Beer Squared #25:Brown Ales

1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of 2012

Now that we’re in the new year, I think we’re going to start the number over on our new quest to 100 beers in 2012. Today we’re tasting a style of beer that’s become a favorite: English Style Brown Ales. Since this is our first go with nut browns….

Brown ale is a style of beer with a dark amber or brown colour. The term was first used by London brewers in the late 17th century to describe their products, such as mild ale,^[1] though the term had a rather different meaning than it does today. 18th-century brown ales were lightly hopped and brewed from 100% brown malt. (source) The most well known brown ale in the States, is Newcastle…which we’re not tasting today.  We’ve got a good mix of brewers today: Pete’s, Ska, Dundee, New Glaus, and Samuel Smith’s.