Brewhouse Brown Ale - Real Ale Brewing

It’s no mystery that we enjoy the delicious concoctions that come out of Real Ale brewing in Blanco, Texas. So, naturally, when we set out to review some brown ales we had to try Real Ale’s Brewhouse Brown Ale.

Real Ale says that this is one of the first three beers that launched them into the culture, and it was originally brewed in an antique store basement in downtown Blanco, Texas. That’s the kind of stuff that gets Mrs. Brew and myself excited. We love drinking and exploring our way through the towns in our area of the world, and a good story always improves a glass of beer or a cup of coffee. And with Blanco being so close to where we are, this story hits home for us.

Now, onto the stats.

Brewhouse Brown Ale touts a 5.4% ABV and 30 IBUs--right where a good brown ale should be, in our opinion. And Real Ale characterizes it as being simple and classic, well-balanced, and featuring flavors of chocolate and toffee, with a smooth, dry finish.

Simple and classic is the best place to be for brewers. If brewers can’t get those things right then they have no place to go from there. So, let’s see about our…

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--Brewhouse pours a clear dark brown with just a slight red tint when held up to the light. Little to no head formation.

• On the Nose--A lot of pleasant malt sweetness. It reminds me a wee bit of a much lighter Scotch Ale (of which Real Ale has a great one) with hints of toffee. I get just a touch of chocolate, and it smells crisp and smooth.

• On the Palate--Very smooth, and very straightforward. I definitely get the toffee and the chocolate dry finish. It is easy to drink, with good balance. I would say it has some American hops in it (maybe Cascade or Chinook? Simcoe?) which makes the balance of it so great. It is also not as sweet as it smells, which I enjoy. 

This is a beer you can drink everyday, especially after those cold work days in January. It is the epitome of a good American-style Brown Ale, and I can see why Real Ale chose it to be one of their original foundation beers. Visit them in Blanco, Texas, if you have the chance. You will not be disappointed with either Blanco or Real Ale Brewing.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew

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