Beer Spotlight!

Commonwealth Northumbria

$13.99 for the 16oz can four-pack
English Style Brown Ale

The most famous beer from Northumbria in Great Britain is the Newcastle Brown Ale. Virginia Beach’s Commonwealth Brewing Company clearly means to do their take on that classic with this brew. Challenge acknowledged!

The Northumbria is a downright fruity brown ale. Commonwealth talks about “notes of rich chocolate, raisin, coffee and sweet caramel flavor profiles,” and we get all of that except for the “rich chocolate” and “coffee.” (We say it’s more like “milk chocolate.”) The malt mixing with the hops promotes a Malic acidity. That’s right. “Malic” as in “apples” — this brown is downright cider-like, and we’re not sorry about it. It’s elegant and refreshing.

Maybe now we’ll have to get some Newcastle Brown for comparison. ;)