Brooklyn Extra Brune

On Tap at the Ravenous Pig in Winter Park. Poured into a trappist glass. Dark burnished mahogany color. Really strong banana smell with hints of chocolate fruits. Smells amazing. The taste is remarkable, it seems stronger than it is, I had guessed 9 or 9.5% but the flavor aside from that is terrific. Carbonation is just right, the flavors are clearly defined and it went very well with my meal. The chocolate notes were hidden but I noticed as it warmed they became more defined but the banana flavor dominated. One of my favorite beers. I’m suprised my score was so different than others, but this is pretty hard to find from what I hear. I was glad to have gotten a chance to try it.

Tap at Hop Devil. An interesting beer. Really tastes like a weizenbock -- specifically Brooklyn’s weizenbock -- to me. Lots of bubblegum and spice in the flavor, wheaty and quite sweet. Very enjoyable.

On draft at Rustico in Alexandria VA 03/14/08. Dark raisin color with a thin tan head. Aroma was sort of a mixed bag, some candi sugar, banana and plum. Flavor was all over the place and not really in a good way. Strong diacetyl character and the mouthfeel was fizzy. Does have some spicy character with hints of yeast and herbal undertones. Alcohol is well hidden. Overall balance and subtlety are lacking.

Not much aroma or head. Especaily drinkable sweet finish well ballanced Booz that is pressent but not overwhelming.

Draft, at London Grill, Philadelphia. Poured medium amber with a moderated sized tan head. Aroma was sweet, with notes of candi sugar, spice, yeast, and some herbal character. Sweet caramel malt flavor with herbal and yeasty nuances. Finishes dry.

Draught at Tylers. Pours a cloudy muddy brown with a thin white lace. The bartender (trying to be nice) served it a pint glass. Oh well. Nose was banana, spices, belgian yeast, caramel, tobacco. Flavor is similar to aroma, and sort of reminds me of Aventinus. Kind of watery towards the end and the alcohol shows as it warms. Pretty good, but there’s plenty better american belgians on the market.

On tap at Rich O’s - Pours light amber with a thin foamy tan head. Aroma of bubble gum, cotton candy, caramel, toffee. Taste is estery, caramel, spice, apples, and toffee. Medium to full bodied with lush carbonation. I really liked the mix of the caramel and fruity esters.

On tap at the Columbus Bar. Reddish brown with a thin offwhite film for a head. Drier ginger to fruity Belgian like nose. A bit of berries? Soem spice. Thinner, fizzier mouthfeel. Dry fruity spicy cinnamon with some ginger spice. Small alcohol, dry lingering spice. I’d drink it again if I saw this on tap!