Surly Bender

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

Great malty, rich beer. Doesn’t fit the generally-disappointing brown ale style (think Newcastle) as it is much richer, fuller and with more hop profile. Much improved in my opinion. I’ve had this in both the can and on tap. I have not noticed any lack of quality from the canned version. The can’s graphics, however, are in desperate need of a redesign; it is a dead-ringer for Rockstar.

Ok, now I know why Daknole sent this one to me. Thanks alot man! This beer kicks ass. I enjoyed every bit of it. Looks great. Dark brown with a thick fluffy beige head that sticks around. Aroma is full and strong with roasted malts and some hops. Flavor is more bitter than you would expect from a brown ale. But that makes it unique and I love it. Sweet malts, caramel, and some coffee combine with hops and oatmeal to make a sweet, bitter, dry finishing beer. No it’s not the strongest, most complex, or extreme beer out there. But the balance is excellent and it’s extremely smooth and drinkable.

The can-can? Would you dance with me? I loved it! The bender was just what I expected except I felt better the next day (I hope so). Carmel, coffee, chocolate malty goodness. I love brown ale. I’m glad it’s local.

[Can] Pours reddish brown with a huge light tan head. A lot going on in the aroma--malty, fruity, slightly hoppy, hard to place everything. Taste is very nice--light bitterness up front, followed by roasted malt, hints of chocolate. Ultra smooth with a very long finish...dangerously drinkable. I had been really disappointed with SurlyFest, but they hit a homerun with this one!

Nice hop aroma found in the same “location” as in the Darkness; if it were a 3D object the hops in the aroma would where the engines are in the Star Trek Voyager if you flipped it upside-down, with the bulk of the ship being the malt & everything else. Subtle notes of vanilla & chocolate. Flavor composition is like the Darkness as well in that each flavor comes at you separately, rather than as one mixed substance; works very well in these instances. Mouthfeel is very smooth with just the right amount of body. Great finish.

Poured a two finger head into my pint glass. Color is a deep amber -- not quite opaque. Smell: first thing I get is British hops. Next is roasted malt. nice. Taste. Pretty typical for a good american brown. Oh wait... incredible mouthfeel.. must be the oatmeal. very silky smooth. I don’t want to swallow. Drinkability. I had one and I’m wanting more. I guess that rates at least a 4 in my book. A very nice brown ale. This is my first Surly and I’m impressed. I have more in my fridge to keep me waiting in anticipation. Serving type: can

Dark brownish color with foamy tan head. Quite a unique flavor including roasted hops, malts, chocolate, coffee. Surprisingly balanced beer; full of flavor and slightly bitter. Excellent beer.

Pours dark brown with a finger high tan head. Descent lacing. Sweet malty raisin nose with hops. Sweet then coffee and chocolate followed by a nice semi dry hop finish. Not at all what I was expecting. You can taste the nuances of a traditional brown ale in there somwhere the complexities are truly amazing. So smooth!!