Surly Bender

Brewed by Surly Brewing Company
Style: Brown Ale
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

Serve in Dimpled mug

Can from jrob_21 - thanks!. Big hoppy nose with Cascades and some must, a lot of roast/toast malt with heavy waves of bitter chocolate and nuts. Caramel. Dark mahogany pour with a unique orange-brown head that creams and rocks itself deliciously. Taste is - yessir - heavy, thick chocolate malt and prickly Cascades, has enough Black Sun in it for comparison, but then veers off in its own direction, with silky, syrupy oatmeal strands, caramel, and cocoa. Bitter and nutty. Finish and after have a slightly acidic fruity tang, otherwise dry and rindy. Thinnish, flattish body. Cocoa reminds more of a porter than of a brown ale. Robust session actually worthy of everyday drinking. Layered, complex, delicious!

The aroma is wonderful, raisin, fig, hint of licorice and molasses. The color is dark brown with a touch of red when held to the light. The head is of white, mostly diminishing with good lacing. The initial flavor is bitter a little watery, then you flavor of raisin, roasted coffee, pretty good.

From a 16oz can. Pours a dark brown, semi-transparent color with a massive serving of thick, well sustaining beige head. Nutty aroma of toasted peanut skins that are balanced nicely by a wave of perfumy hops that contain notes of marigold petals, gentle pine, and celery leaf. A bit of graham cracker and cookie dough support the malt aroma nicely. Light to medium bodied, silky smooth mouthfeel. Soft on the palate, but not overly chewy. The malt character is much stronger than the aroma let me believe. Plenty of toasted bread crust, hazelnut, and a hint of unsweetened baker’s chocolate give this a refreshingly dry palate. Clean finish, with a subtle white grapefruit hoppiness left lingering with some toasted oatmeal. A very satisfying example of the style without deviating to extremes. Thanks, Tom!

Thanks for the can, Shannon! Sweet looking 16oz can. Very dark but clear mahogany. Lasting froth. Aroma primarily chocolate, some sweet fruity. The flavor is a dark ipa. moves dry to sweeter, mellow to more bitter, chocolate, toasted nut, something tangy i can’t put my finger on (melon?) leaves a long lingering northwestern hop bite. Watery in texture compared to what i expected from the flavor.

Pours very dark brown with a long lasting foamy tan head. Strong aroma of dark malt, hops, vanilla and a little nuttiness. After the first sip, the first thing that I notice is the outstanding creaminess. Extremely smooth texture which makes it very drinkable. Taste is awesome...nutty, creamy, hint of coffee & chocolate and balanced with the perfect amount of hops. Texture of this is what set’s it apart most. Best brown ale I’ve ever tasted!

Canned thanks to a trade. Brown brew with a big fluffy and creamy tan head. Smells of roast malt, some coffee or toffee smells as well. Tasty beer, even if my better half said "I thought you didn’t drink beer from cans." Probably one of the best browns I’ve had to date. Darn glad I have a few extra for camping season.

1 pint can. Props to my brother in law for driving this down from Minneapolis. Aroma: Lots of toasted nuts, coffee, toffee, and brown sugar. Some citrusy hop notes, as well. Appearance: Dark brown with some reddish highlights. Light tan head was full and creamy with good retention. Good lacing. Flavor: Toffee, coffee, toasted nuts, light raisins. Can definatly taste and feel the oatmeal. Really helps round it out. A little light spiceiness. Some citrusy and grassy hop notes into the finish. Well balanced. Palate: Medium bodied. Medium carbonation. Slight astringency on sides of mouth. Overall: I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile, and I really enjoyed it. Smooth, well balanced, and very drinkable. Lots of flavor. Great beer.

UPDATED: SEP 8, 2007 Tap at the Happy Gnome. Colored like maple syrup with a creamy, thin head. Aromas of black licorice, vanilla, berries, and a touch of citrus hops. Feels a bit acidic in the mouth with syrah tones of pepper and chocolate. An interesting blend of sensations very well balanced.