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Charlie Brewn

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A deep ruby brown ale at 5.2%, brewed with English hops that provide a hedgerow fruit aroma. Rye adds depth of flavour to this rich, malty dark ale. In 2024 it took Silver in the amber, brown and red ale class of the SIBA competition. Charlie Brewn is one of nine occasional beers in the range of Charnwood Brewery in Loughborough.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Silver · 2024
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands)
Amber, Brown & Red Ale
★Silver — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands) (Amber, Brown & Red Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyfruitydark fruit
malty
fruity
dark fruit
spicy
earthy
toasty
Aroma
The nose opens with hedgerow fruit character—blackberry and plum notes—delivered by the English hops, supported by gentle floral undertones.
also:nutty,caramel,bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Charlie Brewn

◎ Appearance

Charlie Brewn presents a deep ruby-brown hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass with deliberate lacing. The color sits at the darker end of the brown ale spectrum, reflecting the rye's contribution to its visual depth. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a composed presentation.

deep ruby-brownclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with hedgerow fruit character—blackberry and plum notes—delivered by the English hops, supported by gentle floral undertones. Beneath this sits a warm, biscuity Malz foundation with hints of toasted grain. The rye adds a subtle spiciness that ties the aromatic layers together without dominating.

hedgerow fruitblackberry, plumbiscuity maltsubtle spice

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty, with the rye contributing a dry, slightly peppery mid-palate complexity that builds the beer's overall structure. English hops provide a restrained bitterness (24 IBU) that balances rather than asserts, allowing the rich, toasted Malz character to remain central. The finish is clean, with lingering notes of dark grain and a whisper of hedgerow fruit.

malty entryrye spicerestrained bitternesstoasted grain

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is moderate in length, drying gently without harshness. A pleasant echo of English hop fruit fades to a dry, grainy close that invites another sip.

moderate dryinglingering hop fruit
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
80
Finish
77
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Charlie Brewn

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About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, rich, fruity character as Charlie Brewn will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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