Pullman Brown Ale - Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery

GPHarris

Alabama

4.39/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage, recipe #128 written on bottle

a - poured a two-fingers thick rocky tan head into a snifter that left great lacing throughout. the body was dark brown bordering on black.
s - syrup and cocoa.
t - molasses and other malts with some chocolate flavors.
m - thick and chewy, very creamy.
o - now this is one of the best brown ales i've ever had. it may be the best. so flavorful and rich and the mouthfeel is as good as it gets.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 16:15:31 | More by GPHarris

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.23/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Everyone has their take on what it means to be American brown ale. But Flossmoor pulls it off with a strikingly keen attention to balance and flavor. Careful not to flirt with porter territory and definitely rooted in the darker arenas- the beer proves to be an error-free example with much to celebrate. Let's get started...

Pouring with a dark "bark" brown hue the beer is nearly opaque, yet it seems clear because of its onyx-like sheen. The beer builds an ivory foam stance that tops the beer with dense whipped topping. Firm retention and defined lacy rings celebrates the beer's high character. ...and we haven't even taken our first sip!

Appetizing aromas of chocolate and citrus meet the nose with balance and grace. Complementary malt notes of toast, deep toffee, earthy buckwheat, coffee and chicory kicks things off at first whiff. But then the hop character builds with oranges, grapefruit peels, sassafras, and fresh-cut grass. This straight-forward dialogue is conducted with clean yeast character, void of yeast-derived fruit or spice.

Beautifully balanced, it seems that just as the malty sweet taste of brown sugar, molasses, and maple greet the front of the tongue, and quick accompaniment of hops arrive. Their contributions of juicy grapefruit and orange juice balances the malt taste and take on its sweetness in finish with elements of woody, grassy, and medium resin bitterness. In between, the taste of walnut, buttered toast, and damp sod becomes the bridge between malt and hops.

Medium bodied, the beer seems remarkably light even when the taste wants to celebrate its robust taste. The pep of carbonation dissolves into the malt sweetness and dextrin-rich body very well for its creamy-dry texture from beginning until finish. Warm on the back end, the beer also finishes toasty and lightly resinous because of hop dry-stickiness.

Though not as hop-forward as Dogfish Head's India Brown Ale (IBA) but not as English-y as Avery Ellie's Brown Ale, the beer is crying out for a pairing of savory meat loaf with red-eye gravy. Do yourself a favor....

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 06:31:55 | More by BEERchitect

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4.23/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle sent to me by a friend. Looks like a good choice. Lets find out.

A- Pours a very, very dark brown color barely letting any light through when held up to a light with 3 fingers of thick tan colored head that lingers a while.

S- Smells like nutty, light roasted coffee, with hints of cocoa, and toffee. Smells like it's going to have a deep, rich flavor.

T- Follows nose well. Nice amount of sweet dark caramel / toffee mixed with a small amount of bitterness that comes across like light roasted coffee. It ends with a lingering dark molasses flavor that coats the palate.

M- An easy drinking medium body with a moderate amount of carbonation. Has a nice smooth silky feel to it.

O- Pretty impressed. Bet it would be better on draft. Love the rich, dark, molasses flavors that really come out as this one warmed up.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 00:15:01 | More by rfbenavi80

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the brewery. Was so good I had to bring one home! 22oz. bomber into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Much darker than most browns. Dark, nearly opaque brown. .5 finger light coffee colored coarse head with moderate retention. Stringy lace with moderate stick. Decent. Nice color.

Nose is nutty. Toffee, caramel, and sweet brown sugar. Real robust and rich. Enticing.

Opens sweet caramel, nutty, toffee, and brown sugar. Malt body becomes more pronounced and richer as this one warms in the mouth. More caramel and toffee notes appear. Sweet brown sugar and some molasses at the end. Finishes slightly grainy. Sweet aftertaste. Again, like the nose, real rich. Great, full flavor.

Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly bubbly in the mouth but smooths out as it warms. Goes down silky with a messy finish and a lingering aftertaste. Drinks bigger than it is and oh so smooth. Amazing!

