Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 12Pk

Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 12Pk is a 12-pack of the flagship American brown ale from Big Sky Brewing Company, brewed in Missoula, Montana, at 5.3% ABV. Widely regarded as one of the most popular American brown ales in the country, Moose Drool has earned more than 131,000 ratings on Untappd and remains a benchmark for the style in the American craft beer landscape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.3%  |  Origin: Missoula, Montana, USA  |  Style: American Brown Ale  |  Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Big Sky Brewing Company operates out of Missoula, Montana, and has built its reputation largely on the strength of Moose Drool, the brewery's best-known release. The grain bill features a four-malt combination of pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black malts, which generates the ale's layered malt complexity. Hop additions come from East Kent Goldings, Willamette, and Liberty varieties — a restrained, traditionally rooted hop trio chosen to balance the malt sweetness rather than compete with it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet molasses and chocolate chip cookies dominate the nose, supported by a subtle spice contributed by the hop additions. There is an underlying warmth of toasted grain that rounds out the initial impression.

Taste: The entry is medium-bodied and decidedly malty, with chocolate chip cookie and caramel flavors arriving first. Mid-palate, cocoa and toasted nut notes develop, followed by a gentle molasses sweetness. The hops provide just enough bitterness to prevent the malt from becoming cloying, creating a well-balanced center of gravity.

Finish: The finish is light and satisfying, with lingering cocoa and a trace of coffee-like roast. It fades clean, inviting another sip without heaviness.

How to Drink Moose Drool

Moose Drool is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a pint glass or English-style tulip to concentrate its malt aromas. A Brown Ale Float — pairing the beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — plays off the chocolate and caramel malt sweetness for a dessert-style serve. A Michelada variation using Moose Drool brings its toasted malt notes into a savory, spiced context. For a simple beer cocktail, a Black and Brown — layering a stout over Moose Drool — adds roast depth while keeping the nutty, caramel foundation intact.

Best For

• Stocking a fall or winter fridge with a reliable, everyday brown ale
• Introducing someone new to craft beer with a malt-forward, approachable style
• Pairing with grilled or smoked foods at a backyard cookout
• Gifting a Montana beer enthusiast or someone exploring American brown ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Moose Drool taste like? Moose Drool is a malt-driven brown ale with dominant chocolate, caramel, and toasted nut flavors balanced by subtle hop bitterness. It finishes light and clean with lingering cocoa notes.

How does Moose Drool compare to Bell's Best Brown Ale? Both are leading American brown ales, but Moose Drool leans more heavily into chocolate and caramel malt sweetness with a lighter finish, while Bell's Best Brown tends toward a slightly hoppier, nuttier profile. Moose Drool's four-malt grain bill gives it a richer malt complexity at a comparable ABV.

Is Moose Drool good for beginners? Moose Drool is an excellent entry point into craft beer — its malt sweetness and moderate 5.3% ABV make it approachable without sacrificing flavor depth or complexity.

Where is Moose Drool made? Moose Drool is brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula, Montana. The brewery is one of Montana's most recognized craft operations and distributes across much of the western and central United States.

What foods pair well with Moose Drool? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the beer's caramel and toasted malt character. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda mirrors its nutty notes. Grilled burgers work naturally alongside its medium body. Chocolate brownies or pecan pie echo the cocoa and nut flavors in the grain bill.

What sizes does Moose Drool come in? Moose Drool is widely available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans or bottles, as well as six-packs and individual pints on draft at many bars and restaurants.

Is Moose Drool worth the price? Moose Drool positions as a solid everyday craft beer at a mainstream price tier, delivering more malt complexity than most macro brown ales while remaining accessible in 12-pack format for regular drinking.

Why Moose Drool?

The combination of four specialty malts — pale, caramel, chocolate, and whole black — gives Moose Drool a layered malt profile that most brown ales in its price range simply don't achieve. Its three-hop blend of East Kent Goldings, Willamette, and Liberty adds structure without pulling the beer away from its malt-forward identity. With over 131,000 Untappd ratings and a reputation as one of America's top brown ales, Moose Drool has proven its staying power in a category where many competitors come and go. It remains a reliable standard-bearer for what a well-executed American brown ale should taste like.