#16 of 1001 Brains Dark by S.A. Brain & Company

A few weeks ago I reviewed Brains SA and also discussed the differences between US and UK warning labels.  I specifically requested this beer from London because it is in the book, 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die (1001 (Universe)).  This is the 16th beer in my 1001 beers blogging series.

Brains Dark is known as a mild.  It was popular with blue collar workers throughout the UK until there was a decline in industry in the mid-20th century.  The style has remained popular in some areas such as Cardiff home to the S.A. Brain & Company brewery.  Brains claims the brew is the largest selling dark milk in Wales and was named one of the Top 50 Beers at the International Beer Challenge 2008.

Tasting Notes:
Pours a very dark brown almost black and creates a creamy head.  Aroma of chocolate and roasted malt.  There is slight smokiness mixed with more roasted and chocolate flavors.  The beer is thinner than you would expect, but overall a decent dark mild.

#15 of 1001 Brains S.A. by S.A. Brain & Company

I wrote yesterday about the differences between UK and American warning labels.  The label in yesterday's photo came from a can of Brains S.A..  Brains is the major brewery in Wales and apparently consumed like water by local rugby fans.  (Bro, a rugby player, attests to this.)  This beer is their flagship beer and personally I find it representative of what a pint of British beer should be.

Tasting Notes:
Poured from a bottle creating a amber with an appropriate head.  A malt nose, but a faint hop aroma.  A smooth ale with a nice balance between hops and malt, and a dry finish.

British vs. US Warning Labels

UK Warning Label

US Warning Label

Recently Bro made a journey to London and brought back Brains.  No, the Brits are not cannibals, Brains is one of the leading breweries in Wales.  One of the things we instantly picked up on were warning labels.  American labels tend to be, well wordy.  The UK labels are short and simple.  My personal favorite was the silhouette of a pregnant woman with the international no symbol over her.  The simplicity of this makes so much sense.  How many people stop to read or think about a wordy warning label.  Furthermore, those not fluent in English, illiterate or just ignorant quickly understand they should not be drinking this beer.

Both the British and American warning labels have two parts.  The British label does not warn you about driving or operating machinery.  The British seem to be more focused on how much you consume.  The label states that men should drink a maximum 2-4 units a day.  Now I only have a Brains can and bottle to base my analysis on, but it seems that UK craft beer is about 2 units.  I would assume something like Bud Light would count as fewer units.

I am making a personal note to look into this more.  Unfortunately, the imports sold in Chicago are packaged for Americans and lack the UK label.  If anything I think the American labels are likely weaker, or maybe different societies view labels differently.  If anyone has more insight I would appreciate you curing my curiosity!