Geary's Autumn Ale - D.L. Geary Brewing Company

BeerLover48Fan

New Jersey

4.95/5  rDev +32.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Got a six pack of this brew and was pleasantly surprised. The brew poured to a dark brown color with amber highlights. It had a good sized tan head that had good retention and left a fair amount of lacing. Malt comes across with an excellent roasted scent mixed with a slight sweetness that highlights caramel, toffee and maybe a bit of cocoa. The taste is amazingly smooth; the flavors highlight the malt that was identified earlier. The caramel and what I think is chocolate really go well together. Some hop at the end but for me the malt flavors really set this beer off. I do not do justice to it with my description but I really like the flavors. The brew is extremely easy drinking and I wish that this would be available year around, I know I would get it if it were.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2007 02:52:05 | More by BeerLover48Fan

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: This seasonal beer pours a dark Amber color with a solid 1/2 in off-white head that leaves some lacing.

S: Aroma consists of roasted malts, grain and oats up front. Does conclude with a caramel and brown sugar finish.

T: Off the first sip, I get a caramel/toffee flavor with roasted malts and brown sugar. Grains and oats follow through the middle of the taste with a bready type texture through the aftertaste.

M: Very consisytant with a Brown ale in terms of mouth feel. But does lack that nutty flavor which is more dominated by grains. Smooth texture, somewhat creamy with no carbination to speak of.

O: Very good beer for the fall season, has all those dark, robust flavors that get you in the mood for Autumn. I have had Geary's Hampshire special before. This beer doesnt live up to the abv of that, which is what I was hoping, but does stay true to that harvest style.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 01:31:55 | More by SouljaSaia17

sraimondi

Connecticut

4.63/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Spent 3 glorious nights in Portland on biz this past week (one of the best beer towns in the World and the eye-candy is 1st rate too). Had this one on draught at Bull Feeney's, J's Oyster (really good seafood & what a view from the outdoor tables!) and $3 Dewey's in the Old Port. WOW!! Better than I imagined, as I have loved this one from the bottle for a long time, and this year's draught version appears to be the best I have had. Carbonation is much softer with the flavor being much better than the bottle. In addition, the 3 places I went to, served it at a nice temperature. Nirvana for sure. Can't wait to go back to Portland next September.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2006 20:14:01 | More by sraimondi

pabstsmear

New Hampshire

4.55/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I recently went on an autumn beer quest and this
brew is right at the top of my list. It pours a dark brown with a head that lingered through out the drink. The aroma of toasted malt and spices do not cover up the hoppiness on the finish. A perfect blend that should be available all year, but for now I'll settle for a few by the fire pit on cool fall night.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2008 14:33:35 | More by pabstsmear

argock

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz brown bottle into a clear pint glass. No freshness date. Single purchased at Ancona's (Ridgefield, CT) for $1.85.

A: Beautiful garnet hue with 1-finger beige head that dissipates quickly leaving no lace.

S: Delicious aromas of chocolate and dark malts with soft herbal, earthy hops

T: Malt is king with a Scotch ale flair. A full-flavored malt-beast with chocolate and coffee notes coupled with an earthy dark and caramel malt backbone. A bit of spicy, earthy hops top it off. Ringwood yeastiness makes a token appearance.

M: Active carbonation is a surprising and nice touch to a very good brew. Aftertaste is spicy and malty.

D: Geary's has been a bit hit or miss in the past but this one is a big hit. Rounded maltiness with spicy hops and active carbonation compose a strong brew that can be enjoyed anytime.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2009 03:49:33 | More by argock

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This Autumn Ale is in a class of its own. Sort of a cross breed of Hampshire Special - sans the piney effect, and Pale Ale.
It pours a wonderful teak color with a thin tan head. A nice blend of roasted malt and hops make up the initial burst of aroma. The aroma fades rather quickly. The full-bodied toasty malt is lightly sweet, with hints of caramel and dark coffee, and in the Geary's fashion, a little on the raw-edged side. Bitter citrusy hops mingle with a mild metallic tang and a slightly peppery spiciness. The flavors tend to balance towards the end and this brew just glides down the throat in a rich, almost buttery, velvety textured liquid. Oh my!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2003 02:08:12 | More by BeerResearcher

altctrlsdelete

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a chestnut brown with a fizzy-looking white head, about a finger-and-a-half tall. Head persists for a fair amount of time and then relaxes to the sides of the glass.

