Brown Fox Session Ale - Two Brothers Brewing Company

hosehead83

Ohio

3.46/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a "bomber" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark copper color, with a short head of off-white foam.
Aroma-Toasted malt, faint chocolate
Taste-More of the same: toasted malt, subtle chocolate, faint oakiness. A bit light-bodied but very nice flavor for a "sessionable" ale at only 4.2ABV.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 23:18:59 | More by hosehead83

DavoleBomb

Ohio

2.79/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a perfect pint.

3.5 A: Not really brown in color. It's more of a clear copper amber. Two fingers of frothy beige head. Retention is about average and a short ring of lacing is left.

3.0 S: Dry toastiness, a bit grainy, cocoa powder, and a touch of caramel. Something along the lines of mineral, but not exactly mineral - something more earthy. Light floral hoppiness. I know this is a session ale, but it's not putting forth enough quality aroma to do it for me. I'd had enough session beers to know that you can still get a complex, powerful nose from them and this fails at that.

2.75 T: Like the nose, this lacks depth of flavor and complexity. Earthy mineral quality is back again. Light toast, grain, caramel, and quite dry.

2.75 M: Light body. Good moderate carbonation. It does have a nice creaminess to it, but it's like creamy water instead of creamy beer. This doesn't need to have a higher ABV, but it does need more malt.

2.5 D: It's goes down easy, but I really wish I didn't have another half of a bomber of this. I can't wait till this is over and I can pour something more flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 00:56:50 | More by DavoleBomb

RickS95

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a medium brown, fairly clear liquid. There's some red in it to lighten the color and it ends up being a shade fairer than a cola. The head is relatively thin and dissipates quickly. No lacing worth a mention.

It's got a slightly floral, crisp pilsner scent to it. Malt forward, proven by the 8 malts used in the beer.

Has an earthy taste to it. Lots of malt flavors going at it, both on the pilsner side, as well as the darker, roasted side. It's an interesting play. Has a bit of an aftertaste that kind of stays with you, like a combination of dirt and dark fruits. As it warms, a cracker taste sneeks up on you.

Light bodied, but with lots of taste. Some sweetness early, as well as some bitter and carbonation on the back side. Cleansing feel, makes you ready for the next sip or the next bite of something.

I like higher ABV, but this beer could work for me in certain circumstances. For a light, low alcohol beer, there's a lot of flavor. I think it would pair with a variety of foods. Overall, not too bad at all. A good beer to sit back and drink all day and not worry about jail time.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 02:38:52 | More by RickS95

beagle75

Iowa

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a nonic glass.
According to the label it is 3.4% abv.

A: Clear, light brown color with one finger of persistent off-white foam head. Scant lacing remains on the glass.

S: Brown malt is a bit unfocused, made more so by the detectable carbon dioxide. It hints at chocolate and earth, but is never very convincing. A trace of butterscotch is also present.

T: Begins dry, with lightly roasted malt that is more substantial than suggested by the smell. Acidity is mild into the middle, where mixed semi-dark fruit becomes well-established. The finish is soft, suggestive of chocolate pudding.

M: Medium viscosity, very soft and smooth on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: Another sessionable brown ale from Two Brothers, coming on the heels of their dark mild. The smell is a little weak and misleading, but otherwise it is approachable and very representative.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 17:43:22 | More by beagle75

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Binny's, Champaign, IL
Date: 14112A1P0527 stamped on bottom
Glass: Standard US pint

Brown Fox is an enjoyable brown session ale with distinct toasted malt and nut characters that do justice to both brown and session ales. Definitely a malt-forward beer I would keep a supply of in my fridge, if it were available regularly.

Pours a 1.5cm head with medium to large-size bubbles and light tan in color. Head has poor retention, quickly fading to a thin ring around glass, while leaving minimal to no lacing. Body is a surprisingly dark brown color, with amber hues; light brings out the amber-red tints present in the beer. Body is transparent, with minimal visible carbonation.

Aroma is primarily of toasted malt, hazelnut, and caramel, with a bit of mineral character.

Taste has strong nutty, caramel, and toasted malt flavors with a slight mineral and iron note. Sweet, fairly minimal hops are in the back during the mid and back palate to add just a hint of bitterness and balance. Surprising amount of flavor for a session beer. Aftertaste of toasted hazelnuts, malt, and slight coffee-like bitterness.

