Nut Brown Ale - Ithaca Beer Company

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very small fizzy head dissipates almost instantly; leaving pretty much no lacing at all. Semi-opaque, reddish-brown color.

Nice nose full of dark malts, vaguely roasty and nutty. A hint of sweetness.

Taste follows the nose and is led by the dark malt, with a very subdued hops presence; extremely low bitterness. Lightly toasty and nutty with traces of caramel and maybe a little coffee in the finish.

Medium carbonation, fairly short and dry finish. Easy to drink, a nice brown, nothing earth-shattering but very pleasant on a cool fall evening in upstate New York.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 13:45:37 | More by tobelerone

deapokid

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on 8/27/2011. Reviewed from notes.

Opens with a huge tuft of cocoa brown foam, which fizzles down to a thin ring of white suds. Body is cola brown with deep reddish notes when held to light.

Whiffs of caramel, roasted coffee beans, chocolate, anise, licorice and other dessert flavors tickle the nostril. It manages to be light and unconfrontational, despite all the big aromas on display.

Flavor is dry, showing off coffee bean and leather up front, followed by a sweet caramel, a little pipe tobacco and a Dr. Pepper-esque conclusion. I'm also catching a mild plum sweetness on the backend.

The mouth is smooth at the opening, followed by a dry and sizzly conclusion. A mild espresso bitterness hits the back of the tongue, making for a nice diversification of flavors.

I was certainly impressed with this underrated entry into the brown ale category. It's complex and drinkable, making for one of the best of type available in my childhood stomping grounds of Central New York.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 04:24:27 | More by deapokid

soju6

Missouri

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

A:Pours a dark brown with a small tan head that fades quickly and not real lacing.

S: Aroma of roasted nuts, abit of caramel and a soft sweetness.

T: Taste of mild nut and a bit caramel. There is a subtle bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Moderate body, smooth and a bit creamy.

O: Nice casual beer for the style. Good for a couple.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:46:54 | More by soju6

Thickfreakness

New York

2.95/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Bought at the brewery last weekend. Deep dark brown/black... thin and whimpy tan head that disappears instantly and leaves no traces of lacing.

S- Roasted coffee, slight hints of cocoa, a mixed bag of roasted nuts. Nothing dramatic or fantastic, but pleasant none-the-less.

T- More black iced coffee than roasted nuts. A touch bitter but not overwhelming. Some roasty Macadamia nut/Walnut/Almond flavors shine thru as it warms up.

M- Kinda thin... a decent bitter-sweet blend. No carbonation to speak of. Lots of coffee flavor stands out and I do love a nice cup of coffee!

O- Certainly not a great brown ale by any means... worth a try for sure, but I've had way better. Nothing impressive here, a decent coffee/nutty taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 03:59:51 | More by Thickfreakness

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours out as a nice looking brown color with a light tan colored head on top. The smell of the beer is slightly sweet and a little nutty. The taste of the beer is a little sweet up front that fades into a subtle toasted dry flavor in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel of the beer is nicely carbonated and has a good drinkability to it. Overall this beer is well balanced and is easy enough to drink several in a sitting if you choose too.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 00:24:35 | More by Knapp85

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Hazy brown with moderate carbonation. Off-white head that diminished pretty quickly. Not much lacing to speak of.

Smell: Very nice roasted aroma. Hints of caramel.

Taste: Moderate bitterness with a slight sweetness that pops up in the finish. Nice roasted malt flavor. Hints of caramel, chocolate, and nuts.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body that was dry but left a creamy feel. The carbonation was lively.

Overall: Disappointing head, but I loved the aroma and flavor, and found it to be very refreshing. Wish I had another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 23:45:19 | More by SolipsismalCat

Arenbeer

Connecticut

3.05/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a tumbler glass

Got straight from the brewery last week

Best by September

A- Pours a dark reddish brown with 2 fingers of fluffy khaki head that sticks around.