A faint nutty aroma complements the basic roasted-sweetness of the malt, and washes out all but a faint hop aroma.

Taste is simple, fairly sweet and nutty, with a bit of bitterness from the rightfully muted hops in the finish. The sweetness is not overdone here, and I'm not getting tired of it as I finish the beer as I am with most browns.

A highly drinkable and somewhat unchallenging brown, a great example of a style that is, in my opinion, one of the harder ones to get right without getting it "too" right, if you follow my meaning. A must for a brown ale lover, and a worthy session beer for everyone else.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2004 18:54:23 | More by altctrlsdelete

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep reddish-brown color with moderate tannish head. Modest retention and slight lacing.
Smell is significant for roasted malt, caramel and toffee.
Taste is strong for roasted malt anf caramel. Some dark fruit notes are also present.
A light nhop bitterness prrsents itself at the finish, and balances the malt nicely.
A very-easy to drink beer. It was finished before the review.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2007 23:09:46 | More by tgbljb

Stimack

New York

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got a six pack of this brew and was pleasantly surprised. The brew poured to a dark brown color with amber highlights. It had a good sized tan head that had good retention and left a fair amount of lacing. Malt comes across with an excellent roasted scent mixed with a slight sweetness that highlights caramel, toffee and maybe a bit of cocoa. The taste is amazingly smooth; the flavors highlight the malt that was identified earlier. The caramel and what I think is chocolate really go well together. Some hop at the end but for me the malt flavors really set this beer off. I do not do justice to it with my description but I really like the flavors. The brew is extremely easy drinking and I wish that this would be available year around, I know I would get it.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2007 18:37:46 | More by Stimack

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 5

The Autumn Ale is a deep amber in the glass, yet remarkably clear. Virtualy no head on this ale whatsoever. What little there is quickly dissipates leaving no lace. The smell is light and nutty. I certainly wasn't expecting a red/brown ale to be so hoppy. First taste has quite a bite to it, fading to a nutty flavor with a hint of caramel. Very, very good! The body is medium but disappointingly fades quickly. Very thin on aftertaste save the hops. Very smooth. Easy to drink, especially if you don't mind the hops. A gift from a guest, this ale is a very pleasant surprise and will certainly hit the spot on these cool autumn days in Maine.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2003 04:45:47 | More by ViveLaChouffe

CharlieMopps

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a transparent garnet hue topped by nearly two fingers of small-bubbled head.

S: The malt sweetness comes across with an assertive and tempting aroma, while there is also a considerable caramel tinge to this. Hops are somewhat minimal in the nose.

T: That sweet malt base with caramel flows smoothly over the palate, and just as it passes the middle of the tongue, a bittering hop presence slips in quite unnoticed. This exemplifies an easy transition, and it works well. Finish is a bit of waning caramel and the bitterness from the hops clinging shortly and fading. A slight toasted malt character comes through as the beer warms.

M: Creamy mouthfeel, the texture is smooth and complements the rolling and fluid segues of flavor.

D: This is an ale that retains a unique flavor profile and composition amongst the typical fall seasonals. Not only that, but it's quite sessionable as these transitions are key, and it's beautifully balanced. Smooth texture which fits the character of the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2007 20:20:17 | More by CharlieMopps

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice deep russet tone to this beer. A small light brown head recedes to a thin film quickly. Lace is quite sporadic. Thick and full nose on this bad boy. Very nice aroma for a brown ale. It's chock full of chocolate, darkened malts, cracked barley and hearty roasted malt tones. The body on this beer is about medium-full. Pushing full. Big and bold, yet a smooth mouthfeel. The flavors are nice and hearty. Deep malt tones of chocolate and roast. Dry cocoa powder and java tones accentuate slightly. Some hop notes are detected in the lingering bitter aftertaste. Quite enjoyable and quaffable.

JohnnyP. You are the man. Nice selection. Many thanks my friend.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2003 03:01:27 | More by Bighuge

Manosbeeroffate

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Geary's I feel is one of the best breweries in Maine, this beer is a nice example. Pours a nice brown color, head fades quickly. Smells like sweet caramel, somewhat smoky caramel. Tastes a great balance of sweet malt, and grassy hops. Good mouthfeel. Overall it's worth picking up, should be sold year round instead of seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2006 00:14:24 | More by Manosbeeroffate

billybob

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours a medium brown color with a one finger light tan head that fades quickly to just a ring on the glass with some lacing. light aromas of fruit and spice and caramel. taste, fresh coffee, caramel, with hints of fruit. mouthfeel light with a slight after taste. a nicely balanced brown ale. would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2007 18:51:10 | More by billybob

genaro

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After pouring, I'm looking at a beer with a brown/copper color topped by a lingering, light tan head with good lace. The aroma is floral and a bit caramelly. I like the taste of Geary's beers and I was not disappointed by this one. A little oily with a great blend of hops (fresh tasting) and caramel malt with some hints of coffee. The hops and carbonation give it a good bite. The finish is a touch sweet and a little dry.
A great seasonal beer to look forward to

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2004 00:48:08 | More by genaro

thespaceman

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz stubby bottle into a pint glass:

Appearance: Pours a clear mahogany in color, nice size head emerges and stays with this one, leaving behind some nice amounts of lacing around the glass. Good retention with lots of bubbles streaming up the glass.

Smell: Up front I get some nice malt spice that really warms up the nostrils, a touch of molasses and some light chocolate aromas. A nice baked cookie aroma comes out here as well, weird. I also get a tiny bit of some dark fruit which is well hidden behind the dose of malt spice here.

Taste: Again, from the aroma the malt is really well rounded, giving off a nice spicy flavor yet smokey as well. I get some nice toasted malt here, very "right in your face" for a brown ale, a bit of vanilla and some nutmeg. The flavors mesh well, as a bit of dark fruit and some light chocolate flavors kick in. Finish consists of some more kick from the spices here and more of that nice smoke flavor which is seemingly pleasant.

Mouthfeel: This one is medium bodied, sits on the tongue nicely without getting wet. Carbonation is spot on, and the thickness rolls around the mouth pefectly.

Drinkability: One of my new go-to Autumn beers that I've had, this one has all of the characteristics to make a beer perfect for it's season. The toasted malt profile is nicely balanced against the spice in here and that slight smokey flavor really puts this beer over the top. At 5.8%, it's an easier drinker and a good one to have around on a cold autumn night!

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 23:37:24 | More by thespaceman

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I must be getting old. I don't remember previous versions of this beer tasting so good. It was a medium brown color with a decent white head. A caramel aroma with some spiciness. Taste wasn't too sweet, and I thought I tasted some pumpkin and clove. It had a nice little bite. Good mouthfeel, fairly assertive. I'd like to see this year round.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2006 21:16:25 | More by lordofthewiens

taez555

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a dark reddish amber body with a small white head.

Smell is of dark bread, some caramel, mild hints of dark chocolate or coffee.

Medium bodied and smooth. Dark brown bread, molasses, dark chocolate, lots of dark caramel, dark roasted malts with a mild sweetness. Hop bitterness is nicely balanced in the background with only a mild hint of a anise and earth hop flavor.

Simple yet full of flavor. A really nice brown autumn ale. Another fantastic session beer from geary's

Re-reviewed from notes, tasted 12/05/07

This beer poured a clear brown body with touches of ruby-brown and a small white head.

Nose was a mix of caramel, sweet breads, white sugar, strawberries, ripe fruits and candy. A very sweet octoberfest type smell and with earth and touches of granite. Very nice.

Taste was medium bodied, dark brown bread and a caramel mix. Dark toasted malt yet very clean. A big overall bitterness. Very earthy and has a strong stone/granite taste and bitterness. Very doughy.

An excellent, maybe even one of the best examples of an American "autumn", or american ale style octoberfest. It almost borders on a brown ale. A great beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2006 02:12:40 | More by taez555

TheycallmeTim

New York

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a shaker pint.

A--Deep, deep ruby red combined with chestnut shells. Purty. Head is cream colored, one finger--dies quickly and doesn't lace.

S--Scotch ale? Definitely a round, syrupy sweetness, nearly cloying. In back there are some toffee and caramel notes. Smells deep and sweet, with hints of thick brandied cherry preserves. Rich nose.

T--The nose comes through up front to give one layer of the flavor profile. But the beer proves to have at least two more. Behind this initial rich porridge and maple syrup first wave is a distinct brown ale profile: nutty, a little chocolate bitterness. Really really nice backbone shows this is a solid brown. Last wave is of hop bitterness combined with subtle earth and a bit of pepper spice, which comes in clean and smooth at the finish. Expertly structured.

M--Could be a better, as it's a tad watery. D--Hell yeah. Such a fireplace beer. Alcohol is well-hidden, and the take on the style tweaks it to be season-specific. Innovative while still tasting traditional.

A fine, fine fall beer. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 01:25:57 | More by TheycallmeTim

mschofield

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear copper brown, topped with a one finger kahki head, no lacing and the head faded quickly.
Malty, chocolate, and toffee aroma.
Chocolate taste with citrus zest, herbs, and caramel once it warms up.
Medium to full bodied, a nice autumn beer, not too sweet and the chocolate is different, not the same as all the octoberfests on the market.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2005 01:16:03 | More by mschofield

cretemixer

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear chestnut in color with a thin, tan head. It fades to a thin collar in no time.
Malt driven aroma with a hint of brown sugar on buttered toast. Very smooth, not overly sweet. Stays mildly sweet to the end.
Medium body with refreshing carbonation. Very drinkable.
A solid brown perfect for kicking off the fall season.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2003 02:36:44 | More by cretemixer

hyuga

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear brown with an off-white head.

Sweet, nutty, and malty aroma. Very pleasant indeed.

Toasty and nutty on the palate with an all-around buttery character. Subtle hops leave a nice impression. Maybe a little woodiness too?

Medium-bodied with a great carbonation level. Nice and smooth.

A very tasty beer and a great English brown. I could definitely have a few of these in a sitting. My first Geary's beer, purchased at Brawley's in Charlotte, NC. Thanks for bringing these to NC, Mike!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2005 02:46:17 | More by hyuga

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Small tan head settles quickly into a collar; leaves some sudsy spotting down the glass. The brew itself is opaque and brown (duh) but with some auburn hues.

S: Nice – sort of the molassasey-fruity aroma of a Belgian dark mixed with a kick a kick of oatmeal

T: There was a hop presence in the nose that I didn’t mention but it’s more apparent in the taste – it’s a bit citric, and provides a nice crispness. There’s more coffee on the palate than in the nose

M: Smooth, creamy. A little alcohol in there that I didn’t expect. moderately carbonated

O: An excellent brown ale on the Amtrak...

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 00:03:36 | More by NardiByNature

far333

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Copper color with a beige head that disappears quickly. Aroma of toasted malt, some caramel, and cinammon. Flavor is delicate, but full and complex. Smokey, roasty, malty. Not too hoppy. Very full and creamy mouthfeel. Smokey cinammon aftertaste. Also some cocoa and nuttiness. This is really good, I could drink tons of these.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2003 22:15:05 | More by far333

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice seasonal. Poured out a clear amber brown color. The head thinned out to a film after a few sips. Nice nutty aroma with some fruitiness. The flavor has a nutty, chestnut-like character to it with a mild spiciness. Body is medium-light and goes down easy enough. The alcohol is present in the tasting. Finishes with a pleasant spiciness and some fermented fruit flavors in there. A decent and easy drinking ale, for any time of the year.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2003 17:58:37 | More by pezoids