Brooklyn Brown Ale

This is the final beer in my Brooklyn series.  One of my favorite beer styles, the Brown Ale!   Brooklyn Brown is an American Brown Ale which is not as malty as the English counterparts but has that American hop presence and finishes a little on the drier side.

Aroma - Hints of dark chocolate, toast, caramel, and slightly nutty.  Slight earthy-floral hop aroma.  Hint of fruity esters.

Appearance - Deep brown, clear.  Thin off-white head.

Flavor - Very malty, emphasis on chocolate, toasty, and nutty with a touch of sweet caramel in the finish.  Despite the sweet caramel, this beer finishes nice and dry, probably due the the roasty nature of the malts and the medium hop bitterness.  There is a slight hop flavor, very mellow.  Very balanced and drinkable.

Mouth-feel - Medium, finishes dry.

Overall - What a great American Brown Ale.  Delicious!  Plenty of malt complexity from chocolates to toast to nuttiness.  Medium hop bitterness to balance.  Dry finish... What more could you ask for in a great, easy drinking beer.  Pick this one up ASAP!

Brooklyn East India Ale

The third beer of the Brooklyn series of reviews.  This is Brooklyn's take on an English IPA.  An English IPA is a more malt forward beer compared to the American counterpart.  It is also not have as big a hop punch.  Let's get it on!

Aroma - Moderate floral, earthy hops.  Hint of grassy dry-hop.  Pleasant toasty-caramel malt.  Slight fruity esters.

Appearence - Beautiful, clear golden-amber.  Thin white lacing head.

Flavor - Hop bouquet up front; floral, earthy, grassy, slight citrus.  Assertive hop bitterness, but not overwhelming.  The malt backbone of this beer balances this bad boy; toasty, biscuit-like, slight caramel.  There is a nice fruity presence in the background that adds to the complexity, making this beer a great drinking experience.

Mouth-feel - Medium body, dry, but has a slight malty sweetness. 

Overall - What a great balanced hoppy beer.  Great complexity from all aspects; hops, malt, and yeast.  Plenty of hop flavor, not as much as an American IPA, but pleasing.  English malty presences, mmm mmm toasty.  Highly drinkable, highly recommended.

Brooklyn Lager

The second installment of my Brooklyn series, Brooklyn Lager.  This is definitely on the top of my list for favorite lager beers.  This beer is considered a Vienna Lager, kind of a little brother to the Oktoberfest.  Here are my notes:

 

Aroma - Toasty sweet malt.  Slight floral hops.  Hint of alcohol.

Appearance - Clear, amber lager.  Thin off white head that laces down the glass.

Flavor - Pleasant malt upfront; soft, toasty, bready, Munich like.  Sharp hop bitterness, slight floral hop presence.  Very balanced and clean.  Sweet malt after taste.

Mouth-feel - Medium mouth-feel and medium carbonation.  Soft across the palate.

Overall - What a great lager.  Represents what a lager is meant to be; clean, balanced, and very drinkable.

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Alright, grabbed the Brooklyn Party Pack 12 pack.  This is the first of four beers in the pack.  Pennant Ale is an English Pale Ale.  Here are my thoughts:

Aroma - Toasty malt, background caramel notes.  Fruity esters. 

Appearance - Clear, golden ale.  Tight thin white head.

Flavor - Beautiful toasty-biscuity malt.  Slight caramel sweetness.  Touch of floral, earthy hops.  A balancing bitterness at the end.

Mouth-feel - Medium, with medium-low carbonation.  Drinkable.

Overall - A great session beer!  Tons of malt, very toasty and biscuity.  There are just enough hops to balance everything out.  I highly recommend this beer.

Samuel Adams Black Lager

This is my favorite Sam Adams beer and a style that is in the top of my favorites.  Let's dig in!

Aroma - Clean malt aromas.  Slight hint of coffee.  Very low sulfur like aroma, yeast derived.

Appearance - Very dark brown with ruby highlights when held against light.  A tight ring of tan foam lingers around the edge of the beer against the glass.

Flavor - Very clean.  Rich maltiness accompanied by a slight coffee flavor.  There is a hint of spicy, floral hops.  Bitterness is there, just enough to balance the sweetness from the malt.  Leaves with a pleasant sweet Munich malt taste.  No fruity esters present.  Great beer.

Mouth-feel - Very drinkable.  Medium bodied.  Medium carbonation.  Perfect for style.

Overall - What a great lager.  Complex rich malt paired with a slightly roasty coffee flavor that is balance by a touch of hops.  Clean lager fermentation.  Highly drinkable.