Beer is medium-light in body, with a medium-light carbonation level that results in a smooth, non-foaming mouthfeel that's somewhat crisp. Closes wet, with some minimal stickiness on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 02:17:08 | More by falloutsnow

beesy

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a standard pint glass. #7 of the 15years/15beers of Two Brothers.

A - pours a beautiful medium-light brown and it very clear when held to the light. A nice two finger, rocky, medium khaki head builds and falls to just a ring of foam within a few brief minutes.

S - malty, wheatly, slightly biscuit/bready (Victory or Biscuit malts) nutty, dirt.

T - Nice and malty throughout. Some nuttiness on the front end with some sweetness on the mid and late palate. There is just a lot of malt/wheat/bready flavors in the mid to late palate. Crackers. Walnuts.

M - it has a fair amount of body considering the abv. Slightly sweet.

D - fairly easy to drink because of the abv. The maltiness makes it drink a little heavier than what it is.

Overall, I think this is a great brown ale. Tasty, malty, easy to drink and the price point is right - $4.99/bomber. I admit I don't drink a ton of browns, but I think I enjoy this better that the Upland Nut Hugger I've had recently.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 01:38:25 | More by beesy

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Jester King pint.

A- pours a clear dark copper with a 2 finger tan head. Small blotches of lacing remain.

S- caramel, toffee, roast

T- toasted bread, toffee, bit of sourdough.

M- light body, medium carbonation. Crisp and very drinkable.

O- nice session ale, but not one I would drink too often.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 21:56:46 | More by kawilliams81

WoodBrew

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fox Brown is back on tap at the Two Bros Roundhouse and it is a Very nice session ale. The color is a clear brillant brown with white head that left a lace on the glass. The smell was nice english malt with a touch of sweetness. The taste followed the smell. The body was medium to light with good carbonation. Overall it was a very tasty ale. highly recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 00:34:14 | More by WoodBrew

bashiba

Iowa

4/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a clean dark amber with some dark walnut highlights, a light creamy tan head with very thin almost nitro like bubble consistency.

The smell is lightly malt with a touch of coffee and roast.

Nice flavor, malty without being sweet. Has a nice bit of crisp brown malt dry coffee flavor with a bit of light smokeyness as well, just a touch of bitterness in the finish.

The mouthfeel is light and very dry.

Very nicely done session beer at less than 3.5% this has a ton of flavor and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 22:15:13 | More by bashiba

barnzy78

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle, #7 of the 15 Beers for 15 Years Series
3.4% ABV

Pours brown with a fluffy beige head that holds decent retention, and leaves a little lacing on the glass. Aromas are brown malt, brown sugar, nutty. Tastes are mild with notes of brown sugar, brown malt, chocolate, grain, nutty, faint molasses. Body is thin-to-medium with good carbonation. Overall, this was pretty mellow, definitely sessionable, but a little on the sweet side towards the end. Glad I tried it, but wouldn't seek out another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 15:52:06 | More by barnzy78

emerge077

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Resurrected for the 15th anniversary series, served on draft in a 12 oz. footed goblet. The tap handle reminds me of the time a fox crossed my path one night, less than a block from this very bar.

Body is a dark copper color with high clarity, a thin broken skim across its surface, and lots of spotty lacing around the edges. Aroma of husky toasted grains, lightly yeasty also.

Malty, husky dry flavors of toasted grains, with a light lingering bitterness that lasts into the aftertaste. Light bodied with a smooth feel, it lives up to its name in the sessionable department. A simple, unfettered brown ale for easy drinking, pairs well with a variety of food.

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2012 14:46:58 | More by emerge077

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in an Innis and Gunn cervoise.

Looks like this beer is making a brief return as part of the 15 Beers for 15 Years series. Hey, whatever gets the beer to me, amiright? It pours a clear amber-sienna topped by a finger of sandy khaki foam. Lovely. The nose comprises light and wispy maple syrup, nuts, light oak, and a kiss of cocoa powder. The taste holds notes of wood, odd nuts, dark greens, hard water/rocks (you know, lots o' minerality in there), and a vague sense of buttery stone fruits layered throughout the background, sparse enough to be continuously overlooked, yet just bold enough to be occasionally noticed (something like that). The whole combination comes out a bit off in some way. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a crisp finish. Overall, an interesting beer, indeed, one that appears to be a fine little sessionable brew, but one that then turns around and surprises you...

