It's #FloridaBeerFridayEvery Friday, we take a look at a beer brewed in the Sunshine State, giving analysis to the burgeoning craft-beer movement of Florida.
This week, we're taking our eyes north to the land of Jacksonville and surrounding communities with a look at Nut Sack Double Brown Ale by Engine 15 Brewing Co.
This Jacksonville Beach brewery, which recently opened an expanded production brewery in downtown Jacksonville, has been brewing beer in northern Florida for years. Until now, distribution barely made it to South Florida, where there are currently a few offerings available.
See also: Florida Beer: American Wild Ale From Brewzzi
Nut Sack is touted as a Double Brown Ale, which, stylistically speaking, means that there will usually be a big malt presence, though, as opposed to a barleywine, the flavors will stick to some traditionally "brown ale" characteristics like toffee, caramel, and possibly some butterscotch.
The label on this beer is one of those labels where I wonder how it got through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's labeling requirements. There is a squirrel holding a small sack with two large textured "nuts" along with a banner that asks, "Give our nut sack a taste." Yuuup, good times.
The beer pours a dark brown with a small cap of foams that lingers like a good espresso. Aromas of caramel, hazelnuts, and some chocolate-covered banana (well-played!) dominate. The body is thick like an airy fudgesicle and holds on to some of those pudding-like flavors.
In addition, there is a lot of banana-like flavor coming through, and that probably has something to do with the fact that the last four ounces of this 22-ounce bomber was a slurry of yeast and trub particles. The bottle doesn't declare bottle conditioning, so it's a mildly puzzling occurrence. Unfiltered indeed.
At 8.5 percent alcohol by volume, Nut Sack has enough cajones that a single bomber of the beer would be enough for a session.
Nut Sack Double Brown Ale is available in 22-ounce bottles.
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Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Instagram.
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