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Wolaver’s Brown Ale
Middlebury, Vermont
BJCP Category: 11C Northern English Brown Ale
Wolaver’s Brewing Co. <visit site>
37
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[expand]Total Score: 36/50
Very nice aroma and initial flavor, both with a pleasant chocolate malt character, yield to lingering bitterness and astringency that is overly dry, even for this style. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Chocolate and caramel malts dominate aroma. Some fruity esters, reminiscent of plums. Moderate floral hop aroma, more American hop in nature than English. No to low diacetyl. No off aromas. Other than the malt, fairly neutral and pleasant aroma. (10/12)
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Appearance: Brownish amber in color; appropriate to the style. Thin head with fairly rapid dissipation. Clear. Very lightly carbonated. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate malt with hints of caramel. Moderate hop bitterness. Moderate floral hop flavor. Clean, fruity esters denote this as an ale. No to low diacetyl. Dry finish with some lingering astringency. Malt fades in a thin finish from malt to hop bitterness and astringency. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Dry with lingering bitterness and astringency. Medium-light body. No alcohol warming. Low carbonation. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Very nice aroma and initial flavor, both with a pleasant chocolate malt character, yield to lingering bitterness and astringency that is overly dry, even for this style. Cutting back a bit on bittering hops and using fewer, but higher alpha, hops would help to control astringency. Fits closely to the Northern English Brown Ale style. The organic nature of this beer is not evident, neither adding to nor detracting from its drinkability. This brown ale would go well with a light quiche and green dinner salad. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 37/50
A flavorful and enjoyable beer that is a little bigger than its English counterparts, which seems to be typical of American examples of many classic styles. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Moderate sweet toasted malt aroma, with very light citrus hop aroma. A little tinny note hints at some oxidation. A little “fishy” DMS at first, but otherwise clean. (10/12)
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Appearance: Amber with golden highlights, red undertones. Brilliant clarity. Head forms with medium bubbles, dissipates quickly to a thin but lingering layer of foam. (2/3)
Flavor: Nutty, toasty malt flavors, with currant richness. A little DMS mid-palate comes across as almost salty, but adds interest. Hints of molasses surprising to find in so light a beer. Citrus hop character is just enough to balance, adding interest to the finish. Quite pleasant, though it has more hop bitterness and aroma than many of the English imports I have tasted (Newcastle, Sam Smith’s Nut Brown). (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Body is surprisingly light, with prickly carbonation. Clean malt finish, ever-so-slight bitterness and astringency. Almost disappears. Could have fuller body. (2/5)
Overall Impression: A flavorful and enjoyable beer that is a little bigger than its English counterparts, which seems to be typical of American examples of many classic styles. The toasted and sweet malt character supports the restrained hop bitterness. As it happens, I had a couple extra bottles in my refrigerator, each from different sources, and each was consistent with this sample. A wonderful beer to have with food, as the hop character is not overwhelming to the malt complexity. Goes well with Ak-mak flatbreads and garlic hummus, or cheddar and dark rye. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
Well-made beer with good malt complexity. Fermentation flavors from esters and alcohols add enough depth to overcome a minor oxidation problem. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Slightly musty at first with some papery notes later—some oxidation is present. Yeast character is similar to Fuller’s, giving a nice balance among ethanol, esters and higher alcohols. Toasted, bready malt rather than the caramel and roasted notes in many English browns. Hop aroma is restrained relative to malt and fermentation character. (8/12)
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Appearance: Deep copper color with a beige head. Head retention is a little weak but clarity is excellent. (3/3)
Flavor: Malty sweet up front with components from both pale and dark crystal malts. Hop bitterness is enough to balance and blend with light roasted notes in the finish. Hop flavor is subdued but alcohol and esters add complexity. I would like to see more malt depth and richness. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Some alcoholic warmth and a slight mineral character similar to some strong milds I have tasted. A bit over-attenuated for style. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Well-made beer with good malt complexity. Fermentation flavors from esters and alcohols add enough depth to overcome a minor oxidation problem. A little more roasted malt would give an extra dimension to the flavor, but it could easily pass for a strong mild or winter warmer. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Lovely malt profile—quite complex. Hop flavor and aroma seem high for an English brown and have an unusual noble character. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Pleasant mix of spicy, earthy hops along with toasty, nutty, somewhat grainy malt. Some caramel sweetness and a hint of chocolate follows. Clean yeast character. Maybe a bit of alcohol. (9/12)
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Appearance: Deep amber/light copper color—just hinting at brown. Crystal clear. Tall, creamy, long-lasting head. (3/3)
Flavor: Nice caramel, toasty, nutty malt flavor with a somewhat dry and chocolate-flavored finish. Medium bitterness; clean without any harshness. Moderately high noble hop flavor—unusual but tasty. Clean yeast character. Base malt has an appealing bready character. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-high carbonation. Slightly warming. Might be a bit big for the style. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Lovely malt profile—quite complex. Hop flavor and aroma seem high for an English brown and have an unusual noble character. Not citrusy or aggressive like an American brown. An interesting, tasty and drinkable beer. Clean and well made. Should be good with a wide range of foods; I had it with a steak. (8/10)