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 15:18:05 | More by TMoney2591

Jredner

Florida

4/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The aroma is a toasty coffee/chocolate/caramel mix with a touch of dry cocoa powder-like notes. The body is a dark ruddy brown and holds a rapidly diminishing, wispy tan head. Lots of sweet caramel, choclate and coffe with some peanut skin notes and a dry, but lingering malty sweetness in the finish. Very intense flavor concentration. It really packs the tastebuds with gobs of flavor...primarily the coffee notes, but some sweet dark fruit, chocolate, nuts, cocoa and caramel are there as well. This is very tasty and has a damn nice mouthfeel. I haven’t had enough Milds to know if it is a good Mild, but it’s a damn tasty brown ale/light porter and I think most everyone in this thread is insane to rate it so low. This beer tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2006 18:32:36 | More by Jredner

krantul

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brown Fox is fine brew, to be sure, though it suffers a tad by its own definition. Two Brothers is a fairly creative brewery, and they've gotten rather fancy with the malts on this beer; as a result, they have created something quite unique and inarguably tasty, but it deviates somewhat from the standard of a traditional session beer by virtue of its own complexity. If you like a sweeter, rich-tasting beer, by all means check this one out. While I wouldn't regret purchasing some six-packs of this beer, I'd be slightly less inclined to drink it all in one go.

Appearance: It's brown! Brown Fox is brown, who'd have guessed. Well, it's a bit darker than I might have expected, but even a little dark malt will heavily tint a beer. Poured no head at all, hardly a bubble to be seen.

Smell: The beer has a nice, sweet smell, predominantly caramel, but not overwhelming.

Taste: For a session beer, it is especially rich and malty, but nothing I wouldn't have expected after the smell. It is a very sweet brew, with virtually no noteworthy bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Although low carbonation is standard for the style, it's uncommon to see an American brewery follow that guideline, especially in a bottled beer. But Brown Fox definitely has that silky, British body, undisturbed by fizz. The sweetness leaves a residual tang in the mouth, though.

Drinkability: The hallmark feature of a session beer, and Brown Fox doesn't fall short. It's predominantly the lower carbonation level that makes this beer so eminently quaffable, and the rather moderate 4.2% alcohol by volume will keep you conscious should you make a night of it. The malt profile, however, might get to be too much after too many of these; while a serviceable session beer, it falls short of a proper Fuller's bitter when it comes to fearlessly knocking back a dozen pints.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2006 21:00:24 | More by krantul

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA. Best before 8/7/06.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" tan head over the clear burgundy brown brew. Head quickly fades to swirls of big and little bubbles, with average lacing. Aroma is roasty darkish grains with a slight hoppy tinge. Taste is dark grain upfront, not as hearty as the nose indicated, with some bitter coffee notes, and a light fresh hoppiness that lingers into the aftertaste. Mouthfeel and drinkability are good, and this one is certainly a nice session brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2006 20:57:07 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

3.13/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep brown colored ale with a minimal head formation. This is a clear ale with a good red color when held up to a light.

Smell is a little sweet with malt and a strong slightly charred aroma of dark roasted malt. Slight sour smell to it from the malt.

Taste is just a little sweet at first but this quickly disappears. Slightly fruity in flavor the taste of coffee quickly overcomes any sweetness and leaves a slight char in the after taste. Not a lot in the flavor department but it is mild and easy to drink.

Mouthfeel is good.

Terribly average and non-offensive ale. Not worth a lot of effort to get but certainly easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2006 00:58:36 | More by Zorro

beerceller99

Louisiana

3.2/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle pours a clear garnet color with an off white head. Light bodied and light carbonation.Yeasty, earthy smell. Has a sour grain taste followed by sweet light caramels.Finishes with a bitter yeasty aftertaste. I’d try this again on tap but two bottles was plenty.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2005 09:19:10 | More by beerceller99

pmatz2

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - dark brown, tan head, head disappeared quickly

Smell - roasted malt but not over powering


Taste - Had a coffe taste with a slightly bitter finish that I couldn't really identify ( sort of a citrus taste). I did finish very clean with no after taste.

Mouthfeel - It was very thin / watery. It felt like a watered down port

Drinkability - It does go down easy, I was suprised by the mouthfeel. I would drink it again but I wouldn't seek it out.

