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Fat Squirrel

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Hazelnut notes and a malty character mark this bottle-conditioned, unfiltered nut brown ale. Eight barley malts give it its toasted tawny hue, Pacific Northwest hops and aging on toasted oak provide the structure. The name comes from Brewmaster Dan, who came home one deceptively spring-like winter day talking about the fat squirrels running around the neighborhood. 5.8% ABV, 30 IBU.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
nuttymaltytoasty
nutty
malty
toasty
oak
hoppy
roasted
Aroma
Hazelnut dominates the nose, supported by warm toasted grain and subtle caramel sweetness.
also:caramel,bready
not found:juicy,chocolate,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fat Squirrel

◎ Appearance

Fat Squirrel presents a tawny amber hue with russet undertones, a result of eight barley malts and toasted oak aging. The unfiltered, bottle-conditioned character yields a soft haze that catches light pleasingly. A dense, persistent head forms with fine Schaumkleiden that clings to the glass throughout the pour.

tawny ambersoft hazefine lacingpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Hazelnut dominates the nose, supported by warm toasted grain and subtle caramel sweetness. The Pacific Northwest hops contribute gentle herbal and woody notes, while time on toasted oak adds layers of vanilla and light spice without overwhelming the malty foundation. The yeast contributes soft, earthy undertones that ground the profile.

hazelnut-forwardtoasted grainoak vanillaherbal hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with nutty maltiness and bready grain character that builds into a warm, toasted center. Oak influence is present but measured, lending structure and subtle tannin grip rather than dominance. Bitterness remains restrained at 30 IBU, allowing the interplay of hazelnut, caramel, and roasted notes to develop through the mid-palate.

nutty malttoasted oakbalanced bitternesscaramel backbone

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately persistent, with lingering hazelnut and a dry, toasted grain fade. Residual oak tannins leave a light astringency that complements rather than dominates the aftertaste.

dry oak finishlingering nuttiness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Fat Squirrel

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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 nutty, malty, toasty character as Fat Squirrel will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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