The Bruery 'Autumn Maple' Belgian-Style Brown Ale. 10% abv. 15 IBU. Hazy copper-brown color. Finger of foamy tan head. Fair retention and almost no lace. Head was completely gone in three minutes. Nose of bright spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, maple. The spice bouquet blooms with the rise in temp. Front taste is malty, nutty, caramel, orange zest, cloves, allspice on the back end. Aftertaste is pumpkin, strong nutmeg, wood notes, herbal hop sustain. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, astringent.

This is an excellent brown ale that feels like it could have been extraordinary. It tasted "young" as if racked from its fermenter a couple of weeks too soon. It tastes like a delicious wort rather than a finished brew. The lack of carbonation would support this notion.

Nevertheless, this beer was yummy indeed. The spice and pumpkin (yam) come across well, starting with a complex inviting aroma, ending with a tall hot aftertaste. I was looking forward to this beer for a long time and while I am not giving this a perfect review I was certainly not disappointed. Grab a bottle. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel (in other words, a lot of yams!), this autumn seasonal is a different take on the 'pumpkin' beer style. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, maple syrup, and fermentation with our traditional Belgian yeast strain, make this bold and spicy beer perfect for a cold autumn evening. We have also created bourbon barrel aged, 100% brettanomyces and soured versions of Autumn Maple."

[source: thebruery.com]

"We don't need pumpkin in our beer! Big, bold, spicy, and oh so yummy, our delicious Brown Ale is perfect for those cold autumn nights... Our spiced Brown Ale is a unique take on a Fall seasonal, brewed with delicious yams and seasonal spices. Best enjoyed fresh, but may pleasantly evolve over time if cellared properly."

[source: bottle]

All traces of head and lace were gone within minutes.

Out Of Bounds 'Big Gun' Chocolate Maple Porter. 5.6% abv. Black color. Thin white head falls fast to a ring. Low retention. Nice lace. Nose of roasted malt, cocoa powder, faint maple. Front taste of bitter chocolate, roasted malt, dark fruit on the back end. Aftertaste of bitter cocoa, bitter herbal hops. Medium-thin body. Mouthfeel was warm, small carb.

This beer was good but not great, certainly not up to expectations. The maple was barely present in the aroma, and was absent otherwise. The chocolate was up front in the nose but took a backseat in the tasting. Simply put, it tasted like a run-of-the-mill porter, which isn't bad unless you consider the premium price for this bottle. Not recommended.

From the brewery:

"The Big Gun Granite Quarry began operation in Rocklin, CA in 1864. Named after the device that was used to fracture the rock, it supplied granite to build the California State Capital, many of San Francisco’s landmark buildings including the Transamerica Pyramid as well as the Naval Station at Pearl Harbor. We salute this hometown landmark of industry, the people who kept digging and those who hope to reclaim it. Our Big Gun blends Ecuadorian cocoa with Grade A maple syrup to compliment a well-balanced porter. The Cocoa nose and subtle maple finish will leave you digging deeper!"
[source: outofboundsbrewing.com]