Nut Roll Ale is a spiced nut brown ale with 5% ABV from Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Brewing Co. and is available as a winter seasonal.
Nut Roll pours to a semi-dark brown color that allows some light to pass through it while only a thin off white head is produced that leaves very little lacing on the glass. There’s a subtly sweet aroma, with roasted malt being the predominant scent, with some light hints of cinnamon and vanilla.
Roasted malt sweetness and a small amount of hop bitterness lead off this brew, but any bitterness quickly fades into an enjoyable nuttiness. This ale is best served closer to room temperature as the lighter cinnamon and vanilla really begin to come through as the beer warms. Regardless of temperature the finish is nice with some lingering spice, but is also quite crisp as a result of a considerable amount of carbonation.
Overall this is a nice snacking beer to add while diving into some Christmas cookies, nut roll (obviously) or coffee cake. Its sweetness is understated and nuanced with spices so that it differs from some of the dessert beers traditionally available in the winter.
