Overview for the English Brown Ale

The English Brown Ale has been around for some time and even the modern bottled product has been around since the 20th century. Its color ranges from burgundy to brown. It should have a body that’s around medium or a little below and carbonation at moderate or a shade above. It has a light malt sweetness with flavors of nut, toast, biscuit, toffee or chocolate. Floral or earthy hops flavors are low to none and moderate fruity esters may be present. It has sessionable to moderate alcohol strength. The English Brown Ale has more malty flavor than the Bitter, is stronger than the Mild, and has less roast character than the Porter.

Style Expectations

A malty, brown caramel-centric British ale without the roasted flavors of a Porter.

Appearance

Dark amber to dark reddish-brown color. Clear. Low to moderate off-white to light tan head.

Aroma

Light, sweet malt aroma with toffee, nutty, or light chocolate notes, and a light to heavy caramel quality. A light but appealing floral or earthy hop aroma may also be noticed. A light fruity aroma may be evident, but should not dominate.

Flavor

Gentle to moderate malt sweetness, with a light to heavy caramel character and a medium to dry finish. Malt may also have a nutty, toasted, biscuity, toffee, or light chocolate character. Medium to medium-low bitterness. Malt-hop balance ranges from even to malt-focused; hop flavor low to none (floral or earthy qualities). Low to moderate fruity esters can be present.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light to medium body. Medium to medium-high carbonation.

Reviews

Bonanza Brown Ale

English Brown Ale  •  Tenaya Creek Brewery

Bonanza Brown Ale is an English-style Brown Ale by Tenaya Creek Brewery that blends floral hops, biscuit, toffee, and fruity esters. Read More

24th Street Brown Ale

English Brown Ale  •  J. Wakefield Brewing

24th Street Brown Ale is an English-style Brown Ale by J. Wakefield Brewing that blends sweet caramel and chocolate with floral hops, coffee, and nut. Read More

Maduro Brown Ale

English Brown Ale  •  Cigar City Brewing

Maduro Brown Ale is an English-style Brown Ale by Cigar City Brewing that blends toffee, chocolate, and brown sugar with nut, floral hops, and coffee. Read More

Upslope Brown Ale

English Brown Ale  •  Upslope Brewing Company

Upslope Brown Ale, an English-style Brown Ale by Upslope Brewing Company is sweet and roasty with coffee, herbal hops, nut, caramel, chocolate, and toasted bread. Read More

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

English Brown Ale  •  Cigar City Brewing

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie is an English Brown Ale by Cigar City Brewing that adds vanilla and raisin flavors to a bready oatmeal malt. Read More

Styles

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