Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Flossmoor Station's Pullman Brown Ale


Beer: Flossmoor Station's Pullman Brown Ale
Brewery Location: Flossmoor, IL
Beer Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 6%



I was recently at Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery just outside of Chicago in Flossmoor, Illinois. I've been wanting to visit for a very long time, and they even won best brewpub and best small brewer in American at the GABF in 2006. When I heard they were bottling their selections over at the Flossmoor blog I really wanted to visit even more. I really enjoyed the meal I had there, and the people I was with also really enjoyed their meals. I had several selections from the bar that were also very good. I didn't bring my camera, so I didn't write any notes from those beers, but I remember Panama Limited Red Ale being very good as well as the station master wheat were well crafted and above average beers. I had to get a few beers to go with me though and this is my first review of those beers.

I am first struck by how nice of a bottle this beer comes in. I like the screen printed bottles from Alesmith and Stone, but I think this is probably the nicest bomber I've seen in quite some time, and you can tell some quality production went into these, but I am curious if plans are to keep them this nice as the bottling run increases.

Pullman brown pours a very dark brown, almost black, with brown highlights around the edges. It is capped by a small mocha colored head that left some spotty lacing on my pint glass. The nose is quite vibrant for a brown ale and is full of molasses, cocoa, hazelnuts, and chocolate. I am quite impressed with this nose. The flavor profile is equally as robust and pleasant as the nose. Roasted malt character upfront with a bitter chocolate finish with a slight coffee characteristic to it as well. It is almost porter or stout like in the flavor profile, but a little softer. The mouthfeel is really rich with medium carbonation with no alcohol present on the mouthfeel. The drinkability is really nice for this beer, and I certainly wish I could get more of this beer. I would make a session beer out of this in the winter.

I think this is an outstanding brown ale. It has the characteristics of an American brown, but has one of the best noses and flavor profiles I've ever had in a brown ale. If you are in Chicago or traveling there Flossmoor Station is well worth your time, and if you find this beer I would highly recommend it. Anyone want to send me some more of it?

Cheers!
Matt

7 comments:

Erik Huntoon said...

I have never had the opportunity to get to Flossmoor Station but I think I need to correct that soon. What kind of price do they get for those bombers? They sure do look nice!

Matt said...

the brown ale was 5.99, the station master wheat was 6.99, and the IPA was either 8.99 or 9.99. Each of their IPA's come in the same bottle, the color wax on them denotes which IPA they actually are. I will write more about that when I open that one up soon.

I've heard they are available in some Chicago liquor stores, but I cannot confirm that.

FS, is worth the trip if you are heading up in that general direction.

rodney said...

We've got the wheat, brown and a couple variations of the IPA in our fridge now, and no you can't have them. :)

You are correct about the liquor stores. I don't know which ones that includes, but they are being distributed in Chicago.

Matt said...

they only had the blue cap IPA when I was there, and tried another on tap, I need to get some more of those.

Matt said...

didnt realize I put my email twice, I sounded like an advertisement. ha.

Matt said...

thank you Matt. I took out your email so you don't get any bot mail or anything. I kept a copy of it in my gmail account. I will probably take you up on that in the near future once I work through a bunch of other beer.

Is there something in trade you would like for it?

Matt said...

I am sure we can work something out with a trade. Nothing crazy, since I can literally walk three blocks and pick some of this stuff up. Email me when you are ready for some Flossmoor!