Fabulously hybridized coffee-infused brown ale skirts imperial stout and mocha porter comparisons thanks to nuttier pale malt dryness overriding dark-roasted chocolate fudging. Cold-brewed One Village espresso roast gets mixed with post-fermented Kimberton coffee to climactic perfection as its sharp hop char lingeringly enlivens the creamy java theme. Hazelnut coffee, espresso, vanilla and maple molasses tones reinforce the nutty bottom. Serve to pale ale lovers sitting on the fence about coffee-flavored brews.

On tap at Biggie’s Clam Bar in Ramsey, ill-defined brown ale loads candi-sugared Belgian yeast and caramel-roasted dried fruiting into winter warmer-like spicing. Lack of stylistic nuttiness is stifling. Distant chestnut, pecan and praline tones lack luster. In the midst, sharp peppery hops contrast black cherry, bruised banana and fig notions as well as treacly vanilla sweetness. In the bottle, wintry copper-cleared moderation layers sporadic holiday-spiced caramel, toffee and chocolate sweetness above Belgian-sugared dried fruiting as well as roasted wheat malting. Fizzy carbolics deaden peppery yeast impact and subtle raisin-fig-plum conflux, leaving phenol hop astringency in its wake.