Brewhouse Brown Ale - Real Ale Brewing Company

birchstick

Missouri

2.6/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - pours a mahogany deep chestnut

S - smells of buttery caramel malt and toasted nuttiness to it - good smell

T - taste starts off with some sweet caramel malt with a little bit of sugar. This fades to some grass and citrus hop bittering. It leaves with a really weird stake smokey chalk flavor that really took away a lot from the beer. Everything was very pleasant up until the finish.

M - medium body that is a little slick, and leaves very dry

D - Man, this beer was weird to me. It has a really nice appearance and smell. It also opened up nicely but finished terribly. This bottle was "best by" 3-6-11, so I wonder if age had something to do with this. Either way, I don't know if I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 21:20:32 | More by birchstick

jbsg02

Texas

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I got this in the Real Ale sample pack and it was the 3rd of the 3 that I tried, and midway though the glass, it's my favorite of the 3. Poured slowly into a glass and had a small head that went away fairly quick. I was expecting something similar to a Newcastle, but this is much different than I was expecting. The aroma is very malty and chocolaty. This beer reminds me of a stout with the deep chocolate smell and flavor, somewhat like a Guinness actually. My favorite beer from Real Ale so far.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 07:20:33 | More by jbsg02

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark brown, which lighter brown around the edges. Light tan head, a finger, dissipating to leave minimal lacing. Dark to me screams robust, so I am intrigued here.

Aroma is malty sweet, a tad nutty, slightly roasted. Good, but not robust on the nose so much.

Taste is good with some caramel malts, nuttiness, slight sweetness and some roasted notes.

Feel is lower medium, nice carbonation, smooth, but lingering.

Overall damn decent drinkability. Couples good.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 04:53:59 | More by EgadBananas

alleykatking

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle. Got this in my SS package from OakedCanuck.

A- Pours a brown color with light red hues when held to the light. One finger white head shows poor retention. Some light lines of lace here and there.

S- Nice malty smelling beer. Light nutty aroma with a hint of carmael/toffee bready goodness. Very light coffee note in this....don't really smell any hops which I didn't expect but would have been nice.

T- Malts in the front are lightly toasted I thought. Toffee and caramel sweetness with a hint of nutty flavor as well. The second half of this beer still showcases the nutty flavor with more of a earthy hoppy ending. Not bad at all..just a good rep of the style I would say.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the style. Nutty flavors are left on the palate with a caramel sweetness. The aftertaste is nutty, earthy hops, and light alcohol. Light drying on the palate from alcohol. No off flavors and this is dead on for the style with blended layer flavors.

D- Although browns are not my favorite style this one was good enough that I didn't know where the beer actually went. Not bad Real Ale..not bad.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 04:11:00 | More by alleykatking

robwestcott

Indiana

3.18/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

poured cold from the bottle to a dogfish head shaped pint glass a deep dark brown with a wisp of a short lasting off white head with little or no retention.

aroma of light malts and dark fruits.

malty, dark nuts, a little acidic.

light bodied, medium carbonation, sweet, no hops presence.

drinkability - sure, yeah, i guess. but its one and done for me on this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 03:30:10 | More by robwestcott

bastardface

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Brewhouse brown ale is a beer that I got in a sampler pack from Real Ale. The age on this beer is fairly good. The color is obviosuly brown with a hint of reddish hue. It tastes relatively average but good none the less. It tastes like a mild dark beer with a moderate hops flavor which reminders me of a cross between Zeigenbock and Shiner. I recommend this as a once in a while beer. It isn't anything special but still pretty good. Not bad. But had better. I'm curious as to how the rest of the Real Ales taste like.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 00:44:57 | More by bastardface

jrallen34

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into my Narke tulip...A medium brown pour, very light on the edges. A light tan head rises a finger but is gone quickly, light spotty lacing...A boring aroma, typical flavors, light roast, slightly nutty, just light and blah...The taste like the aroma is typical in flavor but its executed nicely, very flavorful. I'm surprised. The finish sucks, weirdly chalky and alcoholic.

An average brown, wouldn't go out of my way to have again.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 01:27:06 | More by jrallen34

billab914

Virginia

3.7/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Freetail pint glass. It poured caramel brown in color with a thin tan lacing barely covering the top of the beer.

The aroma shows a roasted nuttiness to it along with a caramel sweetness. It's also breadyness coming through. The taste is similar wit ha roasted nuttiness coming through as well as a pretty bold caramel malt flavor. Towards the finish it gets a bit more roasty and adds just a bit of a burnt flavor. Pretty nice flavors overall.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being a bit below average. Drinkability is good, I enjoyed this one a lot. I really liked the roasty nuttiness it brought with it and thought that supported the caramel sweetness nicely. A pretty good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 22:41:53 | More by billab914

wray7276

Texas

5/5  rDev +39.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this one in a 12oz bottle
A=three finger head,really dark brown in color,no carbonation
S=i get a coffee smell at first than chocolate
T=mild maltness but for sure hints of chocolate and coffee
M=no bitterness at all, very mellow
D=very smooth,i consider this as one of those types of brew you chill out with watching some good football games!!!!Cheers to all!!

