Blue Ridge (MD) Hopfest Brown Ale

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

Mmmmm! If you like hops this is the one you need to try. Lots of rich malt in this brown ale too but its the hops that really make it exciting. They use a different hop variety each year so this one changes. I had the 2000 version (Vanguard hops) and the 2001 version (Thomas Fuggles) and enjoyed both beers very much. Excellent beer.

This one surprised me. To highlight one hop variety each year (Vanguard in ’02) in a brown ale seemed strange. Until I tasted it and found a complex, multilayered beer that both emphasises hop character throughout, yet is smooth and in balance. This bottle conditioned gem is worth laying down.

This beer is different every year. I thought the 2000 and 2001 editions were excellent while the 2002 was just good. Every year the beer has a complex flavor that brings out the best in the featured hop. The beer comes out early each fall. DO NOT BUY THIS BEER AFTER THANKSGIVING. The 2002 edition had a nice mix of Vanguard hop and chocolate flavors. Still it was not up to the high standards set by earlier years.

"Solid beer. Poured a medium brown color with nice size head which left good lacing. Aroma was nutty and malty some hops. Flavor had a hop bit to it but was mostly roated malts and nuttyness. Mouthfeel was a little thin, but still a good beer."

(2002): Mahogany body topped by medium rocky brown head. Aroma is floral hoppy, caramel, and medium sweet. Taste is wonderful -- floral hoppy and chocolate, and finished nice and roasty. The body is rich and full, with a pleasant chewiness.

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.

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.

I’m not normally a big fan of hoppy beers, but this one was very good. Not overly bitter, with the malt coming through very nicely.