Brick House Ball & Chain

Brewed by BrickHouse Brewery & Restaurant
Style: Brown Ale
Patchogue, New York USA

I also have to thank ’Jim’ for randomly paying for it. He said he did so because "he likes it when people do completely random and unexpected nice things for strangers." So thank you Jim, and to quote fight club, he was "by far the most interesting single serving friend I’ve ever met." As for teh beer, it wasn’t bad, but it had a strong bitterness to it that I wasn’t crazy about.

Tap at the bar. Thanks to ’Jim’ for randomly offering to pay for it. As he said, "Do you know how much money I had to spend to get rid of my last Ball and Chain?"

Unlike beerbill, I did notice a bit of chocolate, but I am not sure if it was really there or I only found it because I expected to find it. In general, I think a much better term to describe the general flavor would be dark roasted. Like beerbill, however I agree that the bitterness serves only as a finish and lacks any kind of independent character.

Growler filled at the Brick House. Pours a clear brown with a thin off-white head that lasted for about a quarter of the glass and left very little lacing. Light hoppy aroma with just a hint of malt. The flavor begins with some light malt and finishes with a sharp bitterness that is very similar to the pith of a grapefruit. In addition, the bitterness is mostly flavorless. The description from the brewer per their website and also from an email I received from them suggests there is a hint of chocolate. I did not detect any chocolate in my growler.