Brewery: Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA

Brewery Description: “Samuel Adams® Brown Ale is a study in flavor, body, and style. Supported by an interesting blend of malts, it shines with a deep mahogany luster. The roasted malt blend is complex and deep as well, with notes of biscuit, nut and caramel. The hops are imported from Europe; Noble Spalt from Germany and citrusy Goldings, a traditional British ale hop selected from a single farm in East Kent. With moderate hop bitterness, a deep malt body, and a fruity ale fermentation character, Samuel Adams® Brown Ale satisfies the soul and doesn’t overwhelm the tongue.”

Brew Style: Brown Ale, 5.35% ABV

Recommended Glassware: Dimped mug

The Ugly Truth: God, I almost feel like a traitor. I love Sam Adams Boston Lager and the Boston Ale, but some of the ones in the Brewmaster Collection they have just don’t do it for me. Sadly, the Brown Ale is one of them. First things first though. The color is fantastic, pouring a beautiful reddish brown color with a good frothy head on it. The beer has a strong aroma of hops and malt to it. The taste is solid, with a good flavor of hops coming through and a detectable nut flavor to it. I found the taste to be somewhat resinous with the parts of taste not quite seeming to blend right for me. The finish was also sort of strange and I’m really not sure how to describe it so I won’t make the mistake of trying. All in all, not a b ad beer but not something I’d go out of my way for.

Verdict: I’m torn between giving it a 7 out of 10 and a 6 out of 10, but since the “Meh” of the 6 leans more towards my feelings about it I’ll go with that. SA Brown Ale gets a 6 out of 10 bottlecaps.