S- Roasted malts and toast up front with slight notes of nuts, coffee, smoke.

T- Flavors real thin up front and kind of disappointing. The roasted malts and coffee flavors are most dominate with subtle chocolate and nuts.

M- Light watery thin body with moderate carbonation and a slight bitter finish.

Overall this beer to me tastes like you poured half the glass with beer and brought it to the sink and filled the rest with water. The body is very thin and the flavor is kind of washed out tasting. The smoke and roastiness is there but not enough.

SkÅL!

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 00:36:42 | More by Arenbeer

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

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

A: Distinctly reddish burnt umber/dark chestnut that is quite clear with garnet highlights. Okay-size light tan head that settles fast and leaves just barely decent lace.

S: Roasty malts with chocolate & coffee notes. Faint touch of molasses / burnt sugar sweetness. Soft earthy nutty notes. Odd sort of spicy note. Edge of metallic sour note.

T: Thinner than aroma would hint. Hits the right notes, but lacks depth & substance. Sort of weak open of sweet malt, steely caramel, and almost extract nutty tones. Improves and becomes more rounded as darker roast notes malts appear, linger & grow - mostly chocolate, but also coffee and even burnt hints and a ghostly impression of dark fruits. End and finish have an overall malt chocolate – whoopers - impression. Barely noticeably balancing herbal hops.

M: A bit under medium body with firm but relaxed carbonation. Not much for dextrins. Semi-dry finish mostly from roasty grains.

D: A tad thin and clean. Not really watery, but at times it feels that it is leaning that direction. Needs more malt backbone – maybe with a nice toasty grain & biscuity flavor. Still it does grow on you and is not bad overall. I really do like the roastiness.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 00:06:08 | More by SickGnar

jmpizzo

New York

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

Poured from 12oz bottle into standard pint glass...

A - Reddish brown around the outside, deep brown inside

S - Immediately hit with a mild roast coffee smell, followed by a combo chestnut and caramel. Definitely my favorite part of the beer. Reminds me of a cool fall afternoon.

T - The coffee tones come racing through followed by a bitter sweetness. Smooth and enjoyable.

M - Thin with little to no carbonation or lacing.

O - It's a great nut brown. Definitely one worth trying if this is a style you enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 03:44:52 | More by jmpizzo

curasowa

New York

3.45/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Slightly cloudy and dark red, with 1 finger of head that fades to a thin cap.

Aroma: Deep roasted malt, with notes of chocolate and coffee and a slight smokiness.

Taste: Slightly thin upfront, but building to a huge malt finish. Very nutty with grain husk and roasted, almost burnt malt notes and just a hint of earthy hops. The finish is lingering with an astringent, nutty flavor.

The Rest: A decent nut brown that suffers from being just a touch too thin which is surprising given all of the malt flavor and aroma in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 01:38:44 | More by curasowa

NaLoGra

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a tall frozen beer glass. Great 1 inch head, decent lacing.

A - Very dark brown - blackish look to it.

S - Smells awesomely like malt-chocolate, gives you a great preparation for what is to come when you take the first sip.

T - Wow. Great amounts of malt, caramel and chocolate to it. This yells premium brown ale.

M - Such a great smooth flavor to it, not too much carbonation...very light. Nice medium body to the taste of malts. Very balanced.

O - Fantastic beer. I'm a stout/porter lover, and this is right up my ally. Nut brown from Ithaca is a beer I will absolutely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2011 05:01:27 | More by NaLoGra

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

(Served in an American pint glass)
best before April (it was)
A- This beer has a hazy glowing brown body with a sticky light beige head that last a good bit and a gentle carbonation of tiny bubbles gliding to the surface.

S- The nutty toasted malt aroma has just the slightest hint of coffee roasted malt and a nice dry caramel malt nose in the finish.

T- This beer has a rich nutty dark toasted malt flavor with a touch of roasted malt blended in with some dark biscuit toasted notes also in there. The finish is a dry crisp finish with just a touch of grainy tartness which does not linger.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a fizz that is just a bit to strong and scrubs away the finish.

