I'm not nuts about this one
Written: Nov 26 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Predictable and inoffensive
Cons: Expensive, predictable and inoffensive
The Bottom Line: -
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| carnut2k4's Full Review: Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Nut Brown Ale |
In my ongoing quest to sample different and unique beers I have come across some really great and interesting brews. Today's sample was no exception. At my local liquor store I happened upon Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale. I've already read and heard many great things about this brewer so I eagerly bought a bottle and took it home.
The Bottle
A clear glass bottle with the rough dimensions of an Arizona Iced Tea bottle is what this beer is packaged in. 1 pt, 2.7 fl oz or 550 ml is the volume. At $3.29 this definitely is a little more expensive than average. Not much info is provided on the attractive gold and burgundy label. It's brewed in the oldest brewery in Yorkshire and has been produced since 1758. ABV is a low 5 percent. The brewer itself does not operate a website but the importer does and it is listed below.
The Pour
This beer pours a deep brassy brown. A look that tells you this will be a robust and hearty beer, but looks can be deceiving. A one inch thick, creamy tan head sits on top. Within a minute or two this has dissipated to surface lace which will leave a nice thick coating on the side of the glass as you drink. Holding the glass up to a light shows the same color but it also throws off hints of red.
The Nose
I found the nose surprisingly weak. Sure, the usual malty aroma is there but I'm searching for the nutty texture that the name suggests. I find it just barely - but I'm not sure if it was there if I just wanted it to be there. Really not what I expected at all.
The Taste
Maybe I'm coming down with a cold. I taste almost nothing. Mouth-feel is weak carbonation. I get a slightly malty taste with some roasted coffeeish notes. As I search I can discern a non-descript nutty flavor. The website suggests it is a hazelnut flavor. OK. If they say so. I find virtually no aftertaste. A little bit of hops. Very little. Overall this is not what I expected.
Fifteen Minutes In The Future
Ok I was quick to judge. Actually I was quick to drink. The website does suggest a 55 degree serving temperature and I drank this straight out of my fridge which meant it was down around forty. My second glass (it's a big bottle) was a somewhat different experience. The nose has opened up a bit and now I know the nutty aroma is not just in my head. Much more of an impression is left on the palate. The roasted nutty flavor (hazelnut if they insist) is prevalent, and pretty good. I wish I let this sit for a few minutes before drinking the first half. Tough lesson learned.
Random Thoughts
I enjoyed this beer for what it was. To me it's an Ale that you drink slowly after dinner. This isn't one to chug at a baseball game or at a barbecue. I feel like I should be enjoying this at a pub with some friends. The website lists this as a vegan brew which has been given the stamp of approval by the Vegan Society (?). It never occurred to me that a beer could offend a vegan, or for that matter that a vegan would drink a beer. You learn great things when researching beer. Of the Ales I've had in my time this isn't the greatest nor is it the worst. To me it's middle of the road. I did enjoy it but given a choice I'd probably pass this up in favor of a Newcastle. Even after the flavor opened up it still wasn't quite what I was hoping for. Some words I would use to describe this Ale would be; mellow, inoffensive, unremarkable and anticlimactic. In the end I'll still recommend this brew and if a buddy puts one in front of me at a pub I'll drink it - but that's the last $3.29 they're getting from me.
www.merchantduvin.com
Recommended:
Yes
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carnut2k4
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Member: Jason
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Muscle Shoals has got The Swampers
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