BJCP 2021 / 27D
Historical Beer: London Brown Ale
A sweet, low-alcohol, dark brown ale with caramel and chocolate.
- Drink fresh
- session strength
- dark color
- top fermented
- british isles
Serve: 50 to 55F, Nonic pint
OG1.120
1.033 to 1.038FG1.030
1.012 to 1.015IBU120
15 to 20SRM40
22 to 35ABV14%
2.8 to 3.6%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Caramel, toffee and a hint of chocolate
- Dark fruit sweetness
- Almost no hop
- Vague
- Sweet
- Better
- Caramel and dark fruit
- Best
- Low to moderate caramel, toffee and chocolate aroma with a hint of dark fruit, no hop
Appearance
3 pts- Dark brown
- Clear
- Tan head, thin
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Dark brown and clear
- Best
- Dark brown with ruby highlights, clear, thin tan head
Flavor
20 pts- Sweet caramel and toffee
- A little chocolate
- Low bitterness, sweet finish
- Vague
- Sweet
- Better
- Caramel and toffee, sweet finish
- Best
- Moderate caramel and toffee sweetness with light chocolate, very low bitterness, sweet smooth finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body, fuller than the strength suggests
- Low carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body and soft
- Best
- Medium body, smooth and soft, low carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Smoothness
- Roundness
Drops it
- Cloying sweetness
- Thin body
Writing tip
Check sweetness against body. Example: 'Sweet caramel with light chocolate and smooth finish. A soft dessert-like mild.'
Pour these
No examples chosen yet.
Often confused with
- 13A Dark MildDark Mild is drier and less sweet
- 16A Sweet StoutSweet Stout is stronger and roastier
Fine here
- Estery: Light dark-fruit esters are fine
Ruinous here
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale
- Astringent: Harsh tannin
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.