What Can Brown Do For You?

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Just posted a review of an incredible Brown Ale on beerphilosopher.com - Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale is not your typical boring boring brown! Read the entire article here.
Come back and let me know what you think of this beer and about brown ales in general, okay?

[Christopher Garthwaite]

I'm really not a big fan of brown ales, but I heard DFH is a great brewery. I will have to pick some up while Im back on the east coast for winter break

[Rob DeNunzio]

I knew that would get a response! ;) Honestly, I'm just taking the mick out of you. But whereas it's obvious that you totally knew going into your review that you'd be writing up an "extreme" example of the style, I think the real challenge is clear: find a true session brown that the Philosopher deems worthy!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Rob, funny you should bring this up. I wrote what I wrote knowing full well that DFH Indian Brown is unique among brown ales (at least those I've tried). I also agree it's sort of a question of comparing apples to oranges, as it were. It wasn't my intention to come across in any way disingenuous in my comparing the DFH version to other well known "sessionable" browns. This is an interesting point! There is A LOT in a name, obviously. In fact, I think the page on the DFH website alludes to the fact that this is really a cross between a brown ale, an IPA and something else ... bottom line, I totally agree with you ... NOT a fair comparison. None the less, it's called what it's called and I reviewed it as such ... maybe an Imperial Brown? I don't know. Anyway, thanks for pointing this out and affirming to me that you, my friend, know your stuff!

[Rob DeNunzio]

So I've got to wonder... and this is probably a post in its own, but: What's in a name? This "brown ale" pushes the saccharometer to 7.2% abv, which is well outside of what a session brown would be (hence the "Indian", I'm guessing). It's a strong ale, at the very least, and is toeing the line into barleywine territory. Or is it a "American Strong Ale", a la Stone's Arrogant Bastard? I *love* DFH - don't get me wrong. But could you really put this beer (which I've never tasted, mind you!) in a competition with peers? What are its peers? Certainly not Newcastle, Rogue's Hazelnut Nectar, Samuel Smith's, or Pete's Wicked Ale.