Yankee Brew News Archive

Yankee Brew Reviews: McNeill's Brewery, Brattleboro, Vermont

Originally Published: 07/94

Beer: Oatmeal Stout

Brewer: McNeill's Brewery, Brattleboro, Vermont

Appearance: Black; tan, compact head.

Aroma: Fruity, slightly buttery; distinct oatmeal aroma; some roasted malt with slight acrid note.

Taste: Smooth, silky, medium body, plenty of roastiness and malt sweetness, backed by firm hops and pleasant background of oats; low carbonation but somewhat prickly on tongue; dry, dark malt finish.

Summary: Robust and enjoyable, this beer is well-made and has the distinctive characteristics of the oatmeal stout style. It holds it own with the other popular oatmeal stouts of New England, such as those offered by the New England Brewing Company and Boston Beer Works.

Beer: Firehouse Amber Ale

Brewer: McNeill's Brewery, Brattleboro, Vermont

Appearance: Deep copper color with moderately retentive head.

Aroma: Big, fruity, malty nose with hops in background.

Taste: Medium bodied, malty, with hop backing to sweep the palate for a clean and balanced finish.

Summary: Fresh, pleasant session ale in the (emerging) American amber tradition. McNeill's beers are unfiltered and the bottles are freshness-dated, and it shows in their profile--hearty and full of character.

Beer: Professor Brewhead's Brown Ale

Brewer: McNeill's Brewery, Brattleboro, Vermont

Appearance: Copper to light brown in color; low, long-lasting head.

Aroma: Malt sweetness dominates, mixed with abundant fruitiness.

Taste: Malty, with caramel note, sweet, with some hops.

Summary: Another very fresh, pleasant session ale, somewhere between a British Northern brown ale and a mild, with shades of the American brown ale style, due to a somewhat higher hopping level.