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Hopskeller Brewing Company – (Pre-Release) Northern English Brown Ale

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Brewery: Hopskeller Brewing Company
Location Waterloo, IL
Style Northern English Brown Ale
 ABV 5.76%
 IBUs 26
Release Information On draft at the newly opened Hopskeller Brewing Company

 

Smooth brown ale that highlights the caramel, chocolate and nutty flavors of roasted English barley. A must-try for the craft beer aficionado and the everyday drinker!

 

Justin:

Aroma - Grainy malts with caramel and chocolate are incredibly present. Just when those leave, bread crust, faint nuttiness and even a bit of roastiness/coffee show up. While the hops aren't very big on the aroma, they're doing their job because this one doesn't smell overly sweet for being so grain heavy.
Appearance - The beer is a slightly hazy, medium-deep amber. The foam that sits on top is thick and creamy, leaving a dense layer of lacing inside the glass. 
Flavor - Most of the flavors mimic the aroma, only some are now larger than they were on the nose. The nuttiness and bread crust are the most intense and the caramel isn't far behind. The chocolate and coffee are minimal but play very well with the other flavors to give this beer some fun complexity. The balance is great and the hops that are there are slightly spicy. 
Mouthfeel - The body is almost full and the carbonation is just above medium. The beer coats your tongue but is lively enough to not stick around once you swallow each sip.
Overall Impression - If you're like most people, you haven't had this beer. That's not because it's one of those hard to get, limited edition brews, but because Hopskeller opens their doors for the first time today, 9/23. This is a seldom seen style and this particular version is delicious and extremely drinkable. If you happen to be at the brewery, try pairing this with any of the sausages on their menu because the flavors of both will really pop.

 

Pre-Release (no rating)
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Mouthfeel
  • Overall

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Justin Phelps

Justin Phelps

Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.

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