- Let’s Brew
- Community
- Directories
- Events
- Competitions
- Membership
- Homebrewing Rights
- Zymurgy
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- Grow Your Business
Indian Brown Ale
Milton, Delaware
BJCP Category: 23A Specialty Beer
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery <visit site>
37
-
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Caramelized sugar added alcohol and lightened the body of a big beer, much like candi sugar in a Tripel. The balance of all the elements yielded a very nice and drinkable beer. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Alcohol dominates the aroma but there is a very nice balancing of roasted malts, light fruity esters and low, floral hop aromas. Almost a Belgian Dubbel made with American Ale yeast. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Dark brown with ruby red highlights. Very clear. Thin but reasonably lasting head retention given the level of alcohol. Good legs on the glass even after the head has subsided. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate maltiness with considerable alcohol up front. Caramel flavor persists through to finish and aftertaste. High hop bitterness and moderate hop flavor balances both the malt and alcohol. No diacetyl. Clean fermentation for an ale without excessive esters. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with lots of alcohol warming and some mild astringency, light chalkiness and soft carbonation. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Caramelized sugar added alcohol and lightened the body of a big beer, much like candi sugar in a Tripel. The balance of all the elements yielded a very nice and drinkable beer. I’d classify this as a big, or Imperial, American brown ale. A great beer with a crème brûlée dessert. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
The flavor surprised me. The aroma led me to expect a more astringent product, but the flavors of the aromatic malts and caramelized sugars rounded everything. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Acidic dark malt character with a combination of earthy and floral hop aroma. Clean fermentation, no esters, but a hint of sulfur. A very attractive deep caramel quality emerges as the beer warms. (8/12)
close >
Appearance: Deep clear ruby color with even, tiny bubbles rising to the surface. Creamy though thin tan head forms with a swirl, leaves lace on the sides of the glass. Pouring the beer faster produces a profusion of bubbles that rise in slow motion spirals hinting at a full body. A truly beautiful beer! (3/3)
Flavor: Rich caramel flavor with high alcohol mid-palate suggests the addition of fermentable sugars. Biscuity malt is almost overpowered. Not much hop flavor, but a very balanced bitterness lingers in the finish. Alcohol is a strong flavor component, though not offensively so. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: A little alcohol heat, fairly soft carbonation, but still a little prickly on the tongue. Lighter bodies than I expected, but still creamy. Slightly astringent in addition to the hop bitterness. (3/5)
Overall Impression: The flavor surprised me. The aroma led me to expect a more astringent product, but the flavors of the aromatic malts and caramelized sugars rounded everything. The hop flavors were subdued, but balanced. In fact, the best word to describe this beer is balanced, even with the alcoholic heat, which reminded me of an export stout. This beer could be either an over-the-top Northern English brown or its own style with characteristics of both the Northern English and a softer, higher alcohol American brown. Who knows? Maybe Indian brown could be the next new style! (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
Well-balanced beer, but it was not apparent what would distinguish it from the robust porter style. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Roasted malt comes through first, followed by caramel malt. There is an earthy, tobacco character from the Goldings hops. Alcohol and esters are noticeable, but at an appropriate level for a derivation of the IPA style. (10/12)
close >
Appearance: Very deep brown with mahogany notes, long lasting light beige head and excellent clarity. (3/3)
Flavor: Chocolate and roasted malts are dominant—at the level I would expect for a Robust Porter. Lots of malt complexity with the caramelized brown sugar enhancing the dextrins. Alcohol is apparent, along with the related esters and warmth in the finish. Hop bitterness is more restrained than in most IPAs, but works well in combination with the roasted malts in this beer. More hop flavor would add complexity and depth. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Some alcoholic warmth, slight astringency from roasted malts, but good dextrin contributions to the body and residual sweetness on the lips. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Well-balanced beer, but it was not apparent what would distinguish it from the robust porter style. Most brown ales have a more restrained roastiness, while the brown sugars are also a traditional ingredient in the porter style. More emphasis on hops and less on the roasted malt might be more appropriate. Still quite enjoyable to drink. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 35/50
Has potential but seems young; let it age to see if the alcohol and roast flavors will smooth out and blend. At 7.2 percent ABV, this can cellar for a while. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Lightly grainy chocolate malt aroma with a sugar caramel sweetness. Lightly fruity esters mixed with a bit of alcohol. The roasted aroma tends to dominate and persist. Hops seem rather low and mixed into the background; they provide some earthy, floral complexity. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Medium mahogany-brown color with reddish highlights. Crystal clear. Moderate tan head, well-formed, settled slowly. Quite attractive. (3/3)
Flavor: Rich, intense flavors of chocolate, toffee, caramel and brown sugar. Medium hop flavor: earthy and spicy. Noticeable alcohol, especially in the finish. Medium-low fruity esters. Slightly acrid roasted flavors linger into the finish, mingling and accentuating the moderately-high hop bitterness. The bitterness seems lower until the aftertaste. Aftertaste is of roasted malt, alcohol and hop bitterness—a bit rough and unpleasant. Flavors are not well blended yet. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body makes it a bit difficult to drink. Medium-high carbonation. Some grainy astringency with a hot alcohol finish suggesting that the sample is young. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Has potential but seems young; let it age to see if the alcohol and roast flavors will smooth out and blend. At 7.2 percent ABV, this can cellar for a while. Wonderful malt and sugar flavors but hops are in a supporting role. Perhaps “India” suggests a certain strength rather than hop profile. I was expecting an IPA with chocolate malt based on the name. Interesting idea, but a bit thick and rough. Let it age and then try it with Kansas City-style BBQ pork ribs. (7/10)
