Lost Coast Brewing Co. -- Downtown Brown

Lost Coast Brewing Co.'s Downtown Brown ale is "a smooth, full-bodied nut brown ale, lightly hopped with a hint of roasted and crystal malts."

 5.0% ABV

Review:

This beer pours a very clear medium brown color with rosewood highlights. The head consists only of a khaki ring of foam. The aroma is a complex coffee-roast-crystal malt mix that is very inviting. Strangely, the impression after the first sip is that the beer is quite sweet and malty with crystal and chocolate malts dominating-- but the second sip, and every sip thereafter, is nicely balanced with a solid hoppiness. (This dramatic difference in each sip's flavors is a first for me!) The hop sensation seems to linger well after each sip, but not in a biting way... more of a coating in your mouth. As for the nuttiness of a "nut brown," well, I can just barely perceive a slight hazelnut-like note. I think I'd just call this a brown ale.

(Side Note: Check out the website... I think somebody likes black lights and pakalolo.)

Overall Impression: 

I've really got to get over my hangup about weird labels-- especially if those labels come from the part of California where everyone seems to grow pakalolo and brew delicious beer. This is a solid beer. The flavor adventure it will take you on is worth experiencing!

Grade:B+

Barrel Man Says,

"Complex."

(bottle purchased at Liquor Collection)