REVIEW: Sixpoint Brownstone

Try as I might, I'm just not ready for fall seasonals. I'm really not ready for fall period. I'm still in summer mode. Even though I spent last night at Nippert Stadium watching my Bearcats kick the hell out of Pitt and in doing so keep the River City Rivalry trophy in Clifton for a good long while, it somehow doesn't really feel like football season yet, like fall yet. Part of that is still because it's quite warm out. Part of that is because the Reds' magic number is down to 17. But whatever the reason, I'm not quite ready to get into Oktoberfests and pumpkin ales just quite yet. Don't worry, they're coming. I've got quite a few already in the fridge waiting for the first evening with a palpable chill in the air. In the meantime, let's take a look at the newest canned offering from what has become one of my favorite breweries, Brownstone, from Sixpoint. An American Brown Ale checking in at 6% ABV and a rather hefty 45 IBUs. To the beer!

Brownstone pours a beautiful chestnut brown. Rich and robust looking with deep ruby highlights. A thick layer of dense, bubbly, tan head caps the brew and leaves some great lacing on the way down.

The aromas are led by a nutty roasty malt with hints of dark coffee. Suprisingly hoppy with hints of citrus and pine. Quite lovely with an unexpected complexity.

Brownstone is medium bodied, malty, rich, and also quite crisp. Nutty, caramel/ molasses malt sweetness comes out swing first backed by some bitter roast coffee flavors. Don't think though that this is a big malt bomb of a brown ale. This is a brown ale fit for a hop head. Big dank, tart, citrusy hop flavor with a nice bitter punch balance out the malt and add to a great complexity. The bitterness does not, however, linger on the finish too much. Brownstone finishes very crisp and clean. The hoppiness really sells this beer for me. You guys know I love the hop, and the recipe Sixpoint has come up with for this one skews almost towards an India brown ale type quality.

Sixpoint does it again. This is a lovely and incredibly enjoyable beer. Malty, roasted richness contrasted against crisp bitter hops. Check this one out.

HD