Nut Brown Ale - Ithaca Beer Company

bigone4

Rhode Island

3.43/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle with no freshness date to be found. No real head retention but it had a decent tan off-white color when it first was poured. No real lacing present. Smells of roasted malts and a slight chocolate scent in the back ground. Hints of toffee sweetness and maybe some caramel tones. The taste is smooth and malty with a sweet caramel aftertaste. The flavor had a touch of roasted malt flavor. Some chocolate tones were detected. Not a very full bodied beer, I found it to be rather thin. It is smooth and drinkable no real outstanding notes. It was enjoyable but not my favorite brown ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2007 23:34:26 | More by bigone4

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

bottle notched right between "J" and "F" on the "Best Before" section of the label. not sure when that means it was bottled.

appears a deep chocolate brown color with ruby highlights. white head that fades to a collar. aroma of sweet brown sugar.

tastes of sweet bready malt, maybe some hazelnut flavor in there. no trace of any hops as expected. thicker body for a brown ale.

just kinda average. maybe it was better when fresh?

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 03:48:51 | More by jmdrpi

jmpizzo

New York

3.43/5  rDev -4.7%
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

soju6

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -4.7%
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

yankeeheel

Maine

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a beautiful brown with a highly carbonated head that goes away quickly. Smells very nutty and earthy.

The taste is a lot of nutty roasted malt, as you'd expect by the name. It's also got a certain sweetness and a little pear at the end. Hops appear to be an afterthought, but that really adds to this beer's smoothness. Carbonation is just wee bit too much for a malty dog like this one. A very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2003 01:02:57 | More by yankeeheel

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Purchased as variety pack from Westy's in Mechanicsburg, PA.

A- dark yet very clear

T- enticing and flavorful

M-it had the feel of pure beer in my mouth and i loved it.

D-six pack of this beer would be nice if there wasnt any other good brews.

O- i like the brews that Ithaca has and this is a good buy in my case.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2008 22:59:02 | More by Dodo2step

chickenflea

Florida

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Beer poured a medium brown with a thin tan head. Aroma of dark fruits and coffee. Promising. Taste predominantly sour. Thin in texture with a tinny aftertaste. OK, but not great. The taste never delivered the richness of the aroma. The malts were not as predominant as I had hoped.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 01:12:01 | More by chickenflea

curasowa

New York

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
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

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on a visit to the Finger Lakes. Overall perception is of chocolate malt and roasted grains. Deep brown color with very little head. Not much in the way of hops. Enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2002 12:45:30 | More by Suds

GreatPondBrewer

Oregon

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

very dependable brew, but do not expect something mind blowing here. Just a basic brown ale. Color was dark mahogony with an off-white head. Smell was roasted without too much in the way of distinction. Taste had a nutty beginning moving more into a roasted malts taste in the middle with a small hop bite in the finish. Carbonation was a problem here as there was waaaay too much of it considering the style. Good beer to wash down some BBQ with and I did just that.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2003 19:37:48 | More by GreatPondBrewer

plaid75

New York

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a solid brown hue with a one finger foamy head. There was decent retention, but poor lacing.

The smell was a subtle sweet malt chocolate aroma. Mild biscuity aroma with some hints of hazelnut.

The taste was a very dry roasted grain experience. A bit of sweetness upfront, which was quickly overpowered by the extremely dry finish.

The mouthfeel was on the thin side. Not bad though. The thiness may be attributable to the super dry finish.

Very drinkable. Because this brew is so dry, you are forced to quickly take your next sip. It's going down fast and furious.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2006 04:30:36 | More by plaid75

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a Captain Lawrence pint glass.

A: Moderate pour yields a quickly forming 1 finger, semi-fine, brown head that fades quickly but maintains a nice film atop the brew. Beer is a clear, reddish-brown. Patchy lacing forms volcano-like patterns above the foam.

S: Smoky coffee beans, caramel, slight bit of licquorice, and a hint of sour nuttiness that is difficult to place.

T: Deep and thick charred nut character with a hint of roasted coffee beans. Burnt caramel and bitter toffee is also present. Slight sour notes right at the end. Aftertaste is a viscous, slightly boozy coffee/toffee combination that's hard to place. This lasts a bit longer than is necessary though.

M: Medium bodied, carbonated and coarse, but smoothes out quickly as it warms. Rather silky in the mouth with a sticky and lingering finish that is a bit over the top given the style and the flavor profile. It's good, but I its not a flavor I want to stain my palate.

D: Pretty drinkable and nothing out of the ordinary. I thought it was actually more complex than the standard brown ale... perhaps that's a downgrade if reviewed to style? Not in my opinion though. Feel makes it go down easy though the aftertaste is just slightly offensive. I'd have this again.

D:

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 21:57:29 | More by SpeedwayJim

BeerNemesis

New York

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
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

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
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

Seanibus

California

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I never have been sure what the excitement about Ithaca beers is all about, and this one just summarizes my opinion of their offerings - it's perfectly drinkable, technically well-executed, and not bad in any way. It just fails to rise above OK.

Pours a deep reddish brown with a thin head and slight lacing. It smells slight and roasted, toasty and a little bready. The flavor is of toasted nut and roasted malt, woody and bready. The mouthfeel is thin but refreshing.

Not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2008 00:47:44 | More by Seanibus

largecar73

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up an Ithaca Beer Co. variety pack that included the Apricot Wheat, Pale Ale, Cascazilla Red Ale, and this Nut Brown Ale. 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Got a one finger head after a decent pour. Lacing is sparse. Nice dark brown color with a touch of amber around the edges.

S: I'm picking up some roasted malt, chocolate, and some toffee

T: More of the same of what I got in the nose. Also some nuts, and a little bit of dark fruits. The finish is a little watery which is slightly unpleasant.

