Why we picked it: We're dog people. There's a dog on the can. 'nuff said.
About Ellie's Brown Ale: This beautiful, deep russet brew has the sweet and somewhat nutty character of Adam Avery’s late (1992-2002) Chocolate Lab, for which it is named. Chocolate malt gives this beer a brown sugar maltiness with hints of vanilla and nuts, while subtle hopping gives it an overall drinkability that’s second to none–just like Ellie!
Beer Style: American Brown Ale
Hop Variety: Bullion, Sterling
Malt Variety: Two-row barley, Chocolate, Munich, Honey malt, Caramel 120
IBUs: 28
Color: Deep Russet
Food pairing: Roasted meats prepared with spicy and/or smoky flavors are natural pairings for
Ellie’s Brown Ale. Try ancho chili pork or beef tacos with chipotle mole.
ABV: 5.5%
Case cost: $35
*website: http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/ellies-brown-ale/
Not quite as rich and complex as the Mild Winter, but definite similarities. Less of an aftertaste with this one. I give this a slight edge over the Goose, but that might just be because I'm drinking outside on a December afternoon. Grade: 5.5/10
ReplyDeleteSince I don't eat meat I paired this with left over Chinese sprinkled with the liquid smoke and I must say the food sucked but the beer tasted good. Back to back mild Ales; it doesn't get any better than this! Loved this beer as well. No aftertaste (no bitterness) just a frothy beer with that hint of brown sugary, creamy (I guess this was the vanilla) taste. Another beer that Bolter would describe how I like my women.
ReplyDeleteRating 8.8
I don't know...I guess I don't hate it, but this isn't what beer is supposed to taste like, or look like. I poured it into a glass and it just looks odd. I should have drank straight out of the can. I give it about a 4.5...so far, this is a distant third for me, behind the Full Neslon and the Goose Island.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a dog hater
DeleteI was immediately taken with this one as the can, just above the picture of the dog, said "Lab Tested." Get it? That's the kind of "Dad" humor I appreciate. Justin has recently visited this brewery in Colorado when he was out for the Great American Beer Fest which I mention mainly because it makes us (or, well, just him) seem more legit.
ReplyDeleteWe weren't disappointed with this one. Lovely, smooth, rich, and yummy. Like I like my men.
As the can said - it was eminently quaffable (like my... never mind.).
Really liked this one. Best of the bunch so far. Nice complexity in the malt and nice finish. A-.
ReplyDeleteI am posting early tonight so Katy doesn’t come to my house and take back the remaining 20 beers of Christmas for not posting.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I do not have tails of day drinking with Puerto Ricans, so I just stick to the beer. I have never really been a fan dark beers but I really enjoyed this one. I give it a 7 out of 10.
I must be high on the nectar but did you just say you are not a fan of dating dark beards?
DeleteThere are 4 important things in life... 1) an obedient wife 2) a good dog 3) delicious beer and 4) washington sports upsets. This beer takes care of 2 of those things. I really enjoyed this beer and it's toffee/vanilla taste. It was so good I drank some of Cassandra's while she wasn't looking and I would definitely have some more if given the chance. another 10 out of 10
ReplyDeleteConsidering you don't have a dog and we all expected a Skins win we now know how your house hold is run
DeleteThis beer was fantastic. Of course I say that after day 5 of this crazy bold cold I'm experiencing. It could have been the dogs piss in the can, and I would have never known the difference. But from what I could tell, it was ok. I can't wait until we get to the real good beers and stop wasting time with this canned animal Crap. cheers friends
ReplyDeleteThis has a great taste. I like the fact that it says Lab Tested. Plus you can shotgun anything in a can. 8 out of 10
ReplyDeleteHey 2 in a row, NICE!
ReplyDeleteNot as bold and rich as Goose Island's Mild Winter Ale I agree but still have a very pleasant flavor, rich toasted chocolate aromas with a touch of caramel, vanilla and hazelnut notes. Very balanced and smooth finish. I will buy that one too!
"HB tested" and rated 6.2/10
I liked this better than I thought I would, but I still think I could only drink one before it was too chocolately and nutty. I do like the can, although wonder about the bottle in the photo above. Is it made in both?? I give it a 6/10.
ReplyDeleteI would to bring to everyone this article on Canned beer vs bottled beer: "NOT a sermon just information passing along":
ReplyDeleteThere’s nothing better than a thirst-quenching swig of cold beer on a hot summer day after an exhausting hike or an afternoon spent in the sun. Wait a minute -- that cold beer is in a can, and through years of exposure to social prejudice you believe it’s of a lesser quality than its bottled counterpart. Pondering the argument for canned beers, you come to realize that numerous craft micro brewers are now offering delicious, complex and interesting beers in cans. Your internal debate has also left you with numerous questions about canned beer: Does the aluminum can affect the taste? Does good-tasting beer store well in cans? Are there benefits to drinking a good beer from a can?
Sit back and finish your suds; we’re about to make that canned-beer experience taste just a bit better with our argument for canned beer.
the argument for canned beer
The biggest misconception about canned beer is that the aluminum can imparts a metallic taste. The insides of most cans and lids used for high-end craft beers have a sprayed coating, ensuring that there is absolutely no contact between the beer and the aluminum. Test the metal-taste theory: Pour a beer in a pint glass for a pal and have them taste it for any metal taste. Also consider that most people enjoy draft beer, which is housed in a metal keg. All you have to do is think of your canned beer as a mini keg.
As far as storage goes, canned beer might have a slight advantage over bottles in that cans actually protect beer from light and oxygen. Cans are airtight and oxygen-free. When light consistently hits a bottle of beer, it can turn skunky and ultimately undrinkable. Oxygen can also leach into a bottled beer under the bottle cap and affect the taste, which could potentially destroy the beer.
There are more than 20 microbreweries currently offering canned beers, including the wildly popular New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale introduced in cans last summer. Another brewer, Lyons, Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery, a canned-craft beer pioneer, produced 12,409 barrels in 2007. In 2008, they produced 19,000 barrels. More and more people are drinking good canned beer, and the numbers don’t lie.
There are advantages to canned beer for sure, but more importantly, how does craft canned beer taste and why try it?
Canned beer is good for the outdoors
Ashland, Oregon-based Caldera Brewing Company lists some good reasons to drink canned beer: They chill quicker than bottles; they don’t break as easy as bottles; and they are versatile for taking camping, hiking and other more extreme outdoor activities.
The argument for canned beers continues… Next Page >>
Read more: http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/wine_dine_archive_250/284_the-argument-for-canned-beer.html#ixzz2E8xEXtx4
Can't wait for the article that states nectar in beer does not affect the taste in an adverse way
DeleteI had fat tire in a can when I was out west a couple summers ago. Delicious. Of course I love Fat Tire.
DeleteThis tasted like some kind of weird chocolate milk crossed with guiness. Not particularly fond of it as I think guiness is a superior beer. I guess I could have had a couple more. For some reason I was able to get this beer really cold. Like super ice cold. Does anyone know if this beer has a lower freezing point than other beers? I think the coldness raised it a notch. I've prattled on about the coldness a bit too long haven't I?
ReplyDeleteGrade: Just buzzed
Ice, ice, baby, too cold, too cold.
ReplyDeleteI consider this beer challenge to be a success. Four for four. I'm not a huge brown ale fan but I like this. I feel like we've had about 18 Avery beers over the 24 days of beer series and they are all mighty tasty.
ReplyDeleteDespite the cute dog on the label, I am not a fan.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy brown ale, and I enjoyed this beer. On top of that, one of my two favorite dogs of all time was chocolate lab named Spatula that belonged to friends of mine(his real name was Satchel, but another friend's little kid thought his name was Spatula, and it stuck from my perspective). Spatula's favorite thing to do (I think) was to try to drown me in the lake. He loved jumping in the water with us, tennis ball in mouth, and always seemed to make a beeline for me with the intent of dragging me to the bottom. There's no hiding from a determined lab in the water. Sadly, Spatula went to doggie heaven a couple of years ago. This beer brought back some good memories.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I like chocolate with beer... or at least in my beer.
ReplyDeleteIt was average. Ok taste. However, I did have a metalic aftertast. 5 out of 10. One comment on the can post. First comment is there less less liquid in touch with the metalic surface area in a keg than a can. Second comment is it would also depend on the acidic nature of the beer. Best way to drink a beer is from the keg (or cask is even better).
ReplyDelete“Lab Tested,” and there’s a picture of a Labrador on the can. "I choo-choose you," and there’s a picture of a train---never mind. I realize I suck at critiquing beers as I find myself comparing these lesser-known brands to more widely recognized labels. With that said, I liken Ellie's Brown Ale to a slightly watered down Guinness....Although it did taste pretty good after watching a 2nd DC sports franchise knock off the defending champions on consecutive nights. Go Bullets!
ReplyDeleteLiked this beer quite a bit, obvious since the darker the beer, the more I like it. I am hesitant tomorrow night's choice. Red Nectar Ale...hmmm.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, well done with the Ralph Wiggum reference, Rick. Those never fail to deliver.
ReplyDeleteJust working through this beer now (a day late, I know). One of the better brown ales I've had. Not quite at the level of Bell's (which I really enjoy), but a solid effort from the kids at Avery. I wouldn't be disappointed at all to find this on tap the next time I'm at a bar.
I had high hopes for this beer. It was rated high at Total Wine and looked good when poured into a glass. After the first sip I was disappointed, but I would not let that stop me. I continued and half way through the beer I decided it was OK. Now that I have finished it, I have completely changed my mind and think this is a good beer. It just had to grow on me. I'm not a big fan of porters or dark beers and I think a brown ale is about as dark as I like 'em. It's not a beer that I could have a lot of, but a couple could do me just fine. Grade 7 out of 10, B-
ReplyDeleteLove the dog on the label and the puppy picture above but didn't love or even like the taste of this beer. It just wasn't tasty and I didn't want to finish it. Check minus.
ReplyDeleteplaying catch up tonight.. turns out this one is in a can... i was looking for ab ottle for waaayyy to long
ReplyDelete