This is top notch in the style. Real robust nose and taste with an incredible mouthfeel that makes this one drink bigger than it really is. I can see why this beer is the winningest offering from Flossmoor.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 00:39:07 | More by SpeedwayJim

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle. No visible bottling date. Poured this into a Deschutes tulip. The bottle does read "Recipe 128".

A: Pours a deep, dark brown. It's pretty cloudy. Some reddish hues around edges. Not a ton of carbonation. Light tan head, barely nothing. Little ring around edges.

S: I get lots of molasses in this. Sweet cocoa. Mild touch of coffee.

T: I get a touch of bitterness on the tip of the tongue from the chocolate notes. Nothing crazy, very mild bite. Then it really smooths in the mid mouth. Touch of sweetness from the molasses for sure. The close is rather pleasant but does kind of just drop off. Maybe some dark chocolate bitterness.

M: Medium bodied. But on the lighter side.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 15:02:47 | More by inlimbo77

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours dark brown with a light brown foam that dissapates shortly.

S - Molasses, nuts, malts, some coffee, a very inviting aroma.

T - Coffee, malts, some carbonation, not too big of a bang but very good.

M - Nice and smooth with some tingle of carbonation, a really good combination of ingredients.

O - A very nice beer with great smoothness and not harsh to taste, after taste, and is not heavy at all.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 17:11:27 | More by beerenjoyer1

robwestcott

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to lusciousjackson for this one

poured cold from the bottle a deep mahogany brown with a thin, short lasting tan head leaving a wee bit of spotty lace after each sip.

aroma of brown sugar, molasses and a bit of licorice(?)

molasses, smoke, candied almonds, dark cherries

big bodied, medium carbonation, smooth and sweet – almost cloying.

overall – a great brown, seriously complex.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 03:41:58 | More by robwestcott

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle courtesy of 2BDChicago and the never-ending SS BIF box. Served in my SA Perfect Pint. Recipe No. 128 indicated on the label. Pours 90% head to start - off-white/tan, dense and frothy. As the head recedes, a chestnut hued body is revealed with ruby red highlights evident when backlit. Thick, textured swaths of lacing are exposed as the head slowly recedes. Nose is malty with a slight nuttiness and a suggestion of artificial sweetener and lactose. Taste is fantastic - malty, molasses and a pleasant roasted character - extremely flavorful without being overly thick or cloying; however, there is a residual lactose/artificial sweetener character that lingers at the finish. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a mild, even carbonation and silky/creamy texture. Overall, I have to say that this is one of the best American Brown Ales I've had the opportunity to try, falling somewhere between a brown and a Porter in my opinion. A top notch beer that demonstrates that a high abv is not necessary to impart flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 01:09:15 | More by Jwale73

Jammies

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Aged for 8 months

A- pours black with a wisp of foam that lingers in the center of the glass

S- sweet with a faint nutty odor

T- slightly malty finish with a sweet nutty taste

M- light and thin. Almost a bit too watery

O- I thought the smell and flavor would redeem the beer, but the mouthful is weak. A bit disappointed with this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 17:16:45 | More by Jammies

Dope

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A dark brown pour with a nice dense light brown head. Retention is pretty decent and the lacing is as well.

S: Toffee, molasses, hazelnut. Some nice caramel mixed in. Little bit of earthiness and a hint of brown sugar?

T: Very earthy toffee and hazelnut. Quite nutty in fact. There is some sweet caramel and brown sugar in the finish which helps balance it out. You can taste a bit of molasses throughout with gives it a nice smoothing taste and feel.

M: Medium bodied, nice and smooth. Slick and slightly sweet molasses seem to coat the mouth.

O: Nice brown ale. Well balanced flavors compliment each other. Minimal bitterness. Quite drinkable - wouldn't mind a couple glasses of this.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 04:35:49 | More by Dope

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought this from the Binny's across from Goose Island Clybourn.

A: It poured a caramel brown color, definitely non-transparent, and with a nice 1/100th finger head or so... That last part was a joke.

S: Lots of hazelnuts, caramel, and brown sugar that was very reminiscent of a "Bit O Honey" candy bar.

T: Candy sugar, but not too intense: grainy brown sugar, malts, and most definitely...caramel. Maybe a tinge of bitterness, but overall, that wasn't what this brew was about.

M: mucho lacing, mucho palate coating with tons of caramel and hazelnuts. The carbonation was low-moderate, but that wasn't what this brew was about anyway.

