Newcastle Brown Ale

Product of: United Kingdom

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Colloquially known as ‘Newkie Brown’, Newcastle Brown Ale was launched in 1927 by Colonel Jim Porter with UK sales peaking in the early 1970s. The beers most important market is now the USA. Originaly brewed in Newcastle, as the name would suggest, brewing moved to Tadcaster in 2010.

Worryingly packaged in a clear glass bottle, the blue star logo with the arched Tyne Bridge was introduced in 1928, the year the bridge was opened and a year after the beer was launched. The five points of the star represent the five founding breweries of Newcastle.

In 2000, the word ‘ale’ was removed from the beer’s UK front label due to a belief that the term alienated Britain youth market so was costing sales. The original Newcastle Brown Ale name was reinstated with no fanfare in 2004.

Another significant change to the beer was announced in January 2014 when owners Heineken announced that they had removed caramel colouring with roasted malt now giving the ale its familiar dark hue. The change came in wake of a campaign by Vani Hari on her influential foodbabe.com.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 15/12/2012

Appearance:

(sample bottle BB 31-May-13) Clear, deep brown amber with quickly diminishing off-white head.

Aroma:

Soggy white baguette crust, caramel and floral scents.

Taste:

Toasted bready maltiness with mild hops, faint orange zest, floral notes and hints of liquorice.

Aftertaste:

Short, non-descript finish with lingering sweetness.

Overall:

While lacking real character it's hard to hate this iconic ale.