93 Mañana Mexican Style Amber Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 5.2% ABV (11/09)
Rich copper color. Fresh grain, haystack and toffee aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a rich, dry, medium-full body with very pure multigrain nut bread toast and delicate dried fruit notes. Finishes with a crisp, lengthy roasted root vegetable and mossy earth hop fade. A great food beer.
92 Elliot Ness Lager, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 6.2% ABV (10/08)
Deep reddish amber color. Caramelized dates, figs and orange aromas have a spicy citrusy hop edge and follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with praline, anise and candied grapefruit accents and a long, peppery spice, candied nut and straw-like hop fade. A delicious and thoroughly refreshing amber lager.
92 Amber Czech Lager, Bernard (Czech Republic). 4.7% ABV (10/07)
Deep copper brown color. Roasted nut, crusty banana pie and burnt sugar aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a smooth, dry, medium-to-full body of roasted grain, nut toast, dried banana and citrus marmalade flavors with a long, crisp and earthy hop finish. Great balance and drinkability.
90 Samuel Adams Boston Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of apricot butter on raisin toast follow through on round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with excellent balance and vibrancy. Finishes with a long nutty praline and earthy citrusy hop fade. An excellent refreshing beer with nice complexity.
90 Morena, Tijuana TJ (Mexico). (10/07)
Deep burnished copper mahogany color. Sweet caramelized roasted nuts and mocha aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of dates, dark chocolate and raisin flavors. Finishes with a crisp, nutshell and mocha spice fade. Very nice.
90 Baltijos Dark Beer, Svyturys (Lithuania). 6% ABV (10/08)
Deep amber color with pillowy taupe head. Eucalyptus honey on pumpernickel aromas follow through on a soft, creamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with toasty praline and delicate spice notes. Finishes with a crisp toffeed fade with a hint of sautéed turnip.
90 Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), Roscoe’s Hop House (USA). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden amber color. Aromas of peach jam on rye toast follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent balance and smoothness. Finishes in a pleasant baked apple and pear tart-accented fade with crisp, lemongrass-like hops. Very nice.
90 150 Anniversario Birra Ambrata, Menabrea SPA (Italy). 5% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of caramelized, toasted pumpernickel and raisin oat bread follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with crisp green apple, pear and citrus notes. Finishes with a very crisp and dry, dimensional, roasted nut and earthy hop fade. Will work great at the table with braised meats.
89 Beniaka, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 7% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Toasted nut and candied yam aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to an off-dry, medium body of cinnamon raisin toast and sweet potato pie flavors with a citrus marmalade fade and a breath of minerally hops. Curious, but very fun!
89 Wingwalker Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), City Brewing Co. (WI). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Bright amber color. Lightly yeasty, honeyed orange pound cake crust and raisin-peach chutney aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry, medium body with hints of cocoa-dusted orange peel and turmeric. Finishes with a tangy, citrus and grassy, earthy hop fade. Very distinctly orangy amber lager; pair with spicy Asian beef and duck dishes.
89 Belle Rouse Red Amber, Bowes (Canada). 5% ABV (10/07) %{Brewpub}
Deep burnished amber color. Candied yam, chocolate-covered cherry and caramelized nut aromas. A brisk frothy entry leads to a fruity medium body of orange honeyed toast, dried fruit, cocoa flavors with a tangy chocolate-covered citrus and nut fade. Tasty.
88 Pre-Prohibition Style Amber Lager, Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. (NE). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Pretty golden amber color. Interesting mild aromas of buttery toffee and pound cake follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with clean toasted grain and nut notes. Finishes with a gentle, delicate melon, baked bean and grass-accented hop fade. An easy drinking session or banquet style beer.
88 Bufadora, Tijuana TJ (Mexico). (11/07)
Deep copper color. Vibrant toffee, marzipan and date bread aromas follow through to a supple, chewy medium-to-full body of honeyed raisin nut rum cake and mild chocolate flavor with a bold citrus marmalade and hay-like hop fade. A very tasty and balanced amber lager.
88 Annie’s Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Copper color. Bright grapefruity and piney hops and pie crust aromas follow through on a round, vibrant entry to a dryish medium body with vigorous pale ale hop character and a touch of grass, bread crust, treacle and minerals on the finish.
88 Amber Lager, Trouble Brewing (USA). 5% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber color. Aromas of honeyed raisin bread toast and peach butter follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with nice depth and balance. Finishes with a lemon curd, applesauce and dry hay-like hop fade. A fruity take on an amber lager style and a very tasty one.
86 Stejar Pilsner, Ursus Breweries (Romania). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden amber color with a high foamy head. Mild frosted cereal and creamy nougat aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with melon custard and caramel-drizzled grapefruit accents on the zesty, honeyed nut finish. Nice balance and style, if a little too light in color for the style.
86 Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), Tap Room 21 (USA). 5.5% ABV (11/09)
Bright amber color. Aromas of dark bread toast and faint brown sugar follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with toasty praline and baked fruit tart notes. Finishes with a crisp, wheatgrass-like hop and caramel fade.
86 Amber Ale (brewed as a lager), Cable Car (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Bright amber color. Toasty freshly baked Hawaiian bread and praline aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with peach butter and dried citrus notes on the crisp, doughy grassy hop finish.
84 Swiss Style Amber Lager, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (10/08)
Rich copper amber color with a lacy head. Cocoa-dusted praline with hints of dried peach and orange marmalade follow through on a soft, gentle entry to a dryish medium body with nut skin and pumpernickel notes. Finishes with crisp, citrus peel and mossy earth fade.
84 Brava Lager, Tijuana TJ (Mexico). (10/07)
Deep burnished amber color. Buttery, roasted nut aromas are attractive. Round, crisp entry. Dry, medium body of burnt toast and dried citrus peel flavors with a crisp, smooth, lightly metallic finish.
84 Amber Lager, Steel Kettle Whistle (USA). 4.6% ABV (11/09)
Deep old gold color. Aromas of praline and floral honeyed toast follow through on a round, soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with hints of pear skin and milk sugar. Finishes with a crisp, dried grass and dusty gravel fade. Not very amber lager-like, but decent.
83 Point Classic Amber, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.7% ABV (10/08)
Deep amber copper color. Buttery brioche and orange custard aromas follow through on a round froth entry to a dryish medium body with nice lively flavors and a zippy meringue, apple, and wet cement fade.
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