Humboldt Brown Hemp Ale

Brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Style: Brown Ale
Paso Robles, California USA

Serve in Dimpled mug

Sampled at a local tasting benefit at 20West Liquors in Lombard, IL., Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a sampler glass with a clear, brown tone, modest, light tan head foam, and some wavy cling to the lacing. The aroma was herbal/floral, with a little toastiness, caramel malt sweetness, and a hint of cocoa. The flavor was similar, with moderate hop bitterness, and a dry finish. A decent, standard Brown Ale with an herb/hemp twist.

Pours a four finger off-white head that fades quickly, leaving traces of lace. Clear deep mahogany color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Light toasted malt nose and flavor is roasted malts, not finding any hemp. Typical brown. $2.45 for a 12oz bottle from Bert’s Better Beers Hooksett, NH.

Doesn’t taste or smell like hemp (pot), which is the least I could have hoped for. The most I could have hoped for? It could have carried with it the psychological effects of hemp (pot).

Poured into a mug. 3.5 A: Clear dark amber/light brown color. Two fingers of frothy beige head with average retention and nearly no lacing. 3.5 S: Dry, toasty nuttiness. Pithy, barely herbal earthiness, presumably from the hemp. Chocolate and a touch of coffee underneath it all. Overall grainy. Not bad, but a little weak. 3.5 T: Not as dry as the nose suggests. There’s actually a decent amount of caramel in there. Toasty nuttiness is a big component again. Grassy hops. Grainy, chocolate, coffee in that order. I can definitely taste the hemp and it is actually a great addition to the beer. Pithy and herbal and highly compatible. This would be scored much higher if it didn’t taste watered down despite a good amount of flavor. And on to the mouthfeel we go... 2.5 M: Light body. Much thinner than I want. Surprisingly creamy for how light the body is. Good moderate carbonation and very smooth. 3.5 D: If they upped the mash temp of this by a good 4 or 5 degrees, this could be a very good beer. Nose and taste are both pretty good, I just want more of it. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 06-27-2011 16:42:30

Tasted 6/26/11. 12oz bottle. Pours filtered with a deep brown hue. Webbed khaki head. Aromas of toffee, fudge and cocoa. Woody and earthy. Subtle maple and resinous hops. Medium bodied with a very sweet cola flavor and character. Moderate effervescence. Rather sticky in the finish! The malt bill has a bit of a burnt seedy flavor to it. I’m assuming it’s the hemp. It does add a nice new aspect of complexity to the palate. Not too bad!

Growler from my local Whole Foods. Pours a dark brown with a small light tan head. Aroma of sweet malt, a sweet fruitiness (tart raspberry), and earthy notes. Flavor of the same fruity notes up front with an earthy, malty finish. Some bready notes as well. A good beer and more interesting than your typical brown ale. 7/4/7/4/15 [3.7/5]

19th May 2009
Clear dark brown beer. Palate is slightly dry. Nicely balanced. Smooth malt that has a vague nutty flavour. The hops are not too aggresive and provide a sweet peachy orange as well. A little bit different. Finishes sweet and tangy. Subtle pleasures!

Poured from the 12 oz. Bottle. Color is typical for a brown ale, clear with a very thin head. Aroma is malty, slightly roasted. Flavour also has a roasted, chocolate character. Overall pretty decent brown.
Earlier Rating: 4/14/2011 Total Score: 4.4
On tap @ Petes in Sacramento. Served in a mug. The aroma is suprisingly hoppy. Colour is a nice Brown, clear with a red hue. Flavour is very pleasant. Nice roasty malty flavours that are very smooth. Finishes moderately dry. Mouth feel is full bodied with light Carbonation. Overall this is a great Brown that is just a little different than most in a good way!