4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
A: Deep, clear, burgandy color. The pour produced almost two fingers of tan head that retained extreemly well, and left tons of leggy lace.
A: Big roasty malts. Very nutty. I also get a prominent chocolate, a small amount of coffee, and a nice earthiness.
T: Again, this is all about the malts. Very nice blend of the roasty and chocolate malts. The earthiness from the hops helps the beer to finish slightly dry, with a small bitterness.
M: Silky smooth mouthfeel from this medium body beer. Very light carbonation.
D and overall impression: Drinkability is high, given the low abv and the tastiness of the malts. Overall, this is one fine beer. Just a great example of how malts can be used. If all other Surly offerings are as nice as this, I can’t wait to try more. Skal.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Thanks to Dansting for this one. 16oz can served in a shaker pint. Poured a clear brown with less than a finger of tan head. Nose is pretty subdued. A little chocolate malt and some faint hops. Gets a little more pronounced as it warms. Light to medium bodied. Chocolate malt and cocoa are the predominate flavors. Hops show up in the dry finish. Also a nice lingering flavor of chocolate. Solid Brown Ale, very drinkable.
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
16oz can. Dark brown with a light tan head. Very roasty with a big coffee aroma. Bitter flavor, with more coffee and some chocolate and a real nice hop kick in the finish. Pretty tasty.
4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
Another Minnesota treat. My 1st canned micro. Pours very dark brown in glass. Ruby to light. Smooth tan head. Sweet smells of oat, chocolate, and hop. Excellent mouth. Nutty malt and creamy vanilla taste. Crispy hops highlight the oat and coffee on the dry finish. Nice lacing. REALLY great beer.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
My wife brought back a 16oz can from MN while traveling on business, she’s gone again and should be bringing back a Coffee Bender! Brown pour with a large tan head. Aroma is of hop and oatmeal a little sweet. Flavor is earthy hop, caramel, chocolate, and oatmeal which adds a nice smoothness. A very solid brown ale.
3.5 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
(Sample Date: 6/6/2009 Source:Other) RB Richmond Gathering. Can courtesy of Maniac. Roast malt aroma with grassy hops notes. Clear dark brown with a tight tan head. Roast with some chocolate in flavor. Spicy hop flavor. Dry roasty finish.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Pint can into pint glass. An awesome brownish amber color that shines ruby red when held upto a light. Nice khaki head that exhibits some pretty quality retention as well. Aroma is simple but on point -- nutty and malty... reminds me very much of the fall. Medium bodied with very soft carbonation. Nice and smooth and easy-going. Overall: a very simple but very pleasant beer.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Ok, now I know why Daknole sent this one to me. Thanks alot man! This beer kicks ass. I enjoyed every bit of it. Looks great. Dark brown with a thick fluffy beige head that sticks around. Aroma is full and strong with roasted malts and some hops. Flavor is more bitter than you would expect from a brown ale. But that makes it unique and I love it. Sweet malts, caramel, and some coffee combine with hops and oatmeal to make a sweet, bitter, dry finishing beer. No it’s not the strongest, most complex, or extreme beer out there. But the balance is excellent and it’s extremely smooth and drinkable.
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