Brawler Pugilist Style Ale - Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia

The packaging for this beer isn't terribly informative so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from Yards' Brawler. The label says this is a "Pugilist Style Ale" which isn't particularly helpful. What does that mean? You'll get belligerent and start throwing punches like an old timey boxer? The neck label is a little more informative, saying that this is brewed in the style of an English session beer that is meant to be mild so you can "go a few rounds." That description is pretty apt, this beer is light in alcohol and not as heavy, texture-wise, as you might expect from an English style ale.

This beer is truly underwhelming once you get down to drinking it. For starters, the aroma is practically nonexistent... The Brawler smells dirty, like a sack of potatoes or a bushel of hay. The flavor is similarly lacking. It's not that this beer tastes bad, it just doesn't have any strong flavors. There's a little spice in here and the flavor is similar to a lighter rye beer. The finish is pretty smooth and faintly malty.

All in all, this isn't a bad beer... there just isn't anything special about this beer. Yards could do a better job of letting you know this is a session beer, a lighter and more mild ale, so you know exactly what you're getting.