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11A. Mild
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11B. Southern English Brown
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11C. Northern English Brown Ale
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| OG |
1.030 - 1.038 |
1.035 - 1.042 |
1.040 - 1.052 |
| FG |
1.008 - 1.013 |
1.011 - 1.014 |
1.008 - 1.013 |
| IBU |
10 - 25 |
12 - 20 |
20 - 30 |
| SRM |
12 - 25 |
19 - 35 |
12 - 22 |
| ABV |
2.8 - 4.5% (most are 3.1 - 3.8%) |
2.8 - 4.2% |
4.2 - 5.4% |
| Aroma |
Low to moderate malt aroma, and may have some fruitiness. The malt
expression can take on a wide range of character, which can include caramelly,
grainy, toasted, nutty, chocolate, or lightly roasted. Little to no hop
aroma. Very low to no diacetyl. |
Malty-sweet, often with a rich, caramel or toffee-like character. Moderately
fruity, often with notes of dark fruits such as plums and/or raisins. Very
low to no hop aroma. No diacetyl. |
Light, sweet malt aroma with toffee, nutty and/or caramel notes. A
light but appealing fresh hop aroma (UK varieties) may also be noticed.
A light fruity ester aroma may be evident in these beers, but should not
dominate. Very low to no diacetyl. |
| Appearance |
Copper to dark brown or mahogany color. A few paler examples (medium
amber to light brown) exist. Generally clear, although is traditionally
unfiltered. Low to moderate off-white to tan head. Retention may be poor
due to low carbonation, adjunct use and low gravity. |
Light to dark brown, and can be almost black. Nearly opaque, although
should be relatively clear if visible. Low to moderate off-white to tan
head. |
Dark amber to reddish-brown color. Clear. Low to moderate off-white
to light tan head. |
| Flavor |
Generally a malty beer, although may have a very wide range of malt-
and yeast-based flavors (e.g., malty, sweet, caramel, toffee, toast, nutty,
chocolate, coffee, roast, vinous, fruit, licorice, molasses, plum, raisin).
Can finish sweet or dry. Versions with darker malts may have a dry, roasted
finish. Low to moderate bitterness, enough to provide some balance but
not enough to overpower the malt. Fruity esters moderate to none. Diacetyl
and hop flavor low to none. |
Deep, caramel-like malty sweetness on the palate and lasting into the
finish. May have a moderate dark fruit complexity. Low hop bitterness.
Hop flavor is low to non-existent. Little or no perceivable roasty or bitter
black malt flavor. Moderately sweet finish with a smooth, malty aftertaste.
Low to no diacetyl. |
Gentle to moderate malt sweetness, with a nutty, lightly caramelly
character and a medium-dry to dry finish. Malt may also have a toasted,
biscuity, or toffee-like character. Medium to medium-low bitterness. Malt-hop
balance is nearly even, with hop flavor low to none (UK varieties). Some
fruity esters can be present; low diacetyl (especially butterscotch) is
optional but acceptable. |
| Mouth feel |
Light to medium body. Generally low to medium-low carbonation. Roast-based
versions may have a light astringency. Sweeter versions may seem to have
a rather full mouthfeel for the gravity. |
Medium body, but residual sweetness may give a heavier impression.
Low to moderately low carbonation. |
Medium-light to medium body. Medium to medium-high carbonation.
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| Overall Impression |
A light-flavored, malt-accented beer that is readily suited to drinking
in quantity. Refreshing, yet flavorful. Some versions may seem like lower
gravity brown porters. |
A luscious, malt-oriented brown ale, with a caramel, dark fruit complexity
of malt flavor. May seem somewhat like a smaller version of a sweet stout
or a sweet version of a dark mild. |
Drier and more hop-oriented that southern English brown ale, with a
nutty character rather than caramel. |
| History |
May have evolved as one of the elements of early porters. In modern
terms, the name "mild" refers to the relative lack of hop bitterness (i.e.
less hoppy than a pale ale, and not so strong). Originally, the "mildness"
may have referred to the fact that this beer was young and did not yet
have the moderate sourness that aged batches had. Somewhat rare in England,
good versions may still be found in the Midlands around Birmingham. |
English brown ales are generally split into sub-styles along geographic
lines. Southern English (or "London-style") brown ales are darker, sweeter,
and lower gravity than their Northern cousins. |
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| Comments |
Most are low-gravity session beers, although some versions may be made
in the stronger (4%+) range for export, festivals, seasonal and/or special
occasions. Generally served on cask; session-strength bottled versions
don't often travel well. A wide range of interpretations are possible. |
Increasingly rare. Some consider it a bottled version of dark mild.
|
English brown ales are generally split into sub-styles along geographic
lines. |
| Ingredients |
Pale English base malts (often fairly dextrinous), crystal and darker
malts should comprise the grist. May use sugar adjuncts. English hop varieties
would be most suitable, though their character is muted. Characterful English
ale yeast. |
English pale ale malt as a base with a healthy proportion of darker
caramel malts and often some roasted malts. Moderate to high carbonate
water would appropriately balance the dark malt acidity. English hop varieties
are most authentic, though with low flavor and bitterness almost any type
could be used. |
English mild ale or pale ale malt base with caramel malts. May also
have small amounts darker malts (e.g., chocolate) to provide color and
the nutty character. English hop varieties are most authentic. Moderate
carbonate water. |
| Commercial Examples |
Moorhouse Black Cat, Highgate Mild, Brain's Dark, Banks's Mild, Coach
House Gunpowder Strong Mild, Gale's Festival Mild, Woodforde's Norfolk
Nog, Goose Island PMD Mild |
Mann's Brown Ale (bottled, but not available in the US), Tolly Cobbold
Cobnut Nut Brown Ale
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Newcastle Brown Ale, Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale, Tolly Cobbold Cobnut
Special Nut Brown Ale, Goose Island Hex Nut Brown Ale
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