Nectar Ales – Humboldt Brown

I picked up a bottle of Nectar Ales Humboldt Brown (5.7% IBU and 40 IBU) as part of a mixed 6 pack a couple of weeks ago.  This is an ale made with Hemp seeds and was originally title Hemp Ale.  The Hemp seeds supposedly give the ale more of an herb flavor.  I like brown ales and I was looking forward to Humboldt Brown.   

American Brown Ale - http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/73 – BeerAdvocate

Appearance – Humboldt Brown pours brown / dark amber and is clear – you can see through it – with a nice two-finger head.

Aroma –Roast malt and nutty – very little hop influence detected.

Taste – Tastes like a brown ale with some nuttiness and a touch of bitterness and herbs at the end.

Overall – B- - Humboldt Brown is not a bad beer, but it is not a great beer.  I am a big fan of Avery’s Ellie’s Brown Ale and for me this is the standard to compare other brown ales. 

Website description – “Affiliated with Nectar Ales experience through shared origins at Humboldt Brewing Company, Hemp Ale is a one-of-a-kind brew that boasts and incredibly rich profile and unique herb-accented flavor that is attributable to the incorporation of hemp seeds into the brewing process.  A wonderful brown ale full of complexity Hemp Ale is great with food or by itself.  American hops create a perfect balance to the darker malts used in this brew.  This brown ale is the Gold medal winner for first place in its category at both the 1999 and 2000 California State Fair Craft Brewing Competitions.”

URL – http://www.nectarales.com/