Samuel Smith churns out such world class brews is it any surprise this may be the best nut brown ale on the market? Rich mocha malt penetration, sweet yeast resonation and enduring chestnut finish retain crisp distinction. Maple-sugared honey-sapped hazelnut, pecan, and almond detected at backend. A shade lighter and less creamy than Sam Smith’s Oatmeal Stout.

Not to be confused with brewery’s altogether fine “Hex” Nut Brown, later version brings more pronounced dark caramel essence to black chocolate richness and well-integrated honey thickness. Aromatic tobacco sweetness and chalky cocoa tinge furthermore differentiate convincing new-sprung interpretation.

Sappy molasses sweetness embittered by salty dark-roasted phenol hop splotch as mocha-malted cola nut, Brazil nut, walnut and pecan illusions splurge. Avoidance of expected nuttiness at lackluster charred grain finish kills the mood. Go with Santa Fe’s similarly styled Penetentiary Porter instead.

Pedestrian lightweight retains soft buttery nuttiness to nondescript soapy finish. Brewery closed due to fire 2004.

Only a hint of undistinguished malt sweetness shines through bland, inefficient nut brown. Neither dark nor heavy enough, and lacking nutty assertiveness.

Dank grain aroma and unappealing ill-defined metallic nuttiness knock down initial peat-smoked promise substantially. Barley-roasted coffee bittering and astringent plum-cherry smidgen add to extremely dry-hopped mocha-malted finish. Supposed rugged ‘Irish’ styling goes unnoticed.

Refreshingly sweet aroma, sharp fruited malting and nut-grained harshness consume chocolate-roasted front end. But dainty hop moderation, cigarette tobacco dryness and phenol cherry souring spoiled by murky bitter tea finish.

Creamier, nuttier, and more bitter than most in its class, this dry coffee-daubed medium body is full of fire but indistinct compared to Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale. Astringently coarse pecan-walnut finish retains smoky mocha residue.

Mild tawny-hued auburn-highlighted dry body squanders almond-cashew nuttiness and brown-sugared hazenut liqueur reminder for wood burnt faux-pas. Mild lactose creaminess foiled by itinerant sour mocha malt edge, finishing oily.

Translucent chestnut-hued light body with caramelized mocha current loses some oomph by dry macadamia-almond-butternut-induced finish, seeming too watery, oily, and reserved for its style. Creamy maple-sapped malts depart just as dirty vegetal graininess stalls interest.

Fine black chocolate-y walnut-macadamia theme enforced by caramelized maple-sapped vanilla latte creaminess. Though too light and watery to compete with serious nut brown challengers, understated butterscotch appeal suits lighter tastes well. (Now brewed in Saratoga Springs, New York).

Bitter hop-charred oiling merges with indistinct chocolate-caramel malting for deep brown-hued disappointment. Unfortunately, its ‘nut’ essence is nowhere to be found. Docked for false advertising.