Church Brew Bell Tower Brown Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

On straight tap: Hazy dark brown. Light body and flavor, but a good nuttiness. There’s a slight citrus-rind bitterness in the finish. Cask conditioned: MUCH better. The chocolate malt comes out and it improves the body 100 fold. This beer was meant to be served warm.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

I've had this one a number of times, so I can do this with certainty from memory. This brew possesses a nice deep brown color and a sizable whitish head that hangs around. the body is medium to heavy with a nice rounded mouthfeel. Flavor is like a grounded and earthy brown ale - a style I enjoy when made well; with some definite malt to it and perhaps a hint of a burnt overtone. Quite good.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Another triumph from the Church Brew Works Brewpub of Pittsburgh. Bell Tower Brown is named after the bell tower of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, which now houses the brewpub. At some point in history, the church’s bell tower burned down. At any rate, off the tap, BTB has a nice foamy brownish white head that leaves about 2 inches of lace after melting. A dark brown body (go figure) with just a glint of dark reddish color sits underneath the foam. The scents are nutty, fresh and flowery, with a nice malty aroma wafting from the glass. BTB is hearty, deep, burnt and smokey on the taste buds with notes of raisins, prunes, coffee and dark malt. A nice malt/hop balance exists, but the malt quality really comes out with Bell Tower Brown. A low-level hop bitterness is also present with a nice, slightly dry aftertaste. Again, if you are coming to Pittsburgh, go to the Church Brew Works, pray to the sacred vats and beer gods, and enjoy this one! You won't be disappointed.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Pours with a dark brown body topped by a medium thick head with good lace left on the glass. Sweet nutty malt aroma with a very slight hoppiness. Sweet and slightly fruity malt flavor with a good maltiness and hints of hops. Medium bodied and smooth with a touch of dryness.