Hook and Ladder Backdraft Brown Ale

6 pack. Doesn’t pour as dark as it’s picture on the brewery website. I’m always looking for a good indie beer, and I especially like the Ithaca Nut Brown in this region, so I had high hopes for this one. Kind of disappointing actually. Off white head, and the taste is kind of watery. Got some hoppiness to it, but nothing in the way of body. And I was lead to believe by the label it was local (Rochester NY) when in fact HQ is in MD. Not that that makes a difference, but I’ll take a Dundee any day.

On tap at the Empire Brew Fest in Syracuse. Not all that exciting. It’s a solid beer with some malt but it’s not really anything special and I would not buy again

Blankboys bottle, shared with HogTownHarry and indeed Paul. App: Brown/ruby with a dishwater grey head. Aroma: ’dry’ and somewhat malty. Flavour: Meh, dull, dishwatery (to match the head) with a slight malt finish.

Had the Backdraft Brown as an after shift drink, middle of the road Brown Ale. For the beer geek there’s not much to crow about, average brown ale with light roasted malts and medium bitterness. For a macro drinker Backdraft Brown could be a gateway beer. English style Brown ale is very easy on the palate.

Pours deep brown into a shaker. Fluffy off-white head with good retention leaves spot lacing as it recedes. Slight caramel aromas. Sharp and dry with upfront caramel and a flattening finish.

Bottle, #394   Dark amber pour with small head. Aroma and flavor of roasted malt and a bit of earthiness. Smooth. Pretty good, not the best brown around.

flavor of brown and cherry. not a bad beer but the brown flavor is a conglomeration of roastiness cocoa and coffee with a cola aspect in malt that togeather make up a decent brown type flavor pattern. fruit gum like sweetness that is genuinly sweet. moderate in palate it is slick and steady. there is not the right amount of hops. not one to dis’ but not my cup o’ tea.

Bottle. Pours a clear mahogany brown with ruby highlights and good sustainable tan head. Carmel malt aroma prevails. Flavor is a little burnt and corny. Medium body with moderate carbonation. Lingering malty bitter finish.