Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 6Pk

Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale 6-Pack is a 5.3% ABV American brown ale from Missoula, Montana, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Widely regarded as one of the most popular American brown ales in the country, Moose Drool holds an 84 score on BeerAdvocate across nearly 3,000 ratings and reviews.

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 its facility at 5417 Trumpeter Way in Missoula, Montana, founded by Bjorn Nabozney, Neal Leathers, and Brad Robinson. Moose Drool is built on a grain bill of 87% pale malt, 10% crystal malt, 2.8% chocolate malt, and 0.2% black malt — a notably higher pale malt ratio than most American brown ales, which gives the beer its clean drinkability beneath the roasted character. The hop profile relies on East Kent Goldings, Liberty, and Willamette varieties, all traditional English and American cultivars that provide restrained floral and spicy bitterness rather than aggressive hop-forward punch. Original gravity clocks in at 13 degrees Plato.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm caramel and candy sweetness rise first, followed by gentle cocoa and a hint of toasted grain. The English and American hop additions contribute a quiet floral undercurrent without dominating the malt-forward nose.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-driven, with roasted nut and warm brown sugar flavors arriving at mid-palate. Chocolate malt and a trace of coffee bitterness build toward the peak, balanced by the pale malt backbone that keeps the beer from turning heavy. A subtle wheat-toast edge rounds out the flavor profile.

Finish: Medium in length with a slightly dry, lightly bitter close reminiscent of burnt toast edges. Lingering cocoa and nut notes fade cleanly, inviting another sip without palate fatigue.

How to Drink Moose Drool

Moose Drool drinks best at 45–50°F, poured into a pint glass or English-style tulip to let the malt aromas open up. It stands on its own without embellishment, but it also works well in several classic beer cocktails. A Black and Tan layered with a dry stout plays off the chocolate malt character beautifully. A Brown Ale Shandy with fresh lemonade lightens the roast notes into a refreshing warm-weather drink. A Boilermaker paired alongside a pour of bourbon echoes the caramel and toasted grain notes in both the beer and the whiskey.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer newcomer to the brown ale style
• Pairing with a backyard barbecue or campfire cookout
• Stocking a Montana-themed beer fridge for game day
• Giving as a gift to a fan of malt-forward, sessionable ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Moose Drool taste like? Moose Drool is a malt-forward brown ale with prominent roasted nut, cocoa, and warm brown sugar flavors, balanced by a gentle coffee-like bitterness and a clean, slightly dry finish.

How does Moose Drool compare to Bell's Best Brown Ale? In direct comparisons, reviewers consistently describe Moose Drool as maltier and hoppier than Bell's Best Brown Ale, with more pronounced roasted character. Bell's tends to lean lighter and smoother, while Moose Drool delivers a fuller malt presence at a similar ABV.

Is Moose Drool good for beginners? Yes — its 5.3% ABV and approachable malt sweetness make it an excellent entry point into the brown ale category without overwhelming hop bitterness or heavy body.

Where is Moose Drool made? Moose Drool is brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company at their facility on Trumpeter Way in Missoula, Montana, in the heart of the Northern Rockies.

What foods pair well with Moose Drool? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the roasted malt backbone. Aged cheddar mirrors the caramel sweetness. Grilled portobello mushrooms echo the earthy cocoa tones. Pecan pie amplifies the nutty, brown sugar notes. A classic bacon cheeseburger is a natural match for the ale's balanced bitterness.

What sizes does Moose Drool come in? Moose Drool is widely available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, and Big Sky Brewing also distributes it in 12-packs and on draft.

Is Moose Drool worth the price? Moose Drool positions as an accessible, everyday craft brown ale — priced in the entry-level craft tier, it delivers reliable quality and consistent flavor that justifies its standing as one of the top-selling American brown ales in the country.

Why Moose Drool?

What separates Moose Drool from the crowded American brown ale field is its grain bill architecture — that 87% pale malt base creates a cleaner, more drinkable frame than competitors that lean harder on specialty malts. The combination of East Kent Goldings, Liberty, and Willamette hops gives it a balanced, transatlantic hop character that nods to English tradition without abandoning American craft sensibility. With an 84 on BeerAdvocate and over 131,000 ratings on Untappd, it has earned its reputation through sheer volume of drinker approval rather than hype. For a brown ale that rewards repeated drinking without ever becoming monotonous, Moose Drool remains a benchmark of the style.