REVIEW: MadTree Gnarly Brown

I'm pretty pumped to finally be getting to some beers from the newest kid on Cincinnati's craft brewing block. I've enjoyed all of their beers on draught at various bars around town but only in the past couple of weeks have I been able to drink these beers at home. And in cans no less! I love it. And how about those cans? I'm getting a strong Entish vibe from this one. I can't imagine this brew will make me any taller though, which is kind of a shame. Although, perhaps those effects are limited to hobbits. But Gnarly Brown, a 7% ABV American brown ale, is surely a beer that would make Treebeard proud. To the beer!

Gnarly Brown pours just this side of black. Closer to a deep, dark brown though. When held to the light, lovely ruby colored highlights become evident. It's topped by two fingers of dense tan head that laces beautifully on the way down.

Plenty of roasty chocolately malt aromas waft right up from the top of the glass. Some dry toasty grain meets a light espresso character alongside a subtle spicy/ herbal hop aroma.

Gnarly Brown is full bodied and very rich. It leads with hearty robust flavors of dark chocolate and bready malt. Light notes of dark roast coffee join in as well. A bitter, resinous hop character balances things out. Bittersweet chocolate and hoppy bitterness linger through the finish.

Well, MadTree is off to a smashing start. Gnarly Brown is a hearty, robust, incredibly tasty beer that I will most definitely be coming back to time and time again. If you're in the Cincinnati are and haven't tried this one yet what the hell is wrong with you? Get on it!

HD