3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Yeh, they did this one right. Along with the implied and truly apparent smoothness (oats? good decision), the nice combination roast and hop finish is it all blending seamlessly. I tend to either over-scrutinize or plain overlook brown ales. This one just had me enjoying it and thinnking that I could and would enjoy more if I could.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
can poured a dark ruby brown in color with a one finger light tan head. aroma has nutty brown malt, well integrated hops, and a bit of earthy richness with the oats. mouth feel is medium for the style and the carbonation on the lighter side. I was hoping for a little more thickness from the oats. flavor comes off with loads of malt, generous hops lending bitterness, earth, light bitter cocoa, nuts, and a light lactic finish. Interesting that the most oats are in the flavor. overall a nice take on a brown with nice bold malted flavors.
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.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Valley Brew tasting Feb 2007 - Aroma and flavor are toasted caramel and toffee malts with a slight hoppiness. Again, not sure of cans age but I’m not getting the crisp hoppiness others mention. Thus leaving this brew a normal brown and nothing special.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
Can. I’ve had this more times than I can remember, and I finally get around to rating today! Dark brown pour, a little carbonation and a roasty caramel aroma. Flavor is malt, caramel and some chocolate on finish. Solid beer, but I like the coffee version better.
3.9 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 15/20
Can from my "Secet" Santa Skyview. Thanks Bob! Pours clear dark brown, thick pillowy head, gorgeous lacing. I honestly can’t fathom a brown ale looking better than this. Nose is dark grains, slight spiciness, dark fruits, caramel, a certain "woody" character, so I’m guessing English hops. Flavors are multifaceted and rich, toasty caramel, flinty graphite, nice all-over mouthfeel. A tremendously pleasing beer. I’m only about a quarter through it now, and I’m very much looking forward to the other 3/4 of this one.
3.7 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
A flavoursome, superior brown ale. I really like the American take on what’s often a rather dull style. Lovely caramel flavours with mocha notes and hints of vanilla. Medium bodied and soft in mouthfeel. As with everything we tried from Surly, this is really nice work. (Can courtesy of Oslo - thanks buddy - at the Milson Point park session September 09)
3.5 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 15/20
UPDATED: MAR 3, 2008 Tap @ Hopleaf, this is a re-rate sort of! Thought I had the bender a month ago, actually was the Surly Bitter. This brew was nice, one of the best brown ales I have had. Dark creamy porter like beer with some but faint head. Aroma of nuts, cocoa, coffee, creams, and malts. Not as hoppy as expected but nice balance of all the other flavors. Great palate and nice aftertaste. This one was a lot better than bitter.
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