Not a great beer, not a bad beer

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2005 01:02:30 | More by pmatz2

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle. Pours out a very dark brown color with a small head. The aroma is a little bit of roasted malt along with some grain. Suprisingly rich malty flavor. Very roasty and earthy. Astringent, but it doesn't seem out of place. A little bit of cocoa flavor. Mouthfeel is thin. This beer is a bit of a surprise. It doesn't look good, doesn't smell good, but I like the taste. It's not amazing, but it's solid. Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2005 00:50:08 | More by beveragecaptain

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark walnut brown with a near conflagration of fiery red-orange highlights... unless backlit. Like many beers of this color, it becomes a uniform crimson when sunlight is permitted entry. Brown fox to red fox, in other words. The attractive looking lid of golden sand colored foam displays an active upper surface of bubbles and pits. Although some wispy lace sticks, it isn't abundant.

This is a good brown ale nose, no two ways about it. It has the power and self-assuredness of a porter; a definite compliment coming from me. There's a much greater degree of roasted maltiness than this style usually manages, with plenty of chocolate and mulitiple handfuls of oven-toasted nuts. Well done.

BFSA makes a minor misstep on the palate, but not an unrecoverable stumble. The flavor lacks the solidity of the nose, seeming less deep and less interesting. What malt is present has been heavily toasted/lightly roasted, providing a sufficient amount of flavor, while the actual amount of malt feels inadequate. Yet another beer that is too insubstantial in the mouth.

I'm reminded more of a watered-down porter than a brown ale. With time and warming, iced coffee waxes in intensity and cocoa wanes. There are hints of hoppy flavor that are easily exceeded by a hoppy bitterness that becomes bolder as the finish approaches. More malty sweetness would be my preferred fix.

Brown Fox Session Ale looks good and smells good, but that's where the party ends. While it gets points for flavor boldness, it doesn't back it up with substance. As noted, more malt is an easy remedy and would, quite possibly, allow this furtive little fellow to run with the pack of brown ale greats.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2005 14:08:09 | More by BuckeyeNation

circuitmonkey

Wisconsin

3.4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a creamy tan head… low head retention. Has a light malt aroma. Appearance is dark brown. Has a very complex malt taste with very mild bitterness. Overall it has a unique taste, but I would prefer something a little less complex for a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2005 00:51:46 | More by circuitmonkey

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A-This beer pours a deep mahogany brown clear body with a nice light tan creamy head.

S-The beer has a slight fruity pale malt aroma with some faint notes of toasted malt and a light roastiness also.

T- The taste is a nice caramel malt with more complex hints of chocolate and a bit earthy. It has a slight sour taste with a hint of grassy or pine hops.

M- This beer has a medium full mouth feel with some light fizz but no alcohol warmth

D- This is a unique beer with some original malt complexity that is hard to describe. The hops are very faint and hard to notice until it warms a bit. Interesting for a taste but a bit to strange for a session.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2005 01:39:45 | More by rhoadsrage

gimmehead

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark brown with a 2+ finger tan head

Smell: biscuity malts, buttery caramel, a hint of noble hops in the background

Taste: sweet caramel malts, a little roast bitterness, a tiny bit of hop in the finish; rather bland

Mouthfeel: thin, medium carbonation; fairly dry

They were shotting for a session ale and that's exactly what they produced. A little bland, but also inoffensive and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2005 03:52:48 | More by gimmehead

DrunkMcDermott

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served at South Water Market, downtown Chicago. It's exactly as advertised, a decent “session” beer and much to be thrilled about. A thin head that leaves rings above a pleasing dark brown body. Slightly fruity ale nose. The agreeable roasty malt flavor that has a peek of darker roasts, like it had rubbed elbows with a porter on the subway. Discernable English hops balance the malt sweetness. No more or less than a good session ale.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2004 21:01:26 | More by DrunkMcDermott

Crosling

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Brown

Various malts provide mainly coffee but also nuts (pecans and peanut shells) and a small amount of chocolate and grapes in the nose.

Taste: Fairly distinct in its flavor profile. True to the style: sweet, nutty and full of various dark malt notes.. Carbonation to the extreme and a complete lack of body. Notes of grapes, coffee, almonds and chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2004 14:18:33 | More by Crosling