M: Thin mouthfeel with about the right amount of carbonation.

D: I could drink a few of these and the 5% ABV is right on for a session.

There are better Nut Browns out there, but there are also a lot worse. I would pick this up again if in the mood for the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2009 21:08:45 | More by largecar73

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
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

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A cloudy and hazy, mahogany color brew. On a vigorous pour I got a scant head, tan and plain. Carbo's were desent though.
Aroma is as one might expect: I malty front with a bit of nuttiness say hazelnuts and a bit of chocolate.
Flavorful at first with some nuttiness, probably hazelnuts since thats what it tastes like, and choco. After that the taste falls along the malty graininess side.
on the palette the beer is weak and watery and has a slightly harsh finish.
overall I'd say it's a weak offering. It's good but lacks complexity and flavor. That being said I'd still drink another. Probably at some chain restaurant.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 12:24:17 | More by micromaniac129

williamherbert

New York

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Medium brown in color, but with a touch of dark red. The head goes away quickly. Can't really see through it, formidable.

Malty smell. Burnt, roasted. Very much a brown ale. Even a hint of coffee bean. Dark and actually kind of complex. Almost smells like a mild porter.

Nutty brown malt flavor, with a hint of toffee and caramel. Slightly sweet, but balanced by the roasted malt. Coffee flavor comes out as it warms up. Nice, bittersweet aftertaste.

Medium thickness, quite dry for a brown. Nice feel; not too thick or bitter. Smooth and even a bit buttery. A solid brown, strong but not too much. Healthy, "meaty" ... but drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2007 03:28:09 | More by williamherbert

jmalex

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

One of the last bottles left from my Ithaca mixed 12-pack, but oddly I haven't had this one yet. Until tonight.

APPEARANCE: Pours into a Sam Adams glass a clear ruddy brown with slight red and gold highlights. The head starts strong and gradually falls to a thick collar and large patch of bubbles in the center, presumably aided by the glass.

SMELL: The smell is a nice balance of caramel, breadiness, nuttiness, and even a slight roasty aroma, but nothing to intense. The beer is faintly estery and there is not hop aroma to speak of.

TASTE: The flavor takes a bit to kick in, but when it does, it's a sweet blast of caramel malts and a slight toastiness. Some faint hop flavor is present as well. The finish is a lasting sweetness coupled with a bit of diacetyl.

MOUTHFEEL: The body is somewhat thin and very low carbonated. But seeing as this is an English-style ale, it's fairly appropriate. There is a unique smoothness to this beer as it goes down.

DRINKABILITY: A decent take on the style. I feel it's a bit on the sweet side. Everything else seems true to form, and I would consider having another.

I think this is the beer I liked most out of my 12 pack, but definitely nothing to make me pick up that sampler again.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2007 03:05:39 | More by jmalex

IIKaRuII

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This has an amazingly dark pour. I was very aggressive and poured into an Guiness glass. The head dissipated very quickly with a very nice faint lacing. The taste is an amazing dark Chocolate flavor. almost as if someone burnt the chocolate. finishes kinda nutty, but has a distinct coffee aftertaste. I wasn't all that sold on the mouthfeel. seems to have too much carbonation in it. Drinkability is normal. Definatly would be good ham or some other kinda pork product. I didn't allow this beer to have a bitter bottom because i drank the last fourth all together. I did however think it finished VERY well.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 07:45:28 | More by IIKaRuII

neorunner

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
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

cooter

New York

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle which I paired with Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar. I promise not to let the cheese affect my review; I just love browns with cheddar. :)

Color is brown crossed with blood. Inch-high head decreased quickly to an even, bubbly, persistent quarter-inch head. Little lacing. First taste is earthy, sweet, and of berries. Malt dominates, with sugars and roasted flavors towards the back. Definitely some solid but muted caramel and very light chocolate flavors.

It may have been affected by travel and storage, but the mouthfeel, carbonation, body, and texture of the beer seem bruised. Dangerously close to (but not actually) syrupy, not enough bubbles, and thin in some unidentifiable sense. I remember enjoying the first bottles of this sixer a lot more than this one. Reminds me of the Czech lagers I had that tried to mimic a roasted ale's tastes. The chocolate does mix VERY well with the cheese, I'll say.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2004 16:21:08 | More by cooter

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a plain ole 12 oz'er without much more than a basic brown clear hue, but I give credit that this is fairly dark mahogany topped with a decent khaki cap.

Scents are good for a brown with plenty of grainy oatmeal and cereal.

First swigs: Toasted malt to perfection. Really bold toasted grain like Farinq breakfast cereal. Pure grainy brown here. Some caramel meets the nutty flavor. Some buttery toffee notes round out this brown. Slight nutty linger to the finish.

Medium bodied, with plenty of standard carbonation.

Last swigs: Brown ales tend to be boring, IMHO but this one actually has some grainy oatmeal goodness. Tasty but still a brown. Thanks to IthacaBaron for the chance to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2006 03:47:46 | More by blitheringidiot

bjohnson

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled 07/02/06. Review from notes.

A: Pours a reddish brown with a half finger off white head that has slight retention on the sides of the glass. Semi good lace.
S: Aromas of caramel and chocolate malt flavors with sweet butterscotch quaffs. Grassy hops in there also.
T/M: Tastes of burnt caramel malts with a secondary invasion of grassy hop flavors. A sweetness pervades after a hefty carbonation. Creamy and soft on the palate and goes down smooth. Slight bitterness in the ending with a fruity hop presence. Medium body and well balanced.
D: Drinkable Nut Brown, but a bit too ordinary. Not many things stood out on this one for me, but still worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2006 01:00:11 | More by bjohnson