Maduro Oatmeal Brown Ale
Received in trade from GPHarris, thanks for the opportunity! Pours a slightly murky deep brown with muddy garnet highlights when held to light. Large frothy beige head wont allow this pour to happen in one round. Smell is earthy and tart, not really what I was expecting. Hints of caramel, brown sugar, and chocolate lie deep beneath the surface. Tart dark fruit in the nose is a little odd. Taste is caramel malty with a dark fruity tartness that seems out of place in a brown ale. Hints of chocolate and toffee in the flavor as well. Medium to thin body with a high level of carbonation and a slick oily mouthfeel. I believe this bottle was on its way to infected before I opened it. Looking at some of the reviews this seems to be a recurring issue. As is its an OK beer with a weird tartness for the style, but if this sat in my cellar I'm sure it would have become and oud bruin or sorts. Should I ever get another I will re-rate. 09/02/2011 A generous soul provided me with a replacement bottle, apparently there was a bad batch of this beer that I am told was distributed mainly in the Jacksonville area. Pours a solid dark brown with faint reddish highlights when held to light. Smallish off white head dissipates quickly to a cap. Smell is kind of fruity with dark pitted fruit and a hint of alcohol. Slight earthy aroma and hints of chocolate round out the nose nicely. Taste is fruity and caramel with hints of chocolate and ethanol. Slightly dry finish with a lingering fruity ethanol taste. Medium body ans level of carbonation with a somewhat watery mouthfeel. This sample was certainly better than the infected version, but its still an unremarkable beer. My score will reflect this bottle.