 23, 2008
Photo of HardcoreKeith
Reviewed by HardcoreKeith from Florida

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Underground Bluz; a small sample only since the cooler it was in was on the fritz. Sample was maybe 55 degrees or so, which actually seemed like a good temperature for this style -- but I dunno, this was also my first one.

In a little pilsner style taster. Appearance was a nice brown with significant head. My nose is all stuffed up from allergies so I was unfortunately unable to smell much. The taste was excellent, with some sweetness, but also, it tasted kind of like spices. Like a winter warmer perhaps. I enjoyed the small sample of this and want to try it again at some other point.
Mar 22, 2008
Extra Brune from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 39 ratings