O- This is a wonderful beer that really captures the nut brown malts and has so much depth that it makes me want to drink more and more. Great session beer and I can't imagine this on cask but I would love to try it. It seems like the bottle was gone before I even realized it.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 13:21:20 | More by rhoadsrage

aepb1

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A big thanks to BA vapodge for letting me in on this one!

A- Deep brown body with a tan, airy head

S- Caramel and spice and a little hint of maltiness

T- Roasty caramel and coffee maltiness, sweet middle and a spicy finish

M- Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation

O- Not had such a big roasty presence in this style and I dig it

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 15:25:37 | More by aepb1

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Ithaca Memorial Day weekend 2011.

Pours a dark brown color with a moderate off-white head and a slight bit of lacing on the way down. Thin collar throughout. The nose brings a bit of lightly-roasted malt plus chocolate and a touch of coffee. The flavor has some brown malt and mild sweetness. Some caramel and a bit of brown sugar. Light chocolate and a bit of a dry roast coming through toward the finish. Actually, a bit too dry for what the flavor had. Medium body with average carbonation. Pretty standard brown; I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2011 13:06:50 | More by Thorpe429

suspect

New York

3.58/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A: Pure brown in color, aggressive pour leads to a one finger head that disappears very quickly. Leaves little to no lacing.

S: Nice toasted malts, caramel, nutty with some chocolate hidden in there as well.

T: Follows the nose almost die-rectly with very nice roasted malts, caramel, chocolate before the nuts here but it's a very nice flavor. Nice bitterness on the back end.

M: medium body, low carbonation but not flat. Creamy coating.

O: A very nice English Brown Ale. Not my favorite style but that doesn't mean this wasn't good. In fact, it was excellent.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 03:00:43 | More by suspect

rlee1390

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Looks black, but when held to the light is actually brown.

S-Coffee and roasted malts

T-Starts with roasted malts and ends with some bitterness.

M-Medium bodied with no carbonation.

O-This beer starts well but seems to fall flat as you continue to drink it.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 00:38:12 | More by rlee1390

BrewerB

California

3.9/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear copper with reddish highlights. Thin off-white head, lacking retention. Moderately toasty caramel malty nose. Berry fruity esters very light, in background. Milk chocolate. Moderate bitterness. Caramel nips and toast continue through into palette. Butterscotch background. Short, dry finish. Medium bodied with a moderate/moderate high carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 05:43:29 | More by BrewerB

THECPJ

Delaware

3.25/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes:

appearance: dark brown with a 1 finger head

smell: roast, malts,

taste: roast, chocolate, malts,

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium body

overall: a basic brown ale. enjoyed it, didn't love it. would of expected alittle more nuttiness.

Cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 17:52:35 | More by THECPJ

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a thick dark brown, almost black with a 1 inch caramel head, quickly fades, with some residual lace. Smell right off is chocolate, spice, and caramel. Taste is almost coffee like, very nice actually, with a good hoppy after taste. This was very smoothe, somewhat thick but not overally so at all. Its seems very drinkable and I was suprised

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 00:17:58 | More by mikesgroove

ngeunit1

California

3.95/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown color that is just slightly clear around the edges and a find of frothy off-white head atop. The head fades down to a ring around the edges lacing nicely in the process.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet roasted caramel malts and lots of nutty aromas. Also a touch of coffee mixed in as well.

T - Starts off with some nice roasted flavors and a bit of coffee flavor mixed in. Through the middle some nutty flavors come out alongside some stronger roasted flavor. The finish is a mix of roasted coffee and some sweet caramel that lingers nicely.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth and fairly crisp. The roasted flavors really linger nicely on the tongue. Feels a touch watery.