O: This is only the second brew I've had by Flossmoor Station and it won't be the last. Great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 06:03:12 | More by Chaney

isaiahcutright

Oklahoma

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a Dark brown with a vibrant dark tan head. Smells of malt, sweetness (molasses) and roasted malt. Taste is great a smooth sweetness with a nice hop balance one of the best brown ales I've tried. Thanks Bashiba for the recemadation. I will have to pick up more of these and others fro Flossmor.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 03:51:24 | More by isaiahcutright

CooperEllis

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle from brentk56 in the SS'11 BIF.

Very nice pour into a DFH snifter, medium bodied with a nice deep brown, thin caramel lacing.

The molasses is evident in the nose; the sweetness rounding the malts nicely. The taste is a bit biting, the tartness of molasses and the carbonation tickle your tongue. Bice body, card may be a bit much but can't tell if it's a mistake or the intended bottling.

Been waiting on this for a long time and I'm certainly keeping it on the Want list. Excellent, easy drinking, subtle yet complex brown.

(144th)

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 21:36:56 | More by CooperEllis

argock

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz brown bomber into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Purchased at Binney Liquor Depot (Chicago, IL) for $7.49.

A: Very dark brown with short cap of beige head with decent retention and lacing.

S: Wonderful full aroma of chocolate and caramel with dashes of coffee. Maltiness rules in this brew.

T: The flavors meld superbly with big waves of chocolate accented by roasted malt bitterness, caramel sweetness, and black coffee as it warms. The roast component is gentle overall but more assertive as the beer warms also.

M: Very smooth and silky feel with low carbonation and a cocoa aftertaste.

O: A really nice, higher gravity brown ale with big chocolate presence and an overall sweet flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 01:52:40 | More by argock

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle for $6.49. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours dark brown with a huge tan head. Pretty much as soon as I poured the beer into the glass, it started bubbling up like crazy, and it took a while for the head to settle down enough for me to pour a somewhat full glass. Aroma is nice and malty, it smells like molasses, chocolate, brown sugar and some coffee. The taste is similar to the aroma, but there's the addition of a nutty flavor. Also, I think the roasty coffee flavor comes out stronger in the finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick but has way too much carbonation. I'm not sure if this is a bad bottle or not, but at least the taste wasn't affected. Other than the high carbonation, I think it's a good brew. I'd try this again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 21:25:05 | More by bluejacket74

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a beautiful brown, almost black. Two fingers of head that slowly fades and leaves some serious lacing on my snifter.

S: Smells of sweet malt, roasted oats, and toffee.

T: Starts off with tons of toffee. There is a beautiful sweetness in the beginning. That changes to bitters as it drinks, but the balance is perfect. This is a seriously malt heavy brown ale (tons of coffee, oak, vanilla, and caramel). The finish is bitter and dray at first, switching to sweet, sticky, and intense. Flavors of roasted nuts and malted barley linger on the palate.

M: A full bodied beer, but no massive palate crushing flavors. There is a stickiness to this beer, but it's solid. The flavors last for a few minutes.

O: This is a seriously hefty brown ale. I like it... but I don't love it. Something is missing, and I can't put my finger on it.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 01:12:00 | More by trxxpaxxs

abrand

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber shared with a friend, poured into a pint glass.

This pours a deep cola brown color with a very fast fading ebony head that doesn't leave much retention. Pretty thick looking brown ale. Smells of sweet malts, hazlenut, as well as some espresso and chocolate. Taste is very smooth. Nice creamy texture with more chocolate on the palate. Nice sweet malt finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and not much carbonation. Overall I really enjoyed this brown ale. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 21:06:58 | More by abrand

Hachiman

Japan

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours ebony with a tan head that quickly subsides to a film. No appreciable lacing.

Smells of dark, bready malt.

Tastes of espresso, smoke, roasted grain. Yum.

Mouthfeel is enlivened by carbonation, but overall slippery/oily with a drying alcohol finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 02:08:52 | More by Hachiman

Bung

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. Solid brown pour with a finger of frothy light tan head.

Aroma, Malty caramel and chocolate. Some peat and molasses.

