Years ago (1996?) Samuel Adams had a contest for best home brews. One of the winners was a "hazelnut brown ale". I absolutely loved that beer. Needless to say it was for a “limited time” and boy did they mean it. It was around just a few months and POOF it was gone. That extremely long boring story leads me to say, from what I can remember this as close to that beer I have every tasted and yes I love it. I think it is getting low marks because of the ties to Miller/Coors but I think its wonderful and pray it will be around for years to come (Even though it’s seasonal.

Another retired Leinie’s I used to like to drink back in the day. Here’s my take on it.
This was poured into a pint glass every time I had it.
The appearance was a hazy dark brown color with light red tints along the edges somewhat clear and allowing light streams of carbonation to be seen rising in the body.
The smell had a warming ginger, allspice and cinnamon running all about and underneath my nose through some light caramel malts.
The taste was a combination of the previously mentioned flavors and allowed a decent chocolate flavoring in the background.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium in body with a pretty good sessionability about it. The carbonation was fairly good for the style and for me.
Overall, nice brown ale with winter/autumn spices. Hopefully, one day, Leinie’s will bring this one back.

Not bad, just a brown ale. Nice caramel aroma and flavor, a touch nutty, clean, minimally hopped. A hint of astringency.

Bottle from Malt & Vine. Pours ruddy copper with a fizzy/creamy beige head. Aroma is quite nutty. Med body more or less. Flavor is hazelnut with chocolate notes. It’s an ok brew. Beats the main macro stuff. Finishes nearly dry and somewhat bitter.

Draft from Old Chicago poured into a shaker. Pours a nut brown with a half finger of off-white head. Aroma of light chocolate and caramel. Taste is light bitter. Again, chocolate and caramel. Light bodied and thin textured. Soft carbonation and an average finish. Overall, not bad. Nothing I would drink again but one helluva lot better than their summer "beer".

Safeway, DC sixer ($8): Pours a light brown color with a beige head that quickly peaces out on you. Basically roasted malt aroma; I don’t really get the maple, but there is a chocolate note or two. Taste is pretty bland, but full enough. Maltiness predominates of course. Very little is there in the way of the hop. A bit of sweetness, but I wouldn’t call this brew particularly sweet. Not bad; I was expecting something way worse.

12 oz bottle. Clear amber with small off-white head. Strange roasted smell, burnt nuts, burnt sugar, light malt. Taste mirrors the aroma however, all the flavors are subtle and very light. Not bad but nothing to notify the local newspaper about.