93 St. Rogue Dry Hopped Red, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber color. Pine tree and grapefruit peel aromas follow through on a bright, lively entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with cocoa-dusted citrus and toasty fruitcake flavors. Finishes with a refreshing tart kumquat custard and juniper fade. A rich and delicious, zesty amber ale to serve with teriyaki.
92 Green Lakes Organic Ale, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant amber color with a lacy head. Brown butter roasted nut and circus peanut aromas follow through on a round, soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with tangy orange cream and mossy tree bark notes. Finishes with a tart, astringent grapefruit rind and honeyed orange marmalade fade. A deliciously fresh and vibrant amber ale with rounded, pure flavors and a mellow texture.
92 Captain Sig’s Deadliest Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.9% ABV (2/09)
Burnished deep amber color with a resilient blanket of fine foam. Complex aromas of orange-raisin-fig compote and roasted grains and root vegetables follow through on a supple, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great mellow balance and superb integration for fruit, nut and appropriate vegetable and earth nuances. Finishes with a long, rub grapefruit peel and river stone fade. A decidedly British styled amber ale with a full body and resonant core of American hops.
91 Santa’s Private Reserve Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber color with a lingering fine mousse. Rich aromas of buttery praline, cocoa-dusted orange peel, compacted dry spices and earth follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with hints of sautéed root vegetables and Swiss chard. Finishes with a vibrant, resinous, tart citrus and pine needle inflected fade. A bold, hoppy and spicy amber ale to enjoy at the table with spicy fajitas and moles. 01
91 Organic Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (2/07)
Beautiful golden amber color. Sweet date, raisin, caramel and toast aromas are deliciously inviting. A silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of raisin nut toast and wildflower honey flavors. Finishes with a long, sweet and salty nut and dry caramel fade. Great balance and a silky elegant, style.
90 Amber Ale, Cucapa (Mexico). 5.2% ABV (2/07)
Deep golden amber color with a frothy white head. Rich aromas of caramel, roasted grains and earthy, citrusy hop aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of candied citrus peels, mild spice, flan and toasted grains. Finishes with a long, nutty, citrus-accented, piney fresh hop fade. Nicely balanced and refreshing with very good depth of flavor.
90 100 Meter Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.2% ABV (2/08)
Deep copper brown color. Earthy sweaty hops, buttery chocolate and mineral aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish, almost syrupy medium-full body of thick resiny hop, molasses and charred citrus flavors. Finishes with a buttered herb, cocoa nib and piney hop fade. An intensely earthy and hoppy amber ale, best served with hearty grilled meat dishes.
89 Stone Levitation Ale, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 4.4% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Resinous piney hop and grapefruit aromas dominate the nose. A supple frothy entry leads to a broad, medium-full body of smoky piney hops covering a dark caramel and rye toast palate. Finishes with a campfire like minerality and persistent hop oils. A hop head’s delight!
88 Kilgubbin Red Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 4.5% ABV (2/08)
Brilliant deep amber color. Charred peanuts, raisins and wet clay aromas. A crisp entry leads to a dry medium body of dark roasted nuts, brown sugar and tangy dried fruits. Finishes with lovely and refreshing dry praline and clay-like hop finish. A pure, refreshing take on the style.
88 Full Sail Amber, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.5% ABV (2/09)
Rich amber color. Mellow soft toasted cereal and custard aromas and flavors with a round, lager-like texture and dry grain, mineral and orange accents. Very refreshing.
88 Famous Red Ale, Joseph Huber Brewing Co. (WI). (3/08)
Pure amber color with a faint bubble head. Toasted nuts, praline and faint dried peach aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of caramel-drizzled dried fruit, toasted Brazil nuts and honeyed toast. Finishes with a crisp tangy caramel apple fade.
88 American Amber Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.3% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant amber copper color with a fine blanket of mousse. Aromas of toasted grain, flan and dried citrus peels mesh well and follow through on a satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with lively orange and grapefruit sherbet, dark roasted nut and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a penetration pine and grapefruit rind fade. Rock solid amber ale.
87 Smoking Mole Ale, Hideji Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Pale amber color. Delicate caramel, honeyed toast and nougat aromas. A frothy crisp entry leads to a dryish, round and even light-to-medium body of caramelized nuts and cereal with balanced earthy hops. Very smooth and tasty.
87 Mestiza Amber Ale, Cucapa (Mexico). 7.3% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Toffee, spiced nuts, wet grain and mildly sour vegetable aromas follow through to a creamy, dryish medium body with a zesty dryish palate with dried corn, caramel, bittersweet cocoa and bittering hops on the finish. Nice depth of flavor with interesting rusticity.
87 Gastown Amber Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5.5% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Fruity, buttery caramel fudge aromas. A crisp frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-full body of tangy citrus, toasted nuts, dried fruits and caramel flavors with a lively, nutty, mild hop fade.
84 Truly Honest Amber Ale, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 6% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Copper brown color. Aromas of cherry syrup and melted three musketeer bars have a light plastic note and follow through on a round entry to a off-dry medium body with salted nuts notes and a toasty, hop kissed finish.
84 Boerne Bernstein Amber Ale, Dodging Duck Brewhaus (TX). (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep mahogany color. Nutty toffee and Nutella on toast aromas follow through on a frothy entry to a moderately sweet medium body with honeyed grain and tangy taro root and kale notes. Finishes with a wispy slightly prickly cocoa, potato bread dough, aspartame and grapefruit fade.
84 Albion Amber Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.5% ABV (2/09)
Dark amber copper color with a lacy head. Curious aromas of soy sauce, toffee and roasted beets follow through on a brisk, round entry to a sweet and sour medium body with burnt sugar, nut skin, turnip and pewter notes. Finishes with an earthy honeyed nut, cocoa and root veggie fade. Interesting flavors, but not integrated.
83 Steelhead Red Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 5.6% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color with a thin blanket of foam. Bread dough and brown sugar aromas follow through on a soft, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with wet grain, honeyed cinnamon raisin toast notes and a chewy orange marmalade, praline and catsup-accented finish.
83 Phoenix Red, Etna Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (2/07)
Copper amber color. Cheese rind, toasted grain and lightly piney hop aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dry medium-body of roasted grains and dried citrus flavors with a quick, dusty fade.
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