In my experience, brown ales can be more bitter/balanced with herbal and tobacco notes complimenting the malt sweetness or they can be sweeter with nutty notes. Vertere Rubra English Brown Ale 4.5% Deep ruddy brown with a thick beige head that has decent staying power. The aroma is malty cocoa powder. The beer is medium to full bodied with a sweet caramel up front then a bitter cacao and slightly earthy/herbal hop bite. A touch woodsy. I’d say this is midway between the sweet and bitter types, a bit more on the bitter side but well balanced and enjoyable.

Nice stuff. Nice hoppiness in the background but with caramel maltiness.