Southbound Brewing Company’s Rockin' Chair is an interpretation of a Double British Brown ale, a style that is quite difficult to find commercially.
This ale has a deep brown color with a fair, off-white stand of head. The aroma exhibits a toasted brown, caramel and roasty malt character along with a touch of sharpness that seems metallic in nature. The initial flavor impact delivers a moderate level of brown and base malt flavors with a light caramel sweetness, but the malt flavor thins out from the middle through to the finish – surprisingly so, considering the base style. There is moderate hop bitterness that becomes more evident after the malt flavor subsides. The metallic note that was hinted at in the aroma comes through in the flavor at this point as well. The body of this brew also seems quite thin.
This is an interesting brew, but the lack of malt complexity, something that is a hallmark in a brew of this style, is quite unfortunate.