Marzonis Brown Ale

On tap, at TotB 2009. Pours a rather light brown color with a moderate fizzy light beige head. The nose is nutty and chocolaty with just some light hops and a bit of graininess. Very light flavor, a little grainy and husky with a bit of milk chocolate and hazelnut. Light bodied with normal fizzy carbonation. Overall, a little water and thin. Didn’t relly do too much for me.

Sampler at the Allison Park location, 02.03.08 (Super Bowl Sunday). Sampler courtesy of the brewer’s assistant. Darker clear brown, off white head. Aroma is malt, caramel: smells chewy. Flavor is the same with some honey wheat and is indeed chewy.

On tap at the Marzoni’s in Allison Park, Pittsburgh. Has a good roasty aroma with a background that is reminiscent of fresh J&L slag or permanent hair treatment my mom used to use when I was a kid. Darker looking brown and hazy, somewhat like dark iced tea. Mild carbonation that borders on creamy. Well mannered and friendly flavor with a little bitterness that is difficult to identify. Not bad for a darker brew but it could be a little more well behaved. Would not know this is 4% or less in ABV. Has flavor attributes that make me think it is much higher. Mild to medium bitter builds on the back of the throat and hangs for a while after the session, tho not really offensive, just enough to let you know it’s beer.

5 oz sample at the brewery. 2007 version, 4.0% ABV. Has sort of a cherry and brown sugar colored body. Malt-forward, toasty and bready with a little bit of spice as well, like toasted raisin spice bread. Bready and fresh overall, a well made brown that I honestly wouldn’t mind drinking.

Mild aromas. Dusty roasted nutty malts. Light floral hops, a bit peppery with notes of licorice. Medium amber-brown, hazy, with thin off-white lacing head. Medium watery body with medium carbonation. Starts with a bit of caramel sweetness, dry nuttiness. Dry throughout with nice floral nutty bitterness. Finish is a dry bitter nutty sweetness. Light bitter after.