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 04:24:03 | More by wray7276

fragilehearted

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Been lovin' the browns lately, figured why the hell not a local? Bottle into one of my growing collection of Rahr pint glasses.

A - translucent reddish brown. Moderate head that goes down pretty quickly to a ring, no lacing.

S - malty, sweet, nutty, toffee, coffee bitterness. Not bad at all, but I've had more interesting browns.

T - solid brown. I'd say a good example of the style, which is why I rated it what I did, but again, I've had more interesting-tasting browns as well. I feel like this could have been improved upon.

M - smooth. Light-to-medium carbonation. Kind of wish it were heavier, but there's nothing bad about it.

D - great. It's easy, & I'd drink it again. Lots of beer drinkers could like this beer.

Honestly this beer is nice & a fine example of the style, but it's a little boring compared to some of the other browns I've had & loved. However, I'd get it over non-local "boring" browns (like Newcastle), just 'cause I like supporting the locals. It's a solid brown.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 07:10:00 | More by fragilehearted

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.83/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours 1.2 finger of off white head. Fades to a ring. Color is a lighter brown.

Aroma: Nuts, caramel, and light cocoa. Mainly malts.

Taste: Roasted malt and chocolate, nut flavors with some grassy hops. Pretty simple beer.

Mouthfeel: Bitter, sweet, and crisp. Medium bodied with a higher amount of carbonation. Ends dry.

Overall, a fairly average brown. Nothing to special or out of the ordinary. Somewhat drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 00:01:50 | More by mothman

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a brown color with a tan head. The aroma is very good. In addition to the caramel and toffee, I also get some earthy hops and a little bit of coffee. I don't get any coffee in the flavor, but it was replaced by chocolate which is a welcome surprise. The flavor also has some caramel and earthy hops, lightly toasted malt. The beer has a very creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A great brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2010 02:56:22 | More by Mora2000

kbutler1

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle.
Pours a pretty clear brown color with a slightly reddish tinge. The head is small and is tan. Nutty malt aroma in the nose but not really a whole lot more. The taste is sweet up front with a slightly bitter end. Light/medium mouthfeel. Prety dry finish. A fairly ordinary beer that somewhat reminds me of a homebrew.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2010 18:48:42 | More by kbutler1

Xul

California

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Dajtai007 for the extra in a recent trade

A: Pours a translucent brown with some ruby highlights, capped by a half inch of of off-white head with moderate retention.

S: Overall sweet malty profile with some lightly toasted grains, a low to moderate roastiness, and a bit of a coffee note that adds some bittering balance. Not a ton going on, but very clean.

T: A blend of toasted grains and nutty flavors up front, with some light fruits coming in mid-palate - some light lemon and grapes. Roasted character comes in right after the fruit and lingers through the finish.

M: Light bodied with moderate to high carbonation, could dial back the bubbles just a touch.

D: Well-constructed beer with good flavor profile, goes down easy and would be very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 02:42:05 | More by Xul

LacquerHead

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this at B&J's Pizza off Staples in CC TX.
Poured into a standard chilled pint glass.

Poured a dark, yet translucent brown with a foamy head. The head retention was good and settled to form a strong lacing. It was served a little to cold for my taste so I let it warm up a bit. (I'm guessing it was served at a temp in the low-mid 40's)

The aroma was not very strong at first, but after letting it warm up a bit the malty goodness came through.

T: there was a molasses malt flavor up front followed by a pale hoppy finish. I liked the interplay between the hops and the malt. It tasted gritty as it warmed up, and I mean that in a good way. Overall the taste was fairly mellow

Good drinkability. It left a lingering pale aftertaste.

Overall I was satisfied with this beer and I think it's on the better end of average for the style. I'm not sure if I would purchase a 6-er. However, I would happily order it again at a bar.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2010 19:15:00 | More by LacquerHead

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

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

The beer pours a fairly dark brown color with fairly decent head retention and lacing. The nose is pretty mute, but what there I get is pretty aattractive. Seems as if there is some cherry, light coffee and a hint of vanilla. the flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this moderately sweet ale. Not really much more to say. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to light, with a fairly clean finish. Drinkability is OK, with the alcohol not the least bit noticeable.

I don't know... there's nothing wrong with this beer, but it strikes me as "cookie-cutter" brown ale. This isn't one of my favorite beer styles, and it literlly tastes like pretty much every other decent brown ale I've ever had. Nothing wrong with that I guess, and once upon a time I was a fan of Newcastle brown ale, but these days there are just so many other interesting options out there. Mehhhh...

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2010 01:01:43 | More by johnmichaelsen

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks goes to exiled for this brew. Poured into my pint glass the beer is clear red brown with a solid two fingers of light beige head. No lace but a cap remains.

The aroma is mostly lightly toasted malts and a hint of hops. Roast nuts and a touch of coffee.

The flavor has a bit more bitter hop profile than the nose. The typical roast nuts and malts are present as well. A bit drying in the finish.

Medium to light body with light carbonation.

Overall a decent brown ale. Nothing exciting but drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 00:21:00 | More by beerwolf77

rwf08

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a mug.

A: Nice fat two finger head. Large bubbles that break rapidly but some head sticks to the mug. Looks like a mug of rootbeer. Dissipates quickly and some mild lacing left over. Really looks like rootbeer.

S: Grainy, some malt sweetness. A slight roasted note. Not too much more going on here.

T: Some light coffee notes, mild chocolate flavor. Slightly bitter after taste.

M: On the thinner side. Could use some heft really. Leaves a film in my mouth.

D: Drinks easy and is pretty good, just nothing spectacular. I'd live more roast and body but this is pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2010 18:04:26 | More by rwf08

JMad

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a 12oz bottle at spiral diner in fort worth, poured into a pint glass.

The color was dark caramel brown, not much of a head, left a little bit of lacing.

Smells very sweet, like caramel malt, has hints of cocoa.

Taste was malty, a little chocolate, and a little roasty.

The beer was smooth, not too heavy and not overcarbonated.

Very good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2010 22:26:01 | More by JMad

djeucalyptus

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

pours a tepid translucent caramel brown hue with a thin one-finger head that seems to fade before my eyes. A good bit of suspended particulate gives it a bit of life. Lacing is minimal and only a thin ring of froth follows to the bottom.

aroma is pleasantly familiar and warming. toasty, bready, earthy and caramel notes. hints of sweetness - molasses and raisins.

Taste is surprisingly strong relative to the mellow bready aroma. earthy, caramel, whole-grain bread. a surprisingly nice bitterness finishes. hints of hops but just a nice pleasing earthy bitter to balance the caramel.

Mouthfeel is vibrant despite the appearance. ample carbonation carries the flavors nicely. a touch of astringency, and the bitterness gets a touch sharp at times, but all in all, pleasant.

Not outstanding, and neither my favorite brown nor my favorite beer from Real Ale, but not one I'd turn away. I could see really being in the mood for this one - strong flavors, decent moutfeel and a delicious aroma combine for an easily drinkable, nicely sessionable brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2010 05:25:33 | More by djeucalyptus

Spineypanda

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours brown see-through, with a decent head that retains well.
Smells malty as hell, with tons of roasted malt smells and sweetness.
Tastes like lots of coffee malts, and is a bit overwhelming, maybe it is just the time of the year for light beers.
Mouthfeel is less carbonated than I would like, but still a decent brown.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 21:49:04 | More by Spineypanda

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Good looking beer... poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a regular pint glass. It's a dark brown color with an inch or so of creamy off-white head.

There's a good nutty malt smell to it... a little note of toffee as well. Not bad at all.

The taste is very similar to the smell... a burnt malt flavor with some nuttiness in there as well. A little lighter in body than I expected and slightly bitter on the end.

It's good but the flavor on the tongue leaves a little to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 18:52:52 | More by theboozecruise

Longhorn22

Texas

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - It is always a bit difficult to give a fair review of the appearance when I drink out of a bottle. But I did notice nice retention throughout the time I was drinking the beer. The color did seem to be a pretty brown color as well.

S - It isn't a very strong smell, but it is slightly sweet.

T - I would say nuts with a hint of sweet is the best way to describe the taste. It is sort of bitter, with a nice sweet touch at the end.

M/D - About average in this category. It has a slightly low amount of carbonation, but it has a good body to it.

Bottom Line: This is an above average beer. I had this at a catered event, and it is definitely better than the rest of the selection they had there. It isn't a must have type of beer, but it you will enjoy it if you ever get a chance to have one.

~Cheers

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 20:25:35 | More by Longhorn22

glid02

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Flying Saucer in San Antonio, TX.

Pours a slightly hazy dark brown color with a half-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells mainly of toasted malts but equal parts caramel and roasted malts also make an appearance. As the beer warms it sweetens a bit, allowing dark toffee flavors to waft out.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Toasted malt flavors kick things off before skewing more toward roasted flavors than lighter and sweeter caramel malt flavors. Very little hop presence throughout the sip but small amounts of leafy flavors sneak in midway through. The sip sweetens afterward before carrying through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I thought this was a solid brown - nothing spectacular but a nice effort. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2010 23:12:15 | More by glid02

PeprSprYoFace

California

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this from Jeffers5000.

Pours a cloudy brown with a very thin head that dissapated to a small ring. No lacing.

Aroma is that of a caramel brown ale. No other way to really describe it.

Taste is pretty good. One of the better browns I have had but browns are fairly plain so I usually don't drink browns. This one is pretty good though.

Mouthfeel is nice and smooth. Nice carb.

Overall a tasty brown if browns are your thing. Oi have nothing against them I just would rather drink others beers with more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2010 04:23:00 | More by PeprSprYoFace