Max North Shore Ale

Date: 09/03/2004
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

dark opaque brown, bubbly tan head, earthy hop aroma, light body with a rich dark malt flavor with no single malt standing out, underlying bitterness leading to pleasant bitter finish,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.7/5.0
Score: *4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Bottle. Brown, with small white head. Very malty and roasty aroma. Chocolate and mocha are in flavor. Full and complex malt character with a fairly light body. Nice bitter finish from roasted malts.

On tap at the brewpub. This one has 8% abv according to the bartender. The official brewer’s description follows: "Not quite a porter and more than a brown ale; a tribute to the brewer’s fond memories of Boston." My description: delightful nutty toasty scent. not much head. dark brown with garnet highlights. toasted, woody flavor. a bit tart - bitter?, making the mouth feel too harsh. I have mixed feelings; perhaps it is overhopped for the style.

Draft, deep ruby brown. Huge sweet caramel and molasses aroma, with a touch of roastiness. Larger roasty flavors, and lots of caramel with a moderate bitter finish and a touch of smoke. Body with medium to thick, with initial sweetness and finishing a little dry.

Deep, rich amber color with no real predominant aroma. Taste is light and sweet and only mildly hopped. The best of the six beers I tried at this place. Commercial description is "not quite a porter and more than a brown". I find this "tweener" brew lacking anything of real substance.

Pours a light brown with a short lived head. Flavor is sweet maltiness with a measure of hoppiness thrown in for balance. A great session ale.