Blue Ridge (MD) Hopfest Brown Ale

Brewed by Wild Goose LLC (Flying Dog)
Style: Brown Ale
Frederick, Maryland USA

What is this beer hopped, like fifteen times? Exceedingly bitter brown ale with a dry, lasting finish. Moderately tempered by a brown sugar sweetness. So many brews are listed “Brown Ales” and so many have remarkably different characteristics that it may be time to start breaking down the category into more specific segments. It’s a long way between this and Newcastle.

Bottle and served in a trusty pint glass: A medium rusty brown hue with a small but lasting frothy head and okay lacing. the aroma has a chalky and papery overtone along with some roasted malt, walnuts, and light piney hops. Taste is better than the nose but still not very newsworthy. A lot of sweet malt upfront followed by a nice dose of pine and earthy character. Some nutty and pepper found within as well. The feel is just average, moderate sharpness but had a chalky finish. I hoped for more but found less, disappointing.

A dark reddish brown with a small head that vanishes quickly. Tastes like a brown ale, not my favorite style, not as much malt or intensity as I would like, but easy to drink. More intensely hopped than a Britsh brown, which is a plus, but still lacking in complexity.

Yeasty aroma, with lots of hops, caramel, sweet. Pours brown. Has a sweet malty flavor with some roasted malts and great hop flavor too.

I am not a big fan of brown ales. This was the first time I have had this beer. Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer pours a dark brown color with a large dark tan head. The aroma is moderately strong floral hops and not much else. The flavor is full of dark dry malts with light chocolate and a moderately strong floral hop element. The finish is dry and vaguely bitter. Not too bad for a brown.

Slightly hazy, reddish brown appearance with a small off white head and good lacing. Earthy aroma that held some caramel and a touch of coffee along with the hops. Lively carbonation (although when tried on tap it was a little softer) with a very decent hop profile. Roasted malts added balance and depth. Dry, somewhat bitter, finish. Has become my favorite brown ale.

Nice idea for your fresh hops - instead of a pale ale, do a brown! Big hoppy nose, slightly sweet. Taste is maple nutty with a strong assertive hop finish. I agree with those who think that the sweet doesn’t blend all that well with the hops, but in the end, I really enjoyed this one.

Deep copper color with ruby menisci. Aroma of caramel malt, cabernet, nuts, toffee, hops. The taste is caramelly, with finishing hops, toffee, nuts, even some chocolate and cinnamon. Notable complexity and decent balance. I like this beer.