Blue Ridge (MD) Hopfest Brown Ale

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

Aroma is chocolate, maple syrup, and a hopiness that doesn’t quite blend in. Flavor is very nutty, cocoa powder, mild mixed hops. The hop aroma is mild to moderate but the bitterness is very strong especially in the finish and aftertaste. Every hoppy brown ale seems to be a totally different beast from other hopped up browns and this is no exception. The strong nuttiness and chocolate mixed with the hefty bitterness makes an interesting beer. L - ***

Hazy dark brown colour with a dense dark tan head. Aroma of hops (more than anything), malt, caramel and some light fruityness. Medium-bodied; Assertive hoppiness-some malt and a decent amount of sugars. Aftertaste is clean for a brown, shows some residual hoppiness. Overall, not really a brown-no nuts nor caramelised sugars in the taste. A good beer (wierd for me to say-being a brown), but with your eyes closed, you’d think its an APA. Good to try-pick it up if you have it available! I sampled this 12 ounce bottle purchased at Chevy Chase Wine & Liquors in Washington, D.C. on 09-October-2004 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with my good friend Jon[R888710].

Brown body with a few cherry red hues. Very nice oatmeal, light-brown colored head. Smells very hoppy, bright, dry and crisp. One dimensional flavor until the very end. Starts all hops, flat. Lemony pine. Ending is roasted malt with a bit of chocolate. Taste is so hoppy, if you close your eyes, you would think this was an APA. Provided to me by my great friend jgb9348 and enjoyed on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Poured a bright red (when held to light) to a dark brown color with a medium sized light tan creamy head and nice lacing on the glass. Citrusy hops, sweet chocolate, nuts, and malt in the aroma. Taste too, is dominated by hops, with nice chewy, sticky, and sweet malts. I really liked this one, it reminded me of a small Arrogant Bastard. Thanks BrianO.

Sparkling browns and reds, fizzy off white head. Nose is sweet malty chocolate with light floral hops aroma (needs a bit more oomph). English brown ale tasting with a good shot of hops backing the maltiness Medium bodied, fizzy carbonation, dry smooth bitter finish. Somewhat impressed with this one. Nice brew from our own backyard.....

Supposed to be unfiltered, but it pours a crystal clear, ruby/copper hue. Mid-sized, fizzy, beige head. The nose is of milk chocolate, dill (omhper is dead on) and very light mint. Very malty flavor like any good brown ale, but hopped very nicely as well. Medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and lively carbonation. Medium-length, bitter, then dry finish. Damn nice brown ale! Very good session brew. Pleasantly surprised by this one as I don’t typically like the Blue Ridge line of beers. Top notch facilities and a great contract brewer, but most of their own line falls short in my book. Not this one!

This is a bit different - a hoppy brown ale. Probably the 1st hoppy brown ale that I've ever had. Nice reddish brown color and interesting flavor. One swig will be a bit sweeter like a brown ale and the next swig will be hoppier. Cool.

An interesting highly hopped brown ale. Hops feature prominently on the label, but there is plenty of malt flavor to go along with the hops. Always a treat.