Newcastle Brown Ale has been around for quite a while (Great Britain’s Newcastle Breweries was founded in the 1920s), and I first tried it in college. This was back in the day when I – and many Americans – had no clue of the different variety of beers available throughout the world, so I would often drink the cheapest thing I could find. I do remember greatly enjoying the Brown Ale – even enough to drink it when it wasn’t on special.

Now that the U.S. craft beer culture – along with  my palette and knowledge of beers – has developed, I’ve not often found myself going back to those college days drinks. However, Newcastle is one that has withstood the test of time, so I was excited to try their newly released Founders' Ale. The beer is described by the brewer as a “full-bodied, drinkable brew with dry, hoppy, roasted flavors,” and is one of four, small-batch, limited releases from the brewery.

This English-style ale celebrates Newcastle’s five founding Victorian-era brewers. The pour is a light copper without much foamy head. The smell is somewhat earthy, caramel, and malty. The taste follows the nose – sweet and malty, very lightly hopped with the Styrian Goldings strain, which provides a nice crispness and no real bitterness (only 20 IBUs). This beer is pretty much the opposite of extreme – instead, it’s a very mild, sessionable  brew that comes in at just 4.8% ABV.

This winter marks the first time Founders' Ale is available in the U.S, and it will be sold through April in six- and twelve-packs, so pick some up while you can. You’ll find yourself enjoying it as the cold days of winter start warming towards the spring.