Anchor Brekle's Brown Ale

Anchor Brewing Company's Brekle's Brown Ale is an interesting, flavorful twist on the classic brown ale. Its an all-malt brown that manages to avoid the heaviness that plagues many dark beers. It relies on a single hop, Citra, to give the blend of roasted malts a surprising depth and complexity.

Brekle's has a nutty aroma, with caramel notes and a hint of smokiness. It has a beautiful color for a brown - deep copper that is not too dark, settling nicely between an amber and a porter, a delicate trick to pull off for the brewer. Its head porous creamy, with dark brown color and nice lacing.

Its a brown ale with crisp, malty flavor - very clean with caramel, chocolate and molasses notes. As the beer warms up, the flavor takes on a burnt sugar smokiness, reminiscent of molasses. Spicy hop notes provide a undercurrent to the malty body, providing a nice balance to compliment the smoky notes. It finishes a with a touch of sweetness.

Brekle's is a refreshing brown ale with a fair amount of nuance and complexity in a rather straightforward beer style.