Taste, says its brewed with molasses and there is no doubt. Again caramel and chocolates, cocoa. Finishes a little roasty, leather, peat and fairly dry.

Only lighter mid bodied, but very creamy. Could drink a bunch. A dark brew drinkers brown ale.

Best American brown I've had.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 02:14:29 | More by Bung

snaotheus

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle split into a pair of pint glasses

Pours dark, not quite tarry, small head. Smell is sweet, lots of caramel or dulce de leche.

Taste follows in the same directions. Lots of sweetness. Reminds me a little of Southern Tier's Creme Brulee. A little coffee and chocolate bitterness at the end. It's really nice.

Mouthfeel is a little dry and chalky, nicely light. Overall, this is quite good.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 03:34:20 | More by snaotheus

danwho

California

4.22/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber (thanks whitemomba for the trade) into my New Belgium oversized wine glass.
Look: dark dark brown, no light gets through, 1" tan head, leaves a little lacing throughout the session.
Mouth: full and creamy, lighty carbonated and sweet, smooth, nice.
Smell: spices hit me first, like a Belgian. Also sweet molasses and malty biscuit.
Taste: a nice robust sweetness, but not too sweet, from the molasses taste. Then a slightly carbonated hop bitterness with a nice cocoa finish. The 6% abv is not noticeable.
Wow what a difference between the nose and the taste, while it smelled good, it tasted better.
This is a very Porter-like brown ale and one I would love to have again.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 02:23:45 | More by danwho

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Just as the bottle describes it, it's a dep chestnut brown. Theres a 1/4" of tan head. No lacing.

Cocoa and roasted coffee are the primary displays in the nose.

The taste is a little more deep. Molasses, coffee, and brown sugar. I even picked up a slight tinge of black licorice in the end.

The mouthfeel is superb. It's thick and creamy, but not stout thick. For a brown ale, though, it's very creamy and smooth.

I really enjoyed this beer. It's so readily available for me that I've always taken it for granted and passed on it. It so happened it was on sale and I had gift cards to burn so it made perfect sense. I'll definitely be buying this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 02:15:41 | More by Vonerichs

beagle75

Iowa

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a nonic glass.

A: Opaque, dark brown color with over one finger of light beige foam head. Scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Roasty, with prominent milk chocolate and brown sugar. Dried peanut shells are also present, partly concealed underneath the other layers.

T: Begins sweet, with heaps of roasted brown malt that is not only intensely nutty, but also satisfyingly unctuous. The presence of acidity is downplayed appropriately, allowing early flavors to carry into the middle where they are joined by huskier grain, a hit of molasses, and green herbaceous plant. Minerality surges prior to the finish, making a very easy transition to the earthy and mildly bitter ending.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, smooth and slightly creamy on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: While brown ales are not especially popular as a style, this gem could make a believer out of anyone not deathly allergic to sweeter beers. The flavors are dynamic yet traditional, starting like dessert but finishing in respectable English style. It is Comfort Beer, able to scratch the dark beer itch with ease, not at all limited by its style.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 13:03:35 | More by beagle75

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours dark coffee brown. Dense medium-tan head, lasts, and has great lacing. A layer of foam on the surface, with a thicker ring around the edges.

Smells nutty and woody, with some smooth coffee notes. Everything about it smells "brown", dominated by hazelnut. Nice.

Taste is sweeter than the smell, more straightforward and sugary. I get mostly molasses. Finish is rich and slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, kinda low on the carbonation. Slow fade-away finish.

Another beer where the smell promises things the taste doesn't deliver. Pretty good, but the flavor is rather simple and one-dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 04:28:25 | More by zeledonia

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: deep brown with heavy head that disspiates to form a nice lacing and a very thin layer of head on top.

S: spices, malt, and molasses dominate this smell.

T: same as the smell, but the spices come out much more than the smell indicates.

M: malty and crisp at the same time - the heavy carbonation, even when cold, brings out the tastes nicely but allows the smooth brown ale feel as well. Heavy feeling in the mouth for a lower gravity brew.

O: drinkable, but kind of heavy for a 6%. Nothing wrong with that, since that's how a decent brown should feel. I'd do it again - didn't even know this existed before it was shared with me.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 00:45:57 | More by Holland