D - Very drinkable. The flavors are for the most part nicely balanced and I like the nuttiness in the beer. The sweetness and roasted flavors are also really nicely balanced.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 21:16:26 | More by ngeunit1

BeerNemesis

New York

3.48/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Nut Brown Ale | on-tap | 5.4 % ABV | May 2011

Brewer: Ithaca Beer Company
Style: English Brown Ale
Glass: pint

Appearance:
Lithe chestnut brown body with a tan crown.

Aroma:
Chocolate, hazelnuts, roasted malts.

Taste:
The nutty flavors break forth from their roasted malt prison midsip. That's when this beer piqued my interest. Hazelnut is well-defined, and the finish has a rounded toffee sweetness about it that is quite nice. Too bad the rest of the flavor is so bland.

Mouthfeel:
Watery, grainy, medium-bodied, a bit dry.

Harmony:
I like the nut flavor and the toffee, everything else a lot less.

Would I get it again?:
No.

Bottled: on-tap May 2011
Served: May 19, 2011

Price = $4.00 at The Stag's Head (NYC)

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2011 05:07:55 | More by BeerNemesis

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into fluted pint glass, nice dark solid brown, with hints of amber on the edges of the glass; nice tan head, but it dissipates quickly.

Smell is feint, light caramely malt, hint of roasted/nuttiness. Light floral contribution from the hops.

Taste is a somewhat biting twang of malt sweetness, flavors range from roasted, coffee types to sweeter caramel. Lightly lingering nutty type flavor.

Mouthfeel is balanced, good carbonation and flavors throughout, a touch on the cloying sweet side.

Overall, nicely nut brown ale, flavors are all there and balance well together.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 23:13:48 | More by mvanaskie13

animalchin

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pint glass.

A - The body has a heavy appearance, mostly attributable to nice darkness all around and the tan head that initially appears then dissipates. Some light exposes dim red shimmering at the bottom and around the glass.

S - Not so much nutty as it is spicy/floral in nature. All around the aromas are very slight, making it difficult to confidently identify.

T - Much more taste than I was expecting given the aroma and appearance. Very heavy tasting dark chocolate and espresso primarily, then breaks down into nutty/toffee characteristics. A bit dry all around as well, but this compliments the bitter nuttiness that is intended.

M - The carbonation feels a little coarse at first, but given some time, a little creaminess and mobility comes through.

D - I've had this on several occasions and have always had some feelings of ambivalence towards it. But this review has opened up some nice characteristics I haven't noticed before. Ithaca BC likes to put this in many of their sampler packs, and is a fine exhibition of their work. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 17:55:02 | More by animalchin

neorunner

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Blind Beer #__ - http://flic.kr/p/9prrkV

Thanks to Kevin (shrek806) for sending me this gem in Blind Beer BIF #4.

No number on this one. 12oz bottle poured into a Unibroue glass. Dark black, not jet oil but not dirty dish water either, very little head just residual stains on the edges of the glass. Aroma is malt, coffee, and nuts all the way. Taste is very hop forward, citrusy but with a lactose finish. Mouthfeel is very wet and clean, quaffable or poundable would be proper adjectives here. I like to drink coffee with frangelico and this beer reminds me of a light version of this.

My guess is a hoppy brown ale.

The reveal - Ithaca Nut Brown Ale. I get it, its got nuts and a backbone. Any single ladies would be best to jump on this one. This is a great gateway craft beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 03:39:26 | More by neorunner

jsanford

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a Pint Glass. Part of a mixed 12-pack.

A - Pours a dark brown with mahogany highlights and a 2-inch khaki-colored head that dissipates quickly, leaving some chunky haze and a slight ring.
S - Nice roasty aromas of chocolate, coffee and nuts with a bit of caramel and spice.
T - Quite similar to the nose, very roasty. More nuts, chocolate, caramel, and coffee with a good amount of sweetness.
M - Medium-bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel and crisp carbonation.
D - Nicely drinkable, one of the better English Brown Ales I've encountered!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 00:37:26 | More by jsanford