Brunette Bombshell - 5x5 Brewing Co. Review

We headed back to the Veteran brewers out of Mission, Texas, for our final brown ale to warm us through the end of February. And what a warmer it is.

Brunette Bombshell from 5x5 Brewing fits its name with a 8.68% ABV and 87 IBUs. It is a malty sweet bomb in a can adorned with a beautiful woman relaxing back on said bomb. 5x5 labels this beer as a Honey Brown Ale with “smooth honey, hints of chocolate and caramel/toffee flavors. With aromas of blueberry, rose blossoms and citrus.”

It brings the fury with high ABV and IBUs and some interesting tasting notes, so let’s see how this beauty measures.

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--It is a bit lighter than most brown ales, and slightly cloudy. It created a light brown head that diminished quickly.

• On the Nose--Berry, rose, and citrus as advertised. I also get a touch of honey. The aroma is unique for a brown, leaning less toward dark malt flavors and more toward fruity hops. It reminds me a bit of beers that have been brewed with adjuncts like juniper. Very intriguing.

• On the Palate--The first wash over the tongue is rich with a floral honey flavor, to be quickly followed by a gentle chocolate, and an even gentler toffee flavor. A bready flavor serves as the foundation for all of it, and the beer has a wonderfully dry finish. The floral flavors follow throughout and add a nice contrast to the chocolate and toffee notes from the dark malts. The high ABV provides a nice zing and warms the cheeks, just like a real brunette bombshell would.

Verdict:

This is a unique brown ale and worth the try. It is balanced quite nicely between the dark malts and honey and floral flavors which distracts a bit from the high ABV. It is sippable and fun to drink after a cold day of working in the winter chill. Check out 5x5’s Brunette Bombshell or any of their other offerings if you haven’t. They are a Veteran-owned and operated brewery in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and they have events all the time at their taproom in Mission. Maybe we’ll see you there.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew