Surly Bender

Brewed by Surly Brewing Company
Style: Brown Ale
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

Draught sample at brewery during the Surly tour, RBSG Minneapolis, June 23 2007. Near-opaque molasses color with a bit of dark tan head receding....nutty, lightly fruity (grapy) and significantly hoppy aroma, much more agressive than most brown ales but still within the style parameters I think; caramel cream shows up with a little bit of time....the body is juicy, vanilla-nutty, earthy with light candied fruits....remarkably luscious, full, velvety mouthfeel. Certainly among the 5 best brown ales I’ve had and I can’t wait to pop the can I brought back for a proper pint of it.

Sample at Brewnosers’ meeting April 2008. Brown colour with a mostly lasting frothy off-white head. Chocolate, citrus, coffee, and molasses aroma. Chocolate, bready, earthy, and coffee flavours with a citrus and piny bitter finish, medium bodied, rich, and lightly chewy but refreshing.

Out of the can. Fluffy brown head. Nose with hints of puffed wheat, cocoa puffs, coffee and a hint of lactose. Burnished mahagony color against the light. More complex than most brewers’ brown ales. Light chocolate, sweetened coffee, puffed wheat, some roast grains and caramel sweetness. There is a hint of some tangy acidity in the background, with an almost sour cherry note. Had this at the brewery back to back with the Coffee Bender, and I preferred the regular. I got more of the hops out of the tap sample than from this can.

Yeh, they did this one right. Along with the implied and truly apparent smoothness (oats? good decision), the nice combination roast and hop finish is it all blending seamlessly. I tend to either over-scrutinize or plain overlook brown ales. This one just had me enjoying it and thinnking that I could and would enjoy more if I could.

Can... Rating # 3500... Beautiful, deep, dark, ruby ale with a mid-sized, creamy, khaki head. Terrific, everlasting retention. Cocoa, rich caramel, Merlot and brown sugar nose with a healthy helping of piney hops and a whisper of lactic acidity. Roasty, bitter-sweet flavor provides creamy caramel and chocolate, alongside medium, earthy bitterness and light acidity. Remarkably, almost full-bodied and velvety with lively carbonation. Bitter, mildly sour finish. Mega-Thanks to robertsreality for shipping this treat to Florida!

From a can, thanks badbeer and Erdinger2003. Dark brown body with some ruby highlights. The head is medium khaki colored. Chocolate and caramel smells come out initially. The taste has chocolate ice cream raspberries. This has some notes of high quality tobacco. Nice.

Can from IrishBoy (thanks!) - dark amber with a tan head - roasty, nutty aroma, with hints of wood and vanilla - smooth, creamy mouthfeel, with a medium body, nicely bittered, with a slight bit of roasty/smokey notes to compiment it - well-intergrated flavors of hazelnut and vanilla - slight herbal/spice qualities - very well balanced - I would love to have regular access to this.

Pours a small tan head, good retention and some skinny stringy lace to boot. Clear brown brew with a pretty red hue. Nose is caramelly, lightly nutty and grainy. Medium bodied, pretty damn smooth, lightly creamy. Notes of roast, caramel, cocoa and faint bitter sweet chocolate , maybe some toffee notes as well. Finish is almost dry, roasty and lasting. One nice Brown Ale. footbalm delivered this baby. Thanks Eric!