Beer of the Month: Maduro Brown from Cigar City Brewing

How many Brown Ales have you tried that gave you the "Wow" factor?  I can't think of too many myself.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the style that's way under appreciated. But even I must admit a good Brown Ale is more like "background music" than a beer that commands your immediate attention.

Maduro Brown from Cigar City Brewing is that rare exception.  I picked this one up a local supermarket last month during the family vacation.  I know Cigar City makes a bunch of special releases that beer geeks gush over but really wasn't expecting that much from this Brown Ale in their regular line-up.   I just figured it would go well with the burgers we were having for dinner.  It caught my notice at first sip and would go well with just about anything.

It's rich, silky smooth, full of complex flavors of toffee and chocolate.   Cigar City adds flaked oats into the grain bill to give it that wonderful texture and tie all the great roasted flavors together. One of the best Brown Ales I've ever had and another good reason to go back to Florida.