Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Bufflehead Brown Ale by Kishwaukee Brewing Co,

American Brown Ale | Year-Round | USA

By Randy Scorby

Judges Rating: 97.00
Aroma: 23.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 39.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 19.00

Bufflehead Brown Ale, from Kishwaukee Brewing Company, is being evaluated as an American Brown Ale (Category 19C) from the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Bufflehead Brown Ale pours deep brown color with bright ruby highlights and near brilliant clarity. The creamy tan head forms a low, thick stand of fine bubbles on the beer. The aroma greets you with a rich and complex blend of bittersweet chocolate, light toast, and just a hint of dark roast coffee. As the beer opens up, a light grainy base malt character emerges, along with a light and fresh herbal hop aroma, light berry esters, and a pleasant hit of caramel.  
The flavor features a prominent and rich malty profile of bittersweet chocolate, light toast, medium light caramel and light nuttiness. The low herbal hop flavor surfaces mid-palate, along with a firm but smooth hop bitterness that lingers into a medium dry finish. No fermentation esters are noted in the flavor. The medium body, light creaminess on the palate and moderate carbonation offer structure to the beer. Light alcohol warming rounds out the profile.
Bufflehead Brown Ale checks all of the boxes for an exceptional American Brown Ale. The overall malt character is rich and complex, but has enough hop presence to offer balance and intrigue. If you are a fan of the Brown Ale style, seek this one out. If you are not, seek it out anyway